Members of the Board of Trustees at Sandhills Community College unanimously voted on Aug. 4 in favor of leasing a new workforce trades building in Raeford, NC, to support the community’s interest and desire to fill positions in Hoke County for area businesses. The first two courses that will launch this fall will be small engine repair and electrical level 1. The “Sandhills Community College Workforce Trades Building - Hoke” will be located at 2550 Aberdeen Road, Raeford, N.C., just west of Raeford.
“We listened to our business partners in the community and are excited to help fill demand in the skilled trades that are needed in the community,” said President Alexander “Sandy” Stewart in a press release. “We’re excited to set up a shop for small engine repair and electrical work to get things rolling with hands-on training for these high demand positions. The location is ideal and fitted for exactly what we need to teach these desirable skills.
The new facility is an extension of the Sandhills Community College’s Hoke Center campus at 1110 East Central Avenue in Raeford, NC, also the home of SandHoke Early College High School.
“Extending our skilled trade training offerings in Hoke County is an effort our team has been working on with the support of the community leaders, schools and area businesses,” said Vice Provost Michelle Bauer in a press release. “The residents in the area are looking to gain or upskill their talent and land positions in the community where they can stay local and contribute their skills for a meaningful life.”
The small engine repair course will include learning skills to become a small engine mechanic, gaining knowledge in disassembly, inspections, cleaning and repairs of small engines. The electrical level 1 course introduces students to the electrical trade, safety, circuits and residential electrical services, amongst other topics. Students will have hands-on training in the electrical trade and gain national credentials that employers are looking for in their workforce.
Class offerings and registration details will be announced soon on the Sandhills Community College website and media outlets, with courses anticipated to start around Sept. 14, 2026. Additional classes in the future are expected to include welding and HVAC.
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