Last Updated on June 18, 2025 1:14 pm
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s Trade Up Pre-Apprenticeship program recently kicked off for the summer with an event for this year’s group of student apprentices, community partners and employers. The program introduces local high school students and recent high school graduates to local career and training opportunities, while also filling the growing industry need for skilled workers. Students get the benefit of classroom instruction as well as hands-on experience with local employers to prepare for a variety of careers in construction trades.
The 8-week Trade-Up program is made possible through support from Blue Ridge Energy, Lowe’s, the High Country Home Builders Association, the Caldwell County Home Builders Association, Caldwell County Schools and Watauga County Schools.
Participating employers for this year’s cohort include Alair Homes Hickory, Caldwell County Schools Maintenance Department, McMillon Electric Company, Inc., Priority Electric and Lighting, Wilkie Construction.
During the kickoff event, Justin Harris, CCC&TI’s Director of Energy and Construction Trades expressed gratitude on behalf of the college to all of the participating sponsors and employers for their support of the program. This year’s sponsors are Blue Ridge Energy, Lowe’s Home Improvement, High Country Homebuilders Association, The Caldwell County Home Builders Association, Caldwell County Schools and Watauga County Schools.
For more information on construction trades programs, apprenticeships or other training programs, visit www.cccti.edu or contact Justin Harris, Director of Energy and Construction Programs at jharris@cccti.edu or 828-726-2611.
CCC&TI has kicked off another year of the college’s signature “Trade Up Program” for local students. The program introduces local high school students and recent high school graduates to local career and training opportunities, while also working to fill the growing industry need for skilled workers. Students get the benefit of classroom instruction as well as hands-on experience with local employers to prepare for a variety of careers in construction trades. Pictured front row, left to right are students Colton Borders, Titius Sloan, Corbin Lovins, William Dula, Manuel Rubio and Grant Greene. Pictured back row, left to right are Lowe’s Home Improvement Employees Michelle Taylor and Kelly Norman, CCC&TI’s Director of Energy and Construction Trades, Justin Harris, CCC&TI Instructor James Reed and Lowe’s employee Bob Campbell. Not pictured are students Skyler Wallace, Ayden Walker and Cooper Cutshall.
