Last Updated on September 30, 2026 1:06 pm
EducationNC (EdNC) recently featured RISE Caldwell-Watauga in an article and video highlighting how local students, employers and education partners are working together to build career pathways in Caldwell and Watauga counties.
The video includes several local partners, including Watauga County Schools, Watauga County Economic Development, UNC Health Appalachian, The Cardinal, and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute's Watauga Campus Trades Extension, giving a firsthand look at how students are gaining real-world experience while exploring careers close to home.
Since launching in January 2026, RISE has connected more than 100 students with work-based learning experiences and partnered with more than 60 local employers. The program spans a wide range of industries, from health care and hospitality to skilled trades and manufacturing, reflecting a growing number of local businesses investing directly in the region's future workforce.
“Our communities continue to focus on workforce development and creating opportunities for young people to build their futures here at home,” said Tara Brossa, Executive Director of RISE Caldwell-Watauga and adjunct instructor in the Department of Hospitality Management at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute.
Read the full EdNC feature and watch the accompanying video at EdNC.org.
