Central Piedmont Community College and the city of Charlotte formalized a partnership for workforce development and education on Monday.
The partnership will provide better access to education, job training, career counseling and more for city employees and Central Piedmont students. For employees who do not currently hold post-secondary credentials, the city will prepay tuition and associated fees at Central Piedmont toward an associate degree or certificate programs. By offering a pre-payment program, the partnership is promoting upward mobility and removing a financial barrier.
“It’s important we invest in our employees and provide opportunities to join our workforce,” City Manager Marcus D. Jones said. “Through this partnership, we are preparing and reskilling our workforce for jobs of the future.”
Central Piedmont students will also have the opportunity to gain on-the-job experience through city of Charlotte apprenticeships, co-ops and internship programs. The city has more than 25 career fields students can explore, from construction to administration.
“Central Piedmont is thrilled and proud to establish this partnership with the city of Charlotte,” Kandi Deitemeyer, college president, said. “The college is eager to welcome and work with city of Charlotte employees as they seek further education and the re-skilling needed to advance their careers. At the same time, we are delighted our students will have the opportunity to gain invaluable experience and skills through work-based learning programs with the city. We believe this partnership, in time, can become a model for other cities and colleges to implement.”
Photo Courtesy: Darnell Vennie/Central Piedmont Community College
The partnership comes just weeks after Central Piedmont and Wingate University announced the launch of a collaborative partnership called the Gateway to Wingate program. The program provides a new pathway to a bachelor’s degree for Central Piedmont students that will expand college access.
The agreement is designed to give academically qualified Central Piedmont students a seamless admissions process, high-quality academic advising, and affordable access to a baccalaureate degree program at Wingate. Central Piedmont students can enter the program as soon as the start of the 2022 fall semester in August. A separate agreement provides a pathway for qualified Central Piedmont students to enter Wingate’s Doctorate of Pharmacy program, which has facilities in Wingate and in Hendersonville, N.C.
“This transfer pathway is a wonderful example of higher education partners in the Charlotte Region working together to broaden access to a bachelor’s degree and greater opportunities beyond,” Deitemeyer said.
Central Piedmont offers more than 300 degree, diploma and certification programs through its six campuses located throughout Mecklenburg County. In addition to receiving a quality education, program participants will also have access to a variety of the college’s student support services, including tutoring, coaching, career counseling and more.
