Innovative HOPE program at FTCC awarded $2 million in ARP funding by Cumberland County

By Staff Report, posted Jun 30, 2022 on BizFayetteville.com

Left to right: Cumberland County Commissioner Charles Evans, FTCC Senior Vice President Mark Sorrells, County Manager Amy Cannon, County Commissioner Toni Stewart, County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe and County Commissioner Glenn Adams.

FTCC will receive $2 million dollars in funding from the American Rescue Plan to go toward its new adult-learner program.

The Hope, Opportunity and Prosperity through Education program provides accelerated training to residents in Cumberland County that don’t have a college degree for desirable skills.

News of the funding was announced at the Skilled Trades and Technology Expo at FTCC that was cohosted by FTCC, Fayetteville Public Works Commission, NC Works and the Mid-Carolina Regional Council.

“As part of the program, FTCC plans to partner with employers to provide HOPE students with work-based learning internships and on-the-job training (OJT) experiences,” a press release from the college said. “Part of the $2 million from the county’s American Rescue Plan funds will help provide cost-of-living stipends to participating students during the initial training and internship experiences. Students will then be eligible for employment with businesses participating in the OJT program.”

Some of the HOPE programs that FTCC wishes to establish include wood-frame construction, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, property maintenance and automotive service technician. Plans call for other programs to be added later.

Missy Akin, Director of Workforce Partnerships for the HVAC company Brady Services, said the labor workforce shortage is apparent in their field.

“For every seven technicians we lose, we’re only getting four,” she said.

The HOPE Program seeks to fill that need and similar workforce gaps.

Some of these courses will begin as early as the fall of this year.

“This funding is a critical boost for this important program,” said Dr. Mark Sorrells, FTCC’s Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Services. “HOPE aims to help people quickly learn valuable skills that can lead to good-paying jobs. That helps prepare individuals for in-demand jobs that pay well, it helps employers find talent and support continuous training, and it helps improve the economic conditions in the county.”

Cumberland County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe said the program “can help change the trajectory of individuals and families that are trapped in generational poverty.”

Glenn Adams, chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, said, “This money will change peoples’ lives.”

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