RISE Caldwell-Watauga

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RISE Caldwell-Watauga

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RISE (Regional Initiative for Skilled Employment) is a dynamic, collaborative initiative led by Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) that aims to transform the educational and workforce landscape of Caldwell and Watauga counties.

10/14/2026

We are VERY PROUD of our Executive Commitee member Dr. Leslie Alexander! 💙🎉

Dr. Alexander was a founding member of RISE Caldwell-Watauga and continues to serve as one of our greatest champions as we build and grow what RISE has evolved into this year. She is the kind of leader who has never said no, but always continues to ask questions—the kind of thoughtful, student-centered questions that challenge us to think bigger, work smarter, and create more opportunities for our students.

Her commitment to Career and Technical Education, meaningful work-based learning, and connecting education to the needs of our local workforce is making a lasting difference for students and our entire region.

Dr. Alexander understands that CTE is not an alternative path, but a powerful pathway to both college and career readiness. Her leadership and willingness to collaborate across schools, higher education, economic development, and industry have helped make RISE possible.

Being named a Northwest Region finalist for the inaugural North Carolina CTE Superintendent of the Year is an incredibly well-deserved recognition of the work she does every day.

Dr. Alexander, thank you for believing in our students, championing RISE, and continually pushing us to do more. You are MOST deserving of this honor, and we are cheering you on! 💙💚

09/30/2026

🏭 Manufacturing Week Spotlight: Our 2026 Aspiring Manufacturing & Engineering Students

The future of manufacturing and engineering is already here, and we are proud to introduce some of the RISE Caldwell-Watauga students who are exploring it firsthand.

Meet our aspiring manufacturing and engineering students:
🔹 Geo Baez Quinterro
🔹 Karley Kirby
🔹 Holden Lawrence
🔹 Azya Laing
🔹 Mollie Lewis
🔹 Matthew Moyle
🔹 Noah Nelson
🔹 Olaoluwa Okubanjo
🔹 Braden Powell
🔹 William Perry

Through RISE Caldwell-Watauga, these students are gaining more than work experience.

They are learning what it takes to succeed in a professional environment, developing technical and workplace skills, working alongside industry professionals, and discovering career possibilities they can pursue right here in our region.

We are incredibly grateful to the employers and educators who make these experiences possible:

Aiken Controls | Bernhardt Furniture | Carolina Precision Components | Exela Pharma Sciences | Fairfield Chair | MDI | Minda | CCC&TI Department of Biotechnology: Bench to Career

Thank you for opening your doors and investing in the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent.

To our students — keep learning, keep asking questions, and keep building your future. We can't wait to see where your skills and curiosity take you.

The future of manufacturing isn't just something we're talking about. We're helping students experience it today. 💚💙

09/22/2026

We’re excited to share the latest story from EdNC highlighting the work of RISE Caldwell-Watauga and the students, employers, educators, and community partners who are making this initiative possible.

This story is about more than RISE—it’s about the people across our region who are opening doors to brighter futures and creating opportunities for students to build their future right here at home.

📖 Read the article: https://www.ednc.org/?p=294765&preview=1&_ppp=9a0acf55e5

🎥 Watch the short video: https://www.ednc.org/?p=294765&preview=1&_ppp=9a0acf55e5

A special thank you to Mebane Rash, Analisa Sorrells Archer, Robert Kinlaw, and the entire team at EdNC for taking the time to listen, learn, and help tell the story of RISE and the people behind this work.

We’re grateful to have our students, employers, and community partners at the heart of this story. 💚 💙

09/21/2026

RISE recently had the pleasure of presenting to the Lenoir Rotary Club, sharing our progress this year and how we’re connecting students with career opportunities right here at home.

Since launching in January 2026, RISE Caldwell-Watauga has partnered with more than 60 local employers and helped facilitate 120+ work-based learning placements for students across Caldwell and Watauga counties.

We also heard from JD Abee, current Club President and one of our valued RISE employer partners, who shared his experience with RISE and Cloninger Ford’s apprenticeship program. JD highlighted the incredible progress apprentice Gracie Elliott has made in just nine months: a powerful example of what can happen when employers invest in developing local talent.

A heartfelt thank you to the Lenoir Rotary Club for welcoming us and for your continued commitment to service, leadership, and strengthening our community. Your investment in the next generation aligns closely with RISE’s mission.

We’re grateful for the employers, schools, and community partners who make this work possible and help create meaningful pathways for our students.

Open doors. Build connections. Create brighter futures.

09/17/2026

Earlier this month, we held our RISE Caldwell–Watauga Fall Advisory Committee Meeting. 💚💙

Our Advisory Committee brings together leaders from healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, skilled trades, and workforce development who provide valuable insight to help ensure RISE continues to align with the needs of our students, employers, and regional workforce.

Learn more about our work here: https://lnkd.in/ejhbEGay

Together, we reviewed our inaugural year, celebrated key accomplishments, evaluated our CORI benchmarks, and discussed priorities for the year ahead—including student and employer growth, regional partnerships, sustainability, and our first Registered Apprentices.

Most importantly, we listened. Our committee members shared thoughtful feedback on employer engagement, mentorship, student accountability, meaningful work experiences, and ways RISE can better support businesses of all sizes.

Thank you to our Advisory members for your time, expertise, honest feedback, and continued commitment to RISE. Your partnership is helping us build stronger pathways and open doors to brighter futures for students right here at home.

And a special thank you to the JE Broyhill Civic Center Catering team for the amazing meal and for helping make our meeting a success! 💚

08/24/2026

Fall RISE is officially off and running! 🚀

As of today, all of our school partners are officially back in session, and our Fall 2026 cohort is getting underway!

This marks our third semester of active student placements and employer partnerships across Caldwell and Watauga counties. We are incredibly grateful to the 50+ businesses who have partnered with RISE during our inaugural year. Your willingness to open your doors, mentor students, and invest in the next generation of our workforce is what makes these opportunities possible. Thank you for believing in our students and in the future of our region!

This semester also marks an exciting milestone: our first group of Registered Apprentices is embarking on their college journeys while working alongside local employers. They are taking the next step in their education while gaining valuable, hands-on experience and building careers right here at home.

From internships and work-based learning to pre-apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships, RISE is creating opportunities for students to learn, earn, and build their futures locally.

Three semesters. 50+ businesses. 120+ student placements. Our first Registered Apprentices.

And we’re just getting started. 🚀

08/17/2026

Today, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to Dezi Beltran! 💙

Dezi joined RISE four months ago as a work-study student and quickly became an important part of our inaugural year. She helped us build a strong foundation for our social media efforts, bringing creativity and a fresh perspective to how we share the RISE story. Not to mention her incredible photography skills.

She continued with us this summer as a part-time employee, and we are so grateful for the time, energy, and talent she has invested in RISE.

Dezi, we are incredibly proud of you and all that you have accomplished. We wish you the very best as you finish your AFA degree at Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute this year!

We can't wait to see where you go next! 🎓✨

08/15/2026

🚨 30 DAYS. THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! 🚨

Want to spend Spring 2027 discovering what your dream career is really like? 👀

RISE Caldwell–Watauga is officially in the FINAL 30-DAY COUNTDOWN to our Spring 2027 application deadline!

📅 APPLY BY SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 to be considered for a Spring 2027 RISE placement.

We’ll be placing students in:
✨ Internships
🛠️ Pre-Apprenticeships
🚀 Youth Apprenticeships

…with local employers and mentors who are ready to show you what your future career is really like. You’ll get hands-on experience, build professional skills, and learn what it takes to succeed in the workplace.

👔 BUT HERE'S THE DEAL…

RISE expects a LOT from our students.

You must be ready to:
⏰ Be on time and show up ready to work.
👔 Dress and act professionally.
📚 Complete your Work Ready assignments and turn them in on time.
💪 Take feedback, learn from your mistakes, and give your best effort.

And in exchange? We invest in YOU.

💰 $150 Transportation Stipend Monthly — Every RISE student receives this to help with the costs of getting to work.

✅ Up to a $150 Performance Bonus Monthly — Based on your employer evaluations and the quality and completion of the work you submit to RISE.

🎒 Some industries are also eligible for completion bonuses and the opportunity to continue to learn and earn in a Registered Apprenticeship, which includes a Tuition Waiver for your related instruction at CCC&TI!

AND… 👀

💼 YOUR RISE EXPERIENCE CAN TURN INTO A REAL JOB.
Depending on your industry, employer, and location, your work-based learning employer may offer you a paid position while you're completing your hours.

That's right. A REAL JOB. 💵🔥

RISE isn't just about putting something on your résumé. It's about giving you the opportunity to prove what you can do—and potentially get hired because of it.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: RISE receives hundreds of applications each year. Because placements are competitive, we cannot accept Spring applications after September 15.

👉 Complete the Student Interest Form by September 15 to be considered for Spring 2027!

☀️ Looking ahead to Summer 2027 or Fall 2027?

Our Summer Cohort application deadline is Febuary 15th 2027.
Our Fall Cohort application deadline is May 15th 2027.

Show up. Work hard. Learn something. Build your future. 🚀

Link to Application: https://www.risecaldwellwatauga.org/for-students

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08/09/2026

Congratulations to our RISE Veterinary students on their commitment and growth throughout their Summer Cohort placements! 🩺🐾

🌟Kylee Pritchard – Intern at Lake Hickory Veterinary Hospital
🌟Ireland Laxton – Intern at Boone Animal Hospital

Along the way, they strengthened their confidence, compassion, and commitment to animal health and welfare. These experiences have prepared them for the next steps in their education and future careers in veterinary medicine. 🐶🐱🐴

08/08/2026

Hats off to our RISE Trades students on their dedication and hard work throughout their Summer Cohort work placements! ⚡🔨

🌟Jake Marley – Intern at Foothills Regional Airport
🌟Mason Wesson – Pre-Apprentice at McMillion Electric
🌟Caden Crow – Pre-Apprentice at Caldwell County Schools - Maintenance
🌟Matthew Weiss – Pre-Apprentice at Caldwell County Schools - Maintenance
🌟Cooper Cutshall – Pre-Apprentice at Priority Electric
🌟Nicholas Compaleo – Pre-Apprentice at McMillion Electric

Through their internships and pre-apprenticeships, these students strengthened their technical abilities, developed workplace skills, and explored career pathways that will prepare them for future success in the skilled trades. 👏

Address

2855 Hickory Boulevard
Hudson, NC
28638

Telephone

(828)7262261

Website

https://www.risecaldwellwatauga.org/

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