Posted on the WLOS-13 website on June 1, 2026.
Asheville, N.C. (WLOS) — Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is investing over $1 million in a new program that offers high schoolers opportunities to enter higher-paying careers.
This program, which applies to students from Asheville, Buncombe County and Madison County, is helping the next generation afford to live in western North Carolina.
Program leaders said this opportunity aims to address critical talent gaps disrupted by Helene.
"These kids don't know that they can stay in their own community, so it's our job to help them understand careers better so when they make their choices, their choices are sound — they don't waste their time," said Debbie Cromwell, AB-Tech's director of workplace learning and apprenticeships.
Cromwell said students are accessing internships, pre-apprenticeships and career-focused training in high-demand industries, including health care, early childcare education and manufacturing.
This program comes just as a new University of North Carolina report suggests the state could be heading towards a shortage of qualified workers for high-skill jobs, including nursing, engineering and education, despite growing demand.
To address this, the ABM Works program is building a pipeline of skilled workers, putting students front and center to local employers, Cromwell said.
"There are a lot of great relationships between employers and the high schools already, but this will help cement just that long-range, that it's forever, it's a family," Cromwell said. "It's really strengthening the partnerships there."
Cromwell said parents are thrilled that this new opportunity comes without financial stress. She said the program also alleviates families of other potential cost barriers, such as transportation, by providing students with stipends.
She said the goal is to provide the region with more economic stability and help more skilled workers stay in the Mountains instead of seeing rising costs forcing future generations to relocate.
“This is our opportunity to expose them to being able to stay home in the beautiful mountains, and where their friends and family are,” Cromwell said.
