NOT JUST YOUR AVERAGE TRADE

Everyone knows Catawba Valley Community College offers multiple programs of study across four distinct schools—but did you know that our college is also home to professional academies?

That’s right! From the Hospitality Academy, to the Maintenance Tech Bootcamp, to the popular furniture academies in both Catawba and Alexander counties, the options for continued development are limitless—and this year, we’re reaching new heights with our CVCC Construction Academy.

This seven-week course lets students learn in the classroom and on-site with real construction companies who have generously offered their time and resources to train every participant in the ways of the trade.

“We are very excited about the success of our 2023 Construction Academy,” says Gary Muller, Executive Dean of Economic Development and Corporate Education. “Each of our graduates will have the opportunity to continue their constructionrelated education by enrolling in classes in our CVCC School of Career and Technical Education.”

“The success of this year’s program was the result of the strong support of our business partners, as well as the Carolinas Association of General Contractors and the North Carolina Community College System.”

2023 is the first year that CVCC’s Construction Academy has partnered with the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and the Carolinas Association of General Contractors Foundation (CAGC), Inc. to participate in the Construction Bootcamp initiative. As one of ten NC community colleges selected to participate in this initiative, CVCC’s Construction Academy program received ample funding and support from both organizations. Thanks to the efforts of the NCCCS and the CAGC Foundation, Inc., CVCC was able to strengthen their Construction Academy curriculum and enhance the experience of both students and staff.

Andrew Gardner, Vice President of the NCCCS Department, was primarily involved with connecting these North Carolina Community Colleges to the proper educational resources, so that each Construction Academy could provide high-quality education and a promising construction career.

“Today is a testament to the extraordinary outcomes that arise from collaborative efforts,” Gardner says of the CVCC Construction Academy ceremony. “The partnership between the North Carolina Community College System, Carolina AGC, and Catawba Valley Community College has yielded an exceptional Construction Bootcamp program. This initiative equipped individuals with hands-on training, invaluable mentorship, and vital job placement assistance.”

It is vital that our college—and initiatives similar to the Construction Bootcamp— continue to build enthusiasm for the construction industry.

According to the CAGC Foundation, Inc., 96% of North Carolina construction companies find only one qualified applicant for every two open positions.

This stunning statistic reaches beyond county borders, with the potential to affect Catawba County’s very own construction companies. It is encouraging to see that higher education institutions and the business world can construct a gateway for students to earn professional credentials that fill the gaps in the current workforce. What’s even more encouraging is the heavy participation that CVCC is seeing in its own Construction Academy, with the largest graduating class in 2023.

As the future of the Construction Academy unfolds, CVCC holds the same sentiment as the CAGC Foundation, Inc.

“We are striving for positive and successful outcomes to help close the gap and create a pipeline into the construction industry,” says Sequilla McLean, Apprenticeship Manager for the CAGC Foundation, Inc. “That’s why I work directly with participants to facilitate work-based learning and job placement with our network of member companies. There’s never been a better time to begin a career in the trades. Wages are increasing and the high demand is creating incredible opportunities for individuals to launch a successful career in the construction industry.”

CVCC has always been a proponent of work-based learning and apprenticeship opportunities, which allow our students to cross the threshold of traditional classroom academics to hands-on, dynamic skills development. This is a major focus of K-64 and Talent Development, which is CVCC’s department for premier workforce training, corporate education.

Chris Reese, former Executive Director of CVCC’s K-64, is a committed advocate of all CVCC workforce development opportunities, including the Construction Academy. He was also present to celebrate the graduates. “We are very pleased with this year’s Academy,” Reese says, “and excited that we were able to hold classes in both Taylorsville and Hickory so we could accommodate more students in our community. We are also looking forward to kicking off another Construction Academy in the upcoming months.”

A total of 80 people, including family, friends, and the college’s dedicated business partners, attended the ceremony. Graduates included Carlos Andrade; Jacob Austin; Eric Binzha; Jonathan Boyd; Coy Bryant; David Bushatz; Leonel Callejas-Mendoza; Joshua Catterton; Kevin Chavez; Logan Cheatham; Joshua Cline; Zackory Evans; Edwin GodoyPerez; Jose Ibarra; Benjamin Isserman; Noah Jamison; Evan Latchford; Fernando LemusAlmanza; Nathan Maroulis; Jack Mikeal; Ryan Parham; Willie Parks; Jay Ramirez; Nathanel Richards; Daniel Russell; Matthew Schrader; and Seth Yang.