July 29. Central Piedmont Community College received a $1 million grant from the Lowe’s Foundation to grow its skilled trades certifications, expand the college’s reach in Mecklenburg County, and undertake renovations.

Infrastructure support also includes renovating lab space and bringing mobile learning cottages to other campuses and into the community. The mobile learning cottages will remove transportation barriers and bring new training opportunities in construction, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing training throughout Charlotte.

Skilled trades at Central Piedmont

The Lowe’s Foundation has made a $50 million commitment over the next five years to prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers through grants to community and technical colleges and community-based nonprofits. The new strategic focus addresses one of the most critical worker shortages currently facing the U.S. economy.

Quotable

“Construction and the skilled trades have been part of Central Piedmont’s program offerings since the college opened its doors almost 61 years ago. Our students learn quickly that these are versatile, high-demand careers with endless opportunities for growth and advancement,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont president.

Central Piedmont construction and skilled trade careers include:

+Air conditioning, heating and refrigeration,

+Construction and construction management,

+Electrical systems,

+Non-destructive examination,

+Sustainability technologies,

+Utilities and clean energy

+Welding

Students in construction and the skilled trades at Central Piedmont can pursue a degree, diploma or certificate – and some of the shorter-term, accelerated-career-training programs are offered at no cost to the student.

More info: https://www.cpcc.edu/programs/accelerated-career-training/skilled-trades