HICKORY, N.C. — Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) is proud to announce its selection as one of ten North Carolina community colleges chosen to lead the statewide expansion of Careers Electric™ Training Network. Supported by an investment from the Siemens Foundation and Careers Electric™ Coalition partners, this program is designed to bridge critical electrical skills gaps and prepare workers for North Carolina’s rapidly growing energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. The expansion follows a successful pilot at Wake Technical Community College.

CVCC was one of the ten NC Community Colleges selected following a rigorous Request for Proposals (RFP) process that included 32 of the state’s 58 community colleges applying.

“We are honored to be selected as a leader in the Careers Electric™ Training Network and to help strengthen North Carolina’s workforce,” said Garrett D. Hinshaw, President of Catawba Valley Community College. “This partnership allows us to expand access to opportunity for our students while playing a meaningful role in shaping the future workforce of our region.”

As a selected partner, CVCC will receive $250,000 in flexible, performance-based funding to modernize its curriculum, enhance recruitment efforts, and provide robust support services for students. The initiative aims to prepare 25,000 North Carolinians over the next decade for essential roles in the state’s workforce. Ramie Robinson, Department Head for CVCC Construction Trades and Engineering Technologies, expressed gratitude for the investment and its potential to expand program capacity. “This funding allows us to enhance our training environments, expand hands-on learning opportunities, and better equip students with the skills needed to succeed in the electrical workforce from day one.”

“The selection of these ten colleges marks a pivotal moment in our mission to expand access to training and create a sustainable electrical workforce,” said David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation. “North Carolina has proven to be the ideal setting to pilot this national model. We are excited to see these institutions open doors to additional students and equip workers with the skill set to obtain well-paying jobs in the electrical trades, and to power the future of American innovation.”

“Being selected as one of only 10 community colleges for the Careers Electric™ grant is a significant honor,” stated Randy Burns, Senior Executive Director for CVCC Campus Centers. “More importantly, it represents meaningful, life-changing opportunities for the students we serve in both Catawba and Alexander Counties.”

The program is a collaborative effort involving the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), the NC Community College Foundation, Wake Tech Community College, EVITP, and the Families and Workers Fund.

For more information about the Electrical Systems Technology program at CVCC, please visit the Electrical Systems Technology program page.