HICKORY, N.C. — Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) has been awarded a $25,000 workforce development grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to support its Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program. The grant is part of a $500,000 investment in 19 North Carolina community colleges aimed at building a pipeline of skilled workers for the state’s growing energy and infrastructure sectors.

The funding will support new and existing initiatives that provide students with hands-on experience, industry-recognized credentials, and direct connections to regional employers. With an emphasis on developing a talent pipeline aligned with energy infrastructure and technical careers, CVCC is helping bridge the gap between education and workforce needs in the Catawba Valley region.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Duke Energy Foundation for their generous $25,000 workforce development grant, which will directly support our HVAC program. This funding will allow us to enhance our training resources, expand hands-on learning opportunities, and better prepare our students for the high-demand careers in the HVAC industry,” said Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, President of Catawba Valley Community College.

This grant aligns with CVCC’s mission to provide workforce-focused education and experiential learning opportunities that meet local and regional labor demands. The HVAC program, a key offering within CVCC’s School of Career & Technical Education, emphasizes real-world application, industry partnerships, and credential attainment.

“As our state and industry continue to grow, North Carolina’s community colleges are helping us meet the moment,” said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “As technologies change and we modernize our energy fleet, we want talent here in the state to help us support our communities and build a smarter energy future for customers.”

Jennifer Jones, Executive Director of the CVCC Foundation, stated “because of Duke Energy’s partnership, CVCC can provide state-of-the-art training to ensure our students are equipped with the skills, knowledge and certifications they need to thrive in this evolving industry.  We remain grateful for Duke’s continued support.”

For more information about the HVAC program or other workforce training opportunities at CVCC, visit here.

Media Contact:
Jennifer Cobb
Executive Director, Red Hawk Communications
Catawba Valley Community College
[email protected] | 828-327-7000

 

Photo (l to r): Dr. Garrett D. Hinshaw, CVCC President; Robin Nicholson, Government and Community Relations District Manager at Duke Energy; Jennifer Jones, Chief Development Officer, CVCC and Executive Director, CVCC Foundation, Inc.

 

Catawba Valley Community College empowers students to transform our region and our state by providing exceptional learning experiences, premier workforce development, and personal enrichment opportunities. Learn how you can SOAR at cvcc.edu.