NC Gov. Roy Cooper, center, visits an electric vehicle class at FTCC on Sept. 28, 2023. [Photo by Brad Losh]
Gov. Roy Cooper visited Fayetteville Technical Community College on Thursday to celebrate Clean Energy Week and highlight FTCC’s innovative military workforce training programs.
FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells provided a guided tour of a solar panel demonstration, an electric vehicle class and FTCC’s All American Veterans Center.
“Fayetteville Technical Community College is doing critical work to help our veterans transition into civilian jobs and help prepare people to take on all of the good-paying, clean energy jobs coming to our state,” Cooper said. “North Carolina continues to strive to be America’s most military-friendly state as well as the epicenter of clean energy.”
Cooper has proclaimed Sept. 25–29, 2023, as Clean Energy Week to highlight the state’s progress in transitioning to a clean energy future.
“At Fayetteville Technical Community College, we pride ourselves on preparing students for the jobs and careers of today and tomorrow,” said FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells. “Our mission is keenly focused on preparing a workforce aligned with the economic development needs of our state and region. Clean energy is a critical element in creating a more sustainable economic base for our future.
“When community college students succeed, we all have a brighter future. FTCC is proud to be part of the Exceptional 58 that make up the NC Community College System.”
NC Gov. Roy Cooper (right) and FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells (left) visit a solar panel construction display at FTCC on Sept. 28, 2023. [Photo by Brad Losh]
N.C. Department of Environment Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser joined Cooper on the tour.
“Training courses like the ones at Fayetteville Tech are clear examples of how we can achieve our environmental and climate goals while preparing students for jobs in the clean energy economy,” Biser said.
Joining Cooper and Sorrells on the campus tour were FTCC Board Of Trustees Chairman William Hedgepeth and fellow Trustees Suzannah Tucker, Chandan Shankar and Caroline Gregory, several Fayetteville and Cumberland County officials, as well as Brig. Gen. Colin Tuley, Deputy Commanding General of the 18th Airborne Corps.
Fayetteville Technical Community College serves over 28,000 students annually and provides 280+ occupational, technical, general education, college transfer, and continuing education programs. FTCC has expanded its clean energy workforce training programs, which include a solar power construction course for high school students and a hybrid-electric transportation course.
Brig. Gen. Colin Tuley (right), Deputy Commanding General of the 18th Airborne Corps, talks with Gov. Roy Cooper and Dr. Mark Sorrells inside an FTCC computer lab on Sept. 28, 2023. [Photo by Brad Losh]
FTCC is also focused on helping service members and veterans gain the skills needed to take on new jobs. The FTCC All American Veterans Center was created to honor veterans and to provide a location where veterans can gather, find assistance, and receive the support necessary to ensure their success at FTCC and beyond.
FTCC offers Transition Tech, a training program transitioning military service members into civilian jobs. Transition Tech is a training program for transitioning military service members that provides industry-focused certificates and credentials, resume assistance, and mock interview opportunities designed to prepare individuals to enter the civilian workforce. These courses are free to veterans and active duty service members in transition through a partnership with Workforce Development (NC Works).
Gov. Roy Cooper (second from right) looks on as two students work on an electric vehicle at FTCC on Sept. 28, 2023. [Photo by Brad Losh]
