Since the fall of 2022, we have enrolled 188 individuals in education and training programs at our partner institutions, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Blue Ridge Community College, through Project Collaborate, which is funded by a $1.4M grant from the U.S. Department of Labor through the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (“WORC”) initiative.
Participants Served
Credentials Earned
Trainings Completed
Participants Placed in Training-Related Employment
Average Starting Wage
Our participants came from all four counties in the Land of Sky region (Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania), plus an additional five counties in NC and two counties in SC. About 4 out of 5, or 79%, of the individuals we have served were from suburban counties (Buncombe and Henderson), while the remaining 1 out of 5, or 21%, were from rural counties.
Credential Attainment
As of the end of the second quarter of 2025, 137 participants have earned a total of 260 credentials, with 173 (66.5%) of those being occupational certifications; 58 (22.3%) of those being occupational certificates; and 29 (11.2%) of those being other recognized diplomas, degrees, or certificates.
The occupational certifications include the following:
- 19 Festo Industry Certification Program (“FICP”) – Level 1 Certification
- 3 FICP – Level 2 Certification
- 17 Fuji Automatic Numerical Controls (“FANUC”) – Robotics Basic Material Handling Certificate
- 5 International Society of Automation (“ISA”) Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)
- 8 National Center for Construction Education and Research (“NCCER”) – Construction Craft Laborer Level 1 Certification
- 8 NCCER – Construction Craft Laborer Level 2 Certification
- 14 NCCER – Core Construction Certification
- 41 NCCER – Electrical Level 1 Certification
- 11 NCCER – Electrical Level 2 Certification
- 10 NCCER – Electrical Level 3 Certification
- 9 NCCER – Electrical Level 4 Certification
- 4 NCCER – HVACR Level 1 Certification
- 1 National institute for Metalworking Skills (“NIMS”) – Machining – CNC Lathe Programming, Setup, and Operations Certification
- 6 NIMS – Machining – CNC Mill II Certification
- 7 NIMS – Machining – CNC Mill Operations Certification
- 7 NIMS – Machining – Measurements, Materials, and Safety (Level 1) Certification
The occupational certificates include the following:
- 2 Advanced Machine Operator Certificate
- 9 Air Conditioning Cooling Certificate
- 12 Automation and Robotics Certificate
- 2 Basic Industrial Maintenance Certificate
- 2 Basic Machining and CNC Programming Certificate
- 3 Basic Welding I Certificate
- 1 CNC Turning Operator Certificate
- 7 Electrical Wiring Certificate
- 6 Heating Certificate
- 4 Industrial Maintenance Welding Certificate
- 1 Robotic Welding Certificate
- 7 Solar Photovoltaic Energy Technology Certificate
- 2 Welding Technology – Industrial Maintenance Welding Certificate
- 1 Welding Technology – Welding Fabrication Certificate
The other recognized diplomas, degrees, or certificates include the following:
- 5 Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship – Blue Ridge Community College Certificate
- 8 Construction Apprenticeship – Blue Ridge Community College Certificate
- 7 Electrical Apprenticeship – Blue Ridge Community College Certificate
- 6 Industrial Maintenance Apprenticeship – Blue Ridge Community College Certificate
- 2 Tool and Die Apprenticeship – Blue Ridge Community College Certificate
Supporting Economic Mobility
Our 188 participants have started a total of 380 trainings, and 144 unique participants have completed a total of 303 trainings (some participants have completed more than one training). The most common training programs completed have been Electrical (31.6%), Construction (14.5%), and Engineering (13.2%), while the least common have been Tool & Die (2.6%), Manufacturing (1.3%), and Heating and Cooling Systems, or HVAC (1.3%).
As part of Project Collaborate, 131 participants have gained employment in the following industries:
- Electricians 37.4%
- Manufacturing 32.1%
- Advanced Manufacturing 13.7%
- Construction 13.0%
- Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Contractors 2.3%
- IT – 1.5%
Starting wages for our participants have ranged from $14-$42.09/hour, with a median of $19/hour, and interim wages ranged from $17-$35.71/hour, with a median of $22/hour.
Promoting Participant Success with Services
In addition to our trainings, we have provided a total of 201 other services to 181 participants in the following categories:
- Individualized Career Services 89.1%
- Supportive Services 9.5%
- Follow-up Services 1.0%
- Case Management 0.5%
The most common services we provided have been Career Planning (107) and Individual Counseling (49). We have also provided Supportive Services through paying costs for books and supplies required for education and training programs for nineteen (19) participants.
Measurable Skill Gains
As of the end of Q2 2025, 152 of our participants have earned a total of 446 Measurable Skill Gains (MSGs), as follows:
- 324 Training Milestones
- 95 Skills Progressions
- 27 Postsecondary Transcript/Report Card
Group Success Stories
Cross-Program Collaboration and Cooperation
Prior to program involvement, many participants lacked access to up-to-date tools and real-world, cross-disciplinary training modules. By leveraging WORC grant funds, Apprenticeship Blue Ridge was able to equip their facility with new tools and materials. Apprentices from the Construction class collaborated to create electrical training modules, directly supporting the Electrical program’s hands-on curriculum. This initiative not only improved the quality of instruction but also fostered collaboration across disciplines. Participants reported greater confidence in their skills, and instructors noted increased engagement. Both Construction and Electrical cohorts benefited from the expanded resources, better preparing them for future employment.
Celebration for Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Apprentices
The Apprenticeship Blue Ridge team threw a graduation celebration to celebrate the accomplishments of 6 Industrial Systems apprentices who finished the educational portion of their apprenticeship program and graduated in May! With their employer sponsors present, each apprentice received a Blue Ridge Community College Certificate detailing their accomplishment of the successful completion of 1,306 class hours/ 106 contact hours/ 49 credit hours. These apprentices represented 4 area manufacturers. Four of the apprentices completed both the automation and maintenance tracks, while the other two completed the automation track only and will continue with Blue Ridge to finish the maintenance track. All of these apprentices have balanced rigorous coursework, full-time work, and life with determination and grit. Congratulations on a job well done!
