Nash Community College Honored as Finalist for Cleantech Innovation
Left to Right: Wendy Marlowe, NCC Vice President of Continuing Education and Economic/Workforce Development; Rhonda High, NCC Director of Corporate Training and Apprenticeship Programs; Shirley Sykes, NCC Student Support Specialist – STEPs4GROWTH
Nash Community College was honored as a finalist at the prestigious 2024 Cleantech Innovation Awards, held at the SAS Institute in Cary, North Carolina. NCC was the only community college in the nation to be named as a finalist in the Talent Development Award category. The event brought together leading organizations, innovators and influencers from the business, government, academic and nonprofit sectors to celebrate accomplishments in clean technology and workforce development.
NCC President Dr. Lew K. Hunnicutt expressed his pride in the recognition, stating, “We are honored to be named a finalist for the Cleantech Talent Development Award. This distinction not only celebrates the hard work and dedication of our faculty and students but also reflects our college’s ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability and workforce development in the clean energy sector.”
The Cleantech Talent Development Award acknowledges organizations that have made significant contributions to developing talent, providing professional development or creating employment opportunities to support the cleantech industry in the region or state.
Although NCC did not win the award, Rhonda High, Director of Corporate Training and Apprenticeship Programs at NCC, and the Steps4Growth Clean Vehicle Regional Coordinator, congratulated the winners, the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and the Office of the Governor. “We applaud the leadership and innovative work of the NCBCE,” said High.
A key initiative driving NCC’s recognition is the STEPs4GROWTH program (Successful Training and Effective Partnerships for Growing Regional Opportunities in the Workforce to Harness N.C. Clean Energy Alliance). A collaboration with NC A&T State University, STEPs4GROWTH brings together clean energy sector industries, education systems and regional champions to develop a statewide workforce training and employment system. The program is part of a $23.7 million initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Good Jobs Challenge, with NC A&T leading the effort to build North Carolina’s clean energy workforce.
“This award is a testament to NCC’s ongoing efforts to align our educational programs with the growing demand for a clean energy workforce,” said Wendy Marlowe, vice president of continuing education and economic/workforce development at NCC. “As we continue to expand our instruction, we are excited to help empower the next generation of leaders who will drive positive change in the clean energy industry and beyond.”
Nash Community College remains committed to fostering innovative partnerships and providing high-quality educational opportunities that prepare students for success in a rapidly changing global workforce.
For more information regarding the ceremony and winners, visit https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/research-triangle-cleantech-cluster-celebrates-2024-cleantech-innovation-award-winners/. Got questions about the STEPs4GROWTH program, reach out to Rhonda High at rhigh592@nashcc.edu or 252-451-8379.
