State Board of Community Colleges approves $5 million for high-cost workforce programs
RALEIGH – The State Board of Community Colleges approved the allocation of more than $5 million Friday to support the creation of new high-cost workforce programs at North Carolina community Colleges.
Fourteen colleges applied and were awarded funding based on their full-time enrollment. The total amount allocated was $5.2 million. The approved colleges and programs/courses included:
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical, Robotic Welding
- Bladen, Culinary Arts
- Brunswick, Dental Assisting
- Caldwell, Substation Technician
- Central Carolina (partnering with Randalph and Sandhills community colleges), Truck Driver Training
- Isothermal, Industrial Cybersecurity
- James Sprunt, Machining Technology
- Johnston, Culinary Arts
- Lenoir, Aviation Systems Technology
- Richmond, Surgical Technologists
- Rockingham, Certified Production Technician
- Rowan-Cabarrus, BioWork & Aseptic Manufacturing
- Sampson, Heavy Equipment Operations
- Tri-County, Heavy Equipment Operations
The funding will build capacity for workforce training in high-demand occupations where unmet employer demand exists.
“The funds and support of the North Carolina General Assembly demonstrates our shared commitment to build strong workforce programs across our state in the industries that are growing and critical to future economic growth,” said Burr Sullivan, Chairman of the State Board of Community Colleges. “High-cost programs are often too pricey for colleges to quickly implement and this financial support allows them to move immediately to address workforce needs and showcase the world-class dexterity and quality of our colleges.”
Other Action Items
Professional Development Network: The State Board approved $1.275 million to support the creation and launch of a Professional Development Facilitator Network that provides comprehensive, statewide development opportunities for instructors to better teach English learners. Durham Technical Community College is the lead institution for the project.
Personnel: The State Board approved the following new hires:
- Rondra McMillan, BioBetter Grant Director. On September 2, 2022, the US Department of Labor Economic Development Administration (EPA) awarded the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) $16.4 million to advance life science careers among the state’s underserved and Latino populations, to recruit and train individuals to be biomanufacturing industry trainers and grow capacity of ten consortium colleges heavily involved in serving the state’s life science industry. The BioBetter Grant Director will administer and manage the BioBetter grant awarded to Customized Training and BioNetwork of NCCCS, while also engaging and assisting individual community colleges involved in the associated grants.
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About the North Carolina Community College System
The North Carolina Community College System is a network created to improve the quality of life across North Carolina by opening the door to opportunities that minimize barriers to post-secondary education, maximize student success and develop a globally and multi-culturally competent workforce. The 58 institutions located throughout the state work to provide easy access to low-cost, high-quality educational opportunities and academic support that focuses on increasing employability. For more information, please visit: www.nccommunitycolleges.edu.
