Grant will allow ENC community college to expand workforce training programs

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston

Published February 21, 2023 at 6:43 AM EST

Craven Community College President Ray Staats said a recent study shows North Carolina is 41st in the nation for employee pay. — Workforce training programs at Craven Community College have received nearly a half-million dollars in grant funding.

Workforce training programs at Craven Community College have received nearly a half-million dollars in grant funding.

The more than $495,000 Golden LEAF grant will be used to renovate two buildings at the college’s Volt Center near downtown New Bern.

The college plans to develop a heavy equipment operator program and a construction trade/light manufacturer incubator.

Existing buildings in the Volt Center complex will be converted to workforce training facilities.

Annette Weston

Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.

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