A-B Tech Receives Grant For Project Skill-UP
April 2, 2009
The Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education division of A-B Tech has received a state grant to assist individuals adversely impacted by changes in the tobacco industry. The $40,000 Project Skill-UP grant was awarded through the North Carolina Community College System from the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.
The goal of the project is to provide short-term training and educational financial assistance to those who have been impacted because of decreased tobacco production or changes in the tobacco industry in recent years.
"We will be hiring a part-time coordinator to administer the grant, which will include recruiting, counseling, assessment, and placement for those participating in the program," said Shelley White, Occupational and Public Service Training executive director. "We hope to have this position filled soon with training funds being made available in April."
Historically, North Carolina has ranked as one of the top tobacco-producing states in the country. However, many local farmers are no longer producing tobacco, and others have consolidated their farming efforts requiring less labor. Western North Carolina lost more than 1,700 tobacco farms between 2002 and 2007 and the region as a whole lost farms at a higher rate than the state, according to the 2007 Agriculture Census released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The funding will help the College further its mission of providing career development opportunities, including short-term occupational skills training and a program developed for farmers interested in crop diversification and agri-tourism.
"We are excited to offer 'good news' and support to those who may be struggling to find funds for education during this tough economic time," White said.
The NC Tobacco Trust Fund was created in 2000 by the NC General Assembly to help members of the tobacco community - including farmers, tobacco workers and related businesses - lessen the impact of declining tobacco production. The commission's funding comes from monies paid by cigarette manufacturers as a result of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement.
For more information on Project Skill-UP, contact White at swhite@abtech.edu or Ext. 5836 or Ken O'Connor, Workforce Development Executive Director, at koconnor@abtech.edu or Ext. 5823.
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