Shortly after Hurricane Helene, Haywood Community College, Southwestern Community College and nine of their Western North Carolina counterparts got together to consider the unique needs of the region, eventually settling on the necessity to route students toward solid, sustainable employment.
Aptly titled the Good Jobs Western North Carolina Program, the initiative funds one of three focus sectors at partner institutions: healthcare, skilled trades or advanced manufacturing. According to President Shelley White, HCC chose skilled trades, investing in relevant equipment, facility improvements and expansion. SCC, with campuses in Swain, Jackson and Macon counties, opted for two employment areas: a healthcare-aligned evening Licensed Professional Nursing program and a skilled trades-aligned HVAC daytime program.
“Supported by a Good Jobs WNC grant, SCC will enroll an initial cohort of 10 [LPN] students in Year 1 and expand to full capacity with 20 students per cohort by Year 2,” wrote Dean of Workforce Continuing Education Scott Sutton in an email to The Smoky Mountain News.
