Project Collaborate
A grant project funded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC)
Project Collaborate is in the news! Click/tap here to read the Mountain Xpress article.
FREE education and training
Get the skills you need to get a high-wage job in a high-growth industry that has high-demand from local employers. Get started today!Grant funding covers the cost of education and training for those who are:
- new to the workforce, such as recent high school graduates
- going back to school or enrolling in certificate or certification programs to acquire new skills for a new career
- wanting to improve their skills in order to advance in their current careers
The education and training opportunities available through the WORC grant are designed to support economic mobility, address historic inequities for marginalized communities of color and other underserved and underrepresented communities, and produce high-quality employment outcomes that:
Pay family-sustaining wages
Offer advancement opportunities
Empower workers
Eligible Programs Include:
All opportunities are available to residents in the Land of Sky Region, which includes the counties of Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania.
Labor Market Information
The North Carolina Department of Commerce estimates increased demand for the following professions in the 4-county region by 2030, as detailed below.
| Profession | Projected Increase by 2030 |
| Construction Managers | 18% |
| Electricians | 12% |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 12% |
| Production Workers, All Other | 9% |
| Industrial Production Managers | 7% |
Source: Labor Market Information, Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, Occupations in 4 Counties, July 2022.
If you are eligible to participate, you might also be eligible for financial assistance that could include tuition and/or costs for one or more of the following:
Certification Exam Fees
Books
Tools
Education and training opportunities are offered by our two community college partners.
Campuses in Buncombe and Madison counties.
Campuses in Henderson and Transylvania counties.
Education and training opportunities offered at AB Tech Community College:
- Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology
- Computer-Integrated Machining Technology
- Electrical Systems Technology
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Mechatronics Engineering Technology
- Welding
Education and training opportunities offered at Blue Ridge Community College:
- Apprenticeships
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Construction
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Industrial Systems
- Manufacturing (Basic Machinist)
- Manufacturing (CNC Operator)
- Manufacturing (CNC Specialist)
- Plumbing
- Tool & Die
- Computer-Integrated Machining Certificates
Frequently asked questions about the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant administered by Land of Sky Regional Council:
Am I eligible?
These grant-funded education and training opportunities are available to a wide range of individuals who live in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, or Transylvania counties. In accordance with federal requirements, priority is given to veterans and their eligible spouses. Please contact the admissions office by clicking/tapping here on the button for the community college of your choice (either AB Tech or Blue Ridge) to discuss your eligibility.
What if I have already started my education / training?
You might still be eligible to receive grant-funded services. Please contact the admissions office by clicking/tapping here on the button for the community college of your choice (either AB Tech or Blue Ridge) to discuss your eligibility.
How long do the trainings take?
Training opportunities include short-term certificates and apprenticeships. Please contact the admissions office by clicking/tapping here on the button for the community college of your choice (either AB Tech or Blue Ridge) to learn more.
What employers are involved in this program?
Our goal is to produce high-quality employment outcomes for workers who live or work in Appalachia, enabling them to remain and thrive in these communities. To that end, we have partnered with employers who offer jobs with family-sustaining wages/living wages, benefits, and opportunities for advancement. A partial list of our employer partners are listed on the bottom of this page. We frequently add new employer partners.
What is the deadline to apply?
Our education and training opportunities have multiple start dates throughout the year. Please contact the admissions office by clicking/tapping here on the button for the community college of your choice (either AB Tech or Blue Ridge) to learn more.
How do I get started?
Click or tap the appropriate button here to learn how to apply at the community college of your choice (either AB Tech or Blue Ridge).
What if I am interested in a program that isn't listed?
Please contact the admissions office by clicking/tapping here on the button for the community college of your choice (either AB Tech or Blue Ridge) to connect with an advisor who can let you know what financial assistance options might be available for the program that interests you.
This project is 100% supported by the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the U.S. Department of Labor as part of an award totaling $1,441,125 to Land of Sky Regional Council from the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant initiative. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ETA, DOL, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit DOL.gov.
The WORC Initiative, which is a partnership between ETA, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the Delta Regional Commission (DRA), and (starting with WORC round 5 in 2023) the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), funds grant projects within the Appalachian, Lower Mississippi Delta, and Northern Border regions. These grants are designed to address the employment and training needs of the local and regional workforce, created in collaboration with community partners and aligned with existing economic and workforce development plans and strategies.
Project Collaborate is an equal opportunity program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Thank you to our partners!
