VGCC Partnership with school systems receives Education and Workforce Innovation Grant


The North Carolina Education and Workforce Innovation Commission has awarded an $800,000 grant to support a workforce training partnership involving Vance-Granville Community College and the four public school systems in the college’s service area.

The grant funds are for the Manufacturing Skills Training Alliance, which includes VGCC and the Career and Technical Education high school programs from Vance County Schools, Granville County Schools, Franklin County Schools and Warren County Schools. Alliance partners are seeking to prepare local students and workers for manufacturing-related careers in which they will operate, troubleshoot and maintain modern industrial equipment.

Eight other grants by the commission worth $800,000 each and two worth $350,000 each — all supporting projects in school districts across North Carolina — were announced on Monday, March 17, by Gov. Pat McCrory’s office. The state’s Education and Workforce Innovation Fund aims to strengthen successful, innovative education programs that combine academic rigor and skills development with the goal of graduating every student both college and career ready.

The new grant is in addition to $460,000 awarded to the training alliance by the Golden LEAF Foundation late last year to purchase state-of-the-art equipment. This grant, meanwhile, funds professional development training for personnel from both the school systems and from VGCC; paid internships in area industries for students and instructors; and a project coordinator to provide leadership for these activities and maintain strong partnerships with local employers, over the next five years.

“For Vance-Granville, this exciting initiative fits perfectly with our ‘Vanguard Vision’ strategic plan, which emphasizes community partnerships to support economic development, as well as excellent instruction that is characterized by innovation and creativity,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “We are pleased that the commission chose to fund paid internships, which will bridge the classroom with the career and will support students to achieve professional success. At the same time, the grant funds professional development to ensure that our faculty can provide students with training that is relevant and up-to-date.”

She added that the over-arching goal of the training alliance is to attract new industries to Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties by developing a pool of highly skilled workers ready for employment.

Among the programs involved in the alliance are VGCC’s Electrical Systems Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology and Welding curriculum programs, as well as the Mechatronics Engineering Technology program that the college is planning; VGCC’s Industry Services programs; and high-school level vocational courses in topics that range from engineering, electrical/electronics systems and manufacturing processes, mechanics and wood fabrication to solar energy and other renewable energies.

Students will receive training in engineering fundamentals, 3-D modeling, metal fabrications, electrical motor controls, fluid power, PLC troubleshooting, electrical power systems, mechanical drive systems and industrial controls. Such skills have been identified as essential to local manufacturers. Area employers are represented on the Manufacturing Skills Training Alliance advisory committee.