Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) has received more than $1.04 million in grant support for a new regional work-based learning ecosystem that will 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 $299,338 from the Dogwood Health Trust to fund the creation of Asheville-Buncombe-Madison (ABM) Works. The program will connect high school students in Asheville and Buncombe and Madison counties with internships, pre-apprenticeships, and career-focused training in high-demand industries.
“North Carolina’s workforce needs are evolving, and we must be bold and innovative in how we prepare our students for success,” said Dr. John Gossett, President of A-B Tech. “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. We are deeply grateful to the NC GSK Foundation and Dogwood Health Trust for their generous investment in the future of our communities.”
Debbie Cromwell, A-B Tech’s Director of Work-Based Learning, said ABM Works is based on the highly successful Surry-Yadkin Works, North Carolina’s first multi-county work-based learning program.
“It is a unified ‘grow your own’ approach to meeting local workforce needs in collaboration with local employers and others to increase economic stability in our region,” Cromwell said. “With the economic destruction of Hurricane Helene shortly after the tragedy of COVID, many jobs were lost and many businesses remain short-staffed. A-B Tech is committed to help make a difference, and this is one of the best ways we can help.”
ABM Works initially will focus on the healthcare, early childhood education, advanced manufacturing and skilled trades sectors. In preparation, Cromwell is hiring more staff to assist high schools and meeting with a number of partners, including school systems, local governments, the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, P-20 Council, My FutureNC, Chambers of Commerce, and MAHEC.
Buncombe and Madison counties face critical talent gaps that were intensified by the devastation of Hurricane Helene in September 2024, which disrupted employment, housing, infrastructure, and education. In Madison County, a predominantly rural area with a shrinking workforce, and in Buncombe County, where rising housing costs push young talent away, the need for intentional talent development has never been greater.
“Through ABM Works, A-B Tech will partner with our local school systems, employers, and community organizations to give students hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, and direct access to in-demand career pathways,” Cromwell said. “The goal is to build an inclusive, employer-informed talent pipeline that keeps skilled graduates in the region and supports long-term economic growth.”
ABM Works will prioritize equitable access to career opportunities, especially for students from low-income, rural, or underrepresented backgrounds. By bridging the gap between education and employment, the program will help reduce the number of young people ages 16 to 24 who are not in school or employed.
The grants from the NC GSK Foundation and Dogwood Health Trust will help fund the program’s launch, student stipends, industry certifications, and staff coordination among schools, employers, and community partners.
For more information about ABM Works, please contact Debbie Cromwell at 828.398.7603. Learn more about A-B Tech’s Work-Based Learning programs at abtech.edu/WBL.
About the NC GSK Foundation
The North Carolina GSK Foundation supports programs that help meet the educational and health needs of North Carolina’s citizens, with a focus on innovative solutions, community partnerships, and long-term impact. Learn more at ncgskfoundation.org.
About Dogwood Health Trust
Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and wellbeing. With a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness, Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more, please visit dht.org.