Workforce Development
Western North Carolina has an extremely strong and adaptable clean energy workforce development platform that will ensure that you have a well-trained and highly productive pipeline of talent. The strength of this platform starts with the North Carolina Community College system, consistently one of the most highly regarded systems in the country. As a matter of state policy, there is a community college within a 30-minute drive of every state resident. In WNC alone, there are more than 11 different high-quality community colleges and most of these have more than one branch location. Most of these have existing clean energy curricula, with many more offerings in development. The NC Community College system’s green curricula is so progressive, that some programs are attracting students from across the country. Some of the more significant programs are listed below, but you should always inquire with your local school to see what they’re currently offering and how they can develop new trainings if needed to meet your requirements.
As well, regionally empowered workforce development boards work with local industry to ensure that the training exists to meet local needs. The region is also home to three University of North Carolina system universities and numerous private colleges. This commitment to a world-class skilled workforce has a direct impact on business: NC workers are 10% more productive than the average US worker. Learn more about workforce resources available to you by exploring the assets below.
Community College Programs | Universities & Colleges | Other Workforce Programs
Community College Programs
Code Green Initiative
Presidents from across the NC Community College system have joined together and formed Code Green, a system-wide initiative to lead the way in the greening of all of NC’s community colleges. Code Green has two simple goals: 1) Create the most innovative and productive green workforce and 2) Become the model of sustainability for our communities. As an early action, they have launched a Super Curriculum Improvement Project to develop world-class green curriculum and continuing education programs in six sectors: energy, transportation, engineering technology, environment, and building.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
AB Tech has been engaged in supporting clean energy and green businesses for many years. Some of their core efforts include the Global Institute for Sustainable Technologies, a new Sustainable Technologies Associates degree program (first in the state!), BioNetwork BioBusiness Center, comprehensive green-focused continuing education courses and assisting green businesses through the AB Tech Small Business Center & Incubator. AB Tech is also currently building a model green home on campus that will demonstrate many green building technologies including some regionally produced ones.
Blue Ridge Community College
Blue Ridge Community College is currently developing alternative vehicles and fuels training programs as well as incorporating green technologies in their Environmental Science, and Construction trades programs. The college is also actively developing green business networks (see: Green Alliance of Henderson County and Green Alliance of Transylvania County) through their Small Business Center.
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
CCC&TI is making great strides in offering green trainings in the building sciences and other disciplines. They are in the process of establishing a Sustainability Institute to house their green programs. They are also active leaders in the Caldwell Green Commission, a community effort focused on green opportunities in Caldwell County.
Haywood Community College
Haywood Community College has been a sustainability leader within the region and statewide. Haywood’s President, Dr. Rose Johnson, currently chairs the statewide Code Green initiative of the NC Community College system to develop green curriculum and facility greening programs for all of the state’s community colleges. Their commitment to green is reflected in their tagline “Creativity, Entrepreneurship & Sustainability”. The sustainability page on their website details some of their campus green initiatives. Haywood Community College’s leadership has also been instrumental in supporting the development of the Green Business Initiative at the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce.
Isothermal Community College
Degree & certification programs of interest: Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship
Mayland Community College
Getting its name from the three counties it serves (Mitchell, Avery, Yancey), Mayland Community College offers innovative courses in Alternative Agriculture focusing on new crops and micropropagation.
McDowell Technical Community College
McDowell Tech has new programs for the public related to conservation, energy conservation, alternative fuel usage for business and industry, etc.
Southwestern Community College
Degree & certification programs of interest: Civil Engineering Technology – Environmental Impact Issues and Policies, Recycling
Tri-County Community College
Tri-County Community College operates the Center for Applied Technology. The center is used for classes and short-run manufacturing, plus provides space for manufacturers to develop prototypes for contracted items. The Center provides facilities for workforce development in the community and houses the college’s Small Business Center, the Machinist Training Program, and Associate Degree programs in Electrical/Electronics Technology and Machining Technology.
Western Piedmont Community College
Degree & certification programs of interest: Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Construction Techniques, Alternative Energy
Wilkes Community College
Wilkes Community College is teaching courses with electric hybrid fuel cells and has a biodiesel unit for production that is used with curriculum.
Universities & Colleges
Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University continues to lead and innovate in the teaching of clean energy disciplines. The university is home to one of the nation’s first degree programs in renewable energy technology, and remains one of a handful of schools in the world that offers a Masters-level degree in renewable energy technology. ASU also runs the Energy Center which conducts energy research and applied program activities in a multi-disciplinary environment. The Center, working through faculty, staff and students, has programs in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy technology, biofuels, policy analysis, forecasting, and economic development. Other university activities include the Small Wind Research Center, the Biodiesel Center, and the Research Institute for Environment, Energy and Economics.
University of North Carolina Asheville
UNC Asheville is a leading liberal arts university, that also has strong concentrations in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Policy, Environmental Economics, and other clean energy related disciplines.
Western Carolina University
Have a new green innovative technology that you want to learn how to commercialize? Western Carolina University offers the first Masters in Entrepreneurship in the University of North Carolina System and the United States, and one of only six in the world at this time. WCU has many other strong programs ranging from Chemistry to Technology to Project Management.
Warren Wilson College
Recently ranked by US News as one of 10 Eco-Friendly College Campus, Warren Wilson has been a long time leader in adopting sustainable practices. Clean energy related curricula includes Sustainable Economic Development, Environmental Chemistry, Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Forestry, and much more. Warren Wilson also runs the influential Environmental Leadership Center.
Other Workforce Programs
On-the-Job Training (OJT)
On-the-Job Training (OJT), through the workforce development JobLink Career Centers, combines training resources with employment opportunities to enable a more highly skilled workforce, while responding to the human resources needs of new and existing companies. The company is compensated on a cost reimbursement basis for up to 50% of a new employee’s wages for a period of time.
Customized Job Training
The North Carolina Community College System offers free, customized job training for new and expanding businesses. Two programs include 1) The New and Expanding Industry Training Program for pre-employment training using a statewide network of skilled professionals with industry-specific expertise 2) The Focused Industrial Training (FIT) special training program for North Carolina’s manufacturing industries. FIT designs and implements targeted, customized training for organizations that need to upgrade workers’ skills because of technological preprocess advances.
ABCCM Green Jobs Program
Training in the growing fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Help attaining new marketable skills or enhancing current skill set. Help with job placement. Currently training weatherization technians, solar thermal installers, building analysts, biofuels technicians, and LEED Green Associates.
BioNetwork BioBusiness Center
BioNetwork is a statewide initiative connecting community colleges across the state. It provides specialized training, curricula and equipment, for the life sciences sector, giving North Carolina companies a strategic competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Community Colleges with biomanufacturing, biotechnology, and life sciences curricula are part of BioNetwork. Biofuels manufacturing is also served by BioNetwork.
Green Opportunities
Get Trained. Get Paid. Make a Difference. Green Opportunities (GO) is dedicated to building a strong and just green economy in Western NC from the bottom-up through green-collar job training, community education, and green microenterprises.
