Posted on the WLOS-13 website on March 17, 2026.
Asheville, N.C. (WLOS) — Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) is getting more than $1 million in grant funding. The money will support a new regional work-based learning ecosystem to prepare high school students for good, high-paying jobs in western North Carolina.
The college received $750,000 from the North Carolina GSK Foundation and nearly $300,000 from the Dogwood Health Trust to fund the creation of what’s called Asheville Buncombe Madison (ABM) Works.
According to a news release on the funding, this program will be critical for these areas because of the disruptions to employment and education caused by Helene.
“ABM Works will connect our young people with opportunities right here in Buncombe and Madison counties – helping them earn while they learn, while giving our local employers the skilled talent they need to thrive,” Dr. John Gossett, the president of A-B Tech, said of the program.
ABM Works will initially focus on the healthcare, early childhood education, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades sectors.
In preparation, Debbie Cromwell, A-B Tech’s director of work-based learning, said they are hiring more staff to help high schools as well as meeting with school systems, local governments, and the Chamber of Commerce to better understand the need gaps.