Good Jobs WNC is a locally led, regionally coordinated, and nationally connected coalition across 23 counties. The effort brings together 11 community colleges, employers, foundations, and regional partners around a shared goal of connecting 1,200 residents to good jobs over the next three years in high-demand sectors, including health care, manufacturing, and the skilled trades, serving as a prototype for what’s possible statewide and beyond. The John M. Belk Endowment has raised more than $10 million to support the Good Jobs WNC initiative from partners, including the Rockefeller Foundation, the Leon Levine Foundation, N.C. Community Colleges Foundation, SECU Foundation, AMY Wellness Foundation, WNC Bridge Foundation, C.D. Spangler Foundation, Cannon Foundation, Dogwood Health Trust, and Pisgah Health Foundation.
Good Jobs in Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing
A-B Tech is targeting the Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing sectors through its involvement in the Good Jobs WNC coalition. The following are Academic and Workforce Development courses in plumbing, electrical, and HVAC that train adult learners for good jobs in the community that need skilled employees and pay a living wage. We offer a variety of tuition assistance, financial aid, and scholarship options for students who enroll in these programs.
Academic Programs
- Electrical Systems Technology offers a two-year AAS degree, a one-year diploma, and six short-term certificates.
- HVAC Technology offers a two-year AAS degree, a one-year diploma, and two short-term certificates in Heating and Cooling.
- Modern Plumbing is a new course that will be offered next spring at A-B Tech Enka. This course will count toward a Plumbing diploma that we anticipate offering next year. Topics include safety, use and care of tools, recognition and assembly of fittings and pipes, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to safely assemble various pipes and fittings in accordance with state code requirements.
Apply and register or call (828) 398-7900. Explore financial aid and tuition assistance options at How to Pay.
Continuing Education and Workforce Development Programs
- HVAC Foundations: 01/20/27 – 02/24/27, Wed, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., A-B Tech Asheville Campus
- Introduction to HVAC Trades Careers: 3-hour course
- Plumbing Foundations: 02/13/27 – 02/28/27, Sat/Sun, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., A-B Tech Enka Campus
- Introduction to Plumbing Trades: 3-hour course
- Electrical Foundations: 03/13/27 – 03/28/27, Sat/Sun, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., A-B Tech Enka Campus
- Introduction to Electrical Systems: 3-hour course
Register online at Continuing Education Online Registration. For more information, contact Marcus Blankenship, Associate Director of Skilled Trades, at (828) 398-7924 or marcusablankenship@abtech.edu. Explore Financial Assistance and Continuing Education Scholarship options.
Good Jobs WNC in the News
- Good Jobs WNC Announced, Invitation to Invest in WNC Issued (EdNC, 4/13/26)
- $3.3 Million in New Philanthropic Commitments for Good Jobs WNC Announced (America Achieves,9/24/26)
- Good Jobs WNC: A Pathway to Regional Recovery (EdNC, 9/24/26)
- $3.2 Million Awarded for Good Jobs WNC Workforce Training at 11 Community Colleges (WLOS TV, 9/24/26)
