This award provided funding to Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) to assist in the construction of a 30,000 square foot Construction Trades Solution Center with labs and classroom space to house the construction trades program. The Center offers training in carpentry, masonry, electrical technologies, HVAC, plumbing, and green construction principles. WPCC offers the programs through continuing education and curriculum programs, allowing students to earn stackable certificates in specific skill areas. Caldwell Community College and Catawba Valley Community College are project collaborators. In addition, WPCC is developing Career and College Promise pathways in construction trades/heavy equipment and estimates 85 high school Career and Technical Education students from the Alexander, Burke, and Catawba county school districts will participate in the program. The Center also serves new traditional post-secondary students, new job seekers, and incumbent workers. Five-year projections for the regional workforce need in construction trades are at a critical point, with 3,734 openings for the period. Golden LEAF funds were used for construction-related costs.
