Under Project Collaborate, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, local community colleges are trying to train local workers in high-demand fields.

Under Project Collaborate, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, local community colleges are trying to train local workers in high-demand fields.
About 35 acres of the nearly 450-acre tract — purchased by the nonprofit Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy in 2020 and recently transferred to the town of Canton — are now open, including the Berm Park mountain bike skills course and a mixed-use hiking/biking trail.
From February through early August, the Emergency Department at Pardee administered 400 infusions of the Regeneron antibody therapy, says chief nursing officer Carol Stefaniak. But following the infusion clinic’s relocation to an outpatient facility in Hendersonville Aug. 11, another 350 infusions were administered, reflecting high demand for the drug.
Three of the new courses at Blue Ridge Community College are endorsed by Pratt & Whitney, which is expected to employ up to 800 people at its new Buncombe County plant. Students who complete the courses will automatically qualify for an interview with the company. Plus, more business openings and updates.
Transylvania County youth services librarian Laura Gardner celebrates her debut children’s book, Blue Ridge Babies 1, 2, 3. Also: Blue Ridge Community College Theatre Department presents William Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors; Asheville Area Piano Forum hosts its 15th annual Spring Benefit Concert; and more!
As of December 2020, there were 21,391 unique job postings in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties. But many of the available jobs require higher levels of education or training than those currently unemployed possess.
Health departments across the state have been relying on community colleges’ facilities, faculty, and students to run vaccination clinics.
Blue Ridge Community College’s brewing program will host a virtual beer tasting on Friday, Jan. 29.
The Flat Rock campus adds an exciting piece of pottery-making equipment, SoundSpace@Rabbit’s opens and more area arts news.
In April, Pardee UNC Health Care notified MountainCare that it would no longer donate the use of the 6,000-square-foot building that houses MountainCare’s Henderson County adult day program. MountainCare now must move out by the end of the year to allow Pardee to reuse or sell the building and seeks a free or low-cost space where the program can continue operating.
Jones previously worked as the emergency services director in Anderson County, S.C., for almost 12 years and replaces outgoing Emergency Services Director Jerry VeHaun, who announced his retirement in December after serving in that role since 1972.
The questionnaire will advise the city on which updates and renovations of the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium best serve community needs. Once the survey is completed, Earl Swensson Associates Architects will draft programming and conceptual designs for the building.
Michael “Badhair” Williams, Freeman Owle and Ronnie Pepper perform March 28 at Blue Ridge Community College’s Flat Rock campus.
Observances of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. kick off with the 38th annual prayer breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 19, presented by The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County.
Thanks to a second round of state grant funding announced in early August, area students will have access to an expanded series of coding programs and courses at the high school and middle school levels. Local employers and economic development boosters say tech skills are vital to securing good jobs now and in the future.
Gaia Herbs announced a 140,000-square-foot expansion in Mills River, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce launched a regional analysis to study workforce and employment challenges in Buncombe and nine other WNC counties and Blue Ridge Community College announced it will offer a pair of new classes on dog grooming.
Programs at A-B Tech and Blue Ridge diversify their offerings to keep pace with WNC’s growing craft alcohol industry.
Local colleges and universities are offering an increasing number of sustainability focused degree and certificate programs to allow students to prepare for the jobs of the future and make a positive impact on the planet.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops co-founder plays Blue Ridge Community College’s Thomas Auditorium on Jan. 25.
The evening of Cherokee music and dance takes place Dec. 7 at Blue Ridge Community College’s Thomas Auditorium in Flat Rock.
The Grail screens a documentary on rehabilitation specialist Dr. John Sarno, registration closes for the 48 Hour Film Project and more.