News and Features

Central Piedmont Community College and UNC Charlotte – the Charlotte region's two largest higher-ed institutions – are strengthening their five-year commitment to growing the workforce in Charlotte-Mecklenburg through an updated partnership agreement. 

The agreement, recently signed by the leaders of the two institutions, builds on 49erNext, UNC Charlotte’s successful co-admission program first launched in 2019, and formally recognizes an added pathway for Central Piedmont students to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the high-demand area of data science. 

“Central Piedmont Community College is UNC Charlotte’s largest transfer partner by far,” said UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “This renewed agreement affirms our longstanding commitment to provide accessible, affordable, quality higher education to students here in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.” 

“The 49erNext program has been a great success because it offers students a direct pathway to a four-year degree as well as an avenue to greater economic mobility,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont president. “The program is a tremendous benefit to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community as we seek to produce more individuals with bachelor’s degrees to meet our growing workforce demands. 49erNext also is a wonderful example of the region’s two largest institutions of higher education working together to serve students and be economic development accelerators.”

Through the updated formalized agreement, Central Piedmont students in the Associate in Applied Science programs in Information Technology/Data Analysis, Information Technology/ Full Stack Programming, and Information Technology/ Software Development now have a path to pursue a bachelor’s degree in data science, the first degree of its kind in North Carolina. Students can transfer up to 64 credit hours toward their bachelor’s degree. 

A bachelor’s in data science, offered through UNC Charlotte's fast-growing School of Data Science, creates opportunities for high-demand careers such as data science engineer, data analyst, research engineer, and data science developer. 

Several new agreements are also in the pipeline between UNC Charlotte and Central Piedmont, as the institutions continue to streamline student transfer processes. 

For 2022-23: 

• About 17% of Charlotte’s 23,000 undergraduates had transfer credits from Central Piedmont.
• 16% of UNC Charlotte bachelor graduates were Central Piedmont transfers. 

UNC Charlotte is the No. 1 destination for North Carolina community college transfer students. 49erNext first launched with Central Piedmont in 2019 and has grown to include six community college partners. The program maximizes transfer credits through degree plans and regular data exchange between UNC Charlotte and the participating community college to ensure students’ progress toward the timely completion of a baccalaureate degree.

Last fall, 93% of 49erNext transfer students were admitted into their preferred majors. 

Alma Adams, U.S. House representative for North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District, came to Central Piedmont’s Central Campus on Feb. 20, where she saw high-tech, cutting-edge facilities in which students are gaining high-demand healthcare skills.

Central Piedmont President Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer welcomed Rep. Adams and her staff to the college. The group toured Central Piedmont’s Leon Levine Health Sciences Center and its many simulation labs and clinics, where healthcare program students gain valuable clinical experience. College leaders shared Central Piedmont’s plans to expand its nursing and other healthcare programs to help meet a growing need for care providers in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region.

The Congresswoman also met with four Central Piedmont’s Ruth G. Shaw Scholars. The group talked about good leadership qualities and Adams’ journey of service as a local, state, and U.S. elected official. 

Adams was elected to her fifth full term representing the 12th district in 2022. She serves on the Committee on Education & the Workforce and the Committee on Agriculture. She holds several leadership roles: as Assistant Whip for the Democratic Caucus, Ranking Member of the Committee on Education & Labor’s Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, and co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, the Black Maternal Health Caucus, and the e-Learning Caucus. She has previously served on multiple committees, including the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Small Business.

Central Piedmont Community College and Mecklenburg County Public Health are partnering to participate in National Give Kids a Smile Day by offering free dental services to Mecklenburg children on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Between 200 and 300 children will receive free dental cleanings and screenings, vision screenings, immunizations, health education, and other family resources. Mecklenburg Public Health employees and Central Piedmont health sciences faculty, staff, and students donate their time providing services and care. 

“We are excited to serve our community, especially the children who need us the most,” said Raydiance Swanston, Mecklenburg County Public Health Pediatric Dental Clinic manager. “We will provide these vital oral health services to families who do not have health insurance. But while the event is focused on children, we also are ready to serve the entire family.”

Also participating in the event will be Atrium Health’s Women's Care Drive to Thrive mobile unit, a Vision to Learn mobile unit and a mammogram bus. All services and wellness information will be provided in English and Spanish.

• What: National Give Kids a Smile Day program
• When:  
  • Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024
  • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where:  
  • Central Piedmont Community College
  • Central Campus
  • Worrell Building Gymnasium
  • 1228 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte

North Carolina data shows that 11.3 percent of kindergartners in state Region IV, including Mecklenburg County, have tooth decay. Dental disease in children can be reduced effectively through prevention initiatives for oral health. Such efforts reduce loss-of-learning time due to school absences. About 25 percent of children in Mecklenburg County are found to have untreated cavities in their permanent teeth, with the majority coming from low-income families.

“I am proud of our collective efforts to bring ‘Give Kids A Smile Day’ back to Mecklenburg County this year,” said Dr. Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg County Public Health director. “We are excited and thankful for the partnership with Central Piedmont, allowing our teams to help more children and families than ever before.”

Central Piedmont Community College is delighted to partner with the Atrium Health Women's Care Drive to Thrive, a groundbreaking mobile care unit dedicated to providing a comprehensive range of women's health services. This initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing healthcare access and equity in our community.

About the Women's Care Drive to Thrive:

Atrium Health’s Women's Care Drive to Thrive is a mobile unit offering a variety of essential services in a friendly and supportive environment. The unit is open to all community members and offers both scheduled and walk-in appointments, with bilingual staff available for Spanish-speaking patients.

Services Provided:

The mobile clinic includes a range of vital services, such as:

• Screening for cervical cancer, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted infections
• Access to birth control
• First-time prenatal visits and postpartum care
• Ultrasound services
• Mammogram referrals
• On-site social worker to help connect patients with resources

Cost and Insurance Information:

Service costs vary based on individual insurance plans. For those without insurance, a sliding scale is applied, often resulting in no charge.

Central Piedmont Operating Hours and Location:

The clinic operates on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on the Central Campus. The mobile unit sets up in Parking lot 11, at 1425 Elizabeth Ave., adjacent to the Leon Levine Health Sciences Center, which fronts Elizabeth Avenue and Charlottetowne Avenue.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 704.468.0137, though walk-ins also are welcome.

Central Piedmont Community College will expand its nursing programs to accommodate more students and help meet the need for more registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region.

Central Piedmont will expand its Associate Degree in Nursing Program from 200 to 300 students beginning May 2024. In turn, Central Piedmont will more than double the size of its Practical Nursing Program from 24 to 64 students. The Dickson Practical Nursing Program will add a second start date, giving students the option of beginning the program in either January or August.

By expanding its nursing programs, Central Piedmont will offer two new options for students – an accelerated associate degree in nursing track and an LPN-to-associate-degree in nursing bridge program.

The accelerated associate degree in nursing program will give motivated students who can attend school full-time (up to 37 hours per week) the opportunity to complete their studies in 14-15 months. In addition to the rigorous class schedule, students will need to study outside of class 10-15 hours per week. The program will open with its first class in May 2024.

The LPN-to-ADN bridge option is designed to give licensed practical nurses a path to earn their associate degree in nursing and become registered nurses. The program will span three semesters and take one year to complete. The program, which will include on-campus and online classes, will open May 2025.

“Central Piedmont is excited to offer more opportunities for individuals to pursue careers in nursing,” said Karen Summers, Central Piedmont dean of health sciences. “Nursing is a high-demand, high-need health career field, particularly in the Mecklenburg County region. We look forward to welcoming more students into our nursing programs.”

See the Central Piedmont website for information about the more than 20 healthcare programs offered by the college or contact the college via email.

For information specifically about the accelerated associate degree in nursing program that will open in May, visit the college website.

Central Piedmont Community College is proud to announce the successful launch of the first full year of the tuition prepayment program in collaboration with the City of Charlotte. This innovative program began in October 2022 and has welcomed back City of Charlotte employee scholars this fall, marking a significant step towards educational empowerment and career advancement for city employees.

As of fall 2023, 219 City of Charlotte employees have applied for the tuition prepayment program, with 121 participating in classes. Programs include a diverse range of course delivery methods, with 108 taking online courses, 11 in person, and 2 in hybrid formats.

The program offers flexibility for the spring 2024 term with 16-week, 12-week, 8-week, and 4-week sessions. Already, 76 City of Charlotte employees are poised to begin classes on January 8th, highlighting the ongoing success and accessibility of the program.

Central Piedmont remains committed to providing a comprehensive educational experience, offering associate degree programs in business administration, civil engineering, and certification and professional development courses like HR Offerings, Grant Writing, and Cyber Security.

Marcia Colson, Associate VP of Applied Programs & Workforce Pathways, celebrates this partnership, stating, "The City of Charlotte is our third largest employer sponsorship. We are swiftly approaching the 200-student mark, a testament to the program's efficacy and the city's dedication to its workforce."

"The personal and professional development of our employees is essential to creating upward mobility within our organization," said Sheila Simpson, City of Charlotte Director of Human Resources. "Our partnership with Central Piedmont removes a financial barrier and provides an opportunity for employees to learn new skills and explore new careers available with the city. I'm happy that our staff are taking advantage of this program as they continue to grow and provide quality service to our community."

City employees hail the program as a gateway to new career opportunities. One student said, "The Tuition Prepayment Program is a great opportunity for people looking to broaden their career horizons." Another adds, "This kind of opportunity is virtually unheard of...I highly recommend taking advantage of this rare opportunity for a free education."

The prepayment program is available for all City of Charlotte employees. Employees interested in the tuition prepayment program must complete an internal application with the City of Charlotte human resources department.

This partnership underscores the shared commitment of the City of Charlotte and Central Piedmont Community College to upskill and reskill employees, preparing them for the dynamic challenges of their current and future roles within the City of Charlotte.

Central Piedmont Community College is thrilled to announce that the application cycle for the Coca-Cola Consolidated Apprenticeship Program is now open. This hands-on learning opportunity is designed to "earn and learn," providing paid apprenticeships to stimulate interest in high-demand positions in the manufacturing, equipment repair, and logistics sectors at Coke Consolidated's facilities in the Charlotte area.

Application Cycle Now Open:

Central Piedmont is accepting interest inquiries for the program, which begins in Summer 2024 and spans 12 months. After expressing interest, Coke Consolidated will contact candidates to provide additional information and to complete the application process. During the program, apprentices will work approximately 20 hours weekly while completing three to four college courses each semester. Apprentices will transition to full-time positions upon successful completion of the program.

Coke Consolidated launched an apprenticeship program at Central Piedmont Community College in spring 2023 to provide formal learning through Central Piedmont and on the job experience in high-demand skilled labor positions in the following business areas at Coke Consolidated: manufacturing, equipment services and fleet maintenance at our Charlotte-area facilities. 

Program Details

Eligible applicants will gain paid experience through part-time roles at Coca-Cola Consolidated and its transportation subsidiary Red Classic Transportation, alongside financial support for career certificates, preparing them for positions such as:

• Manufacturing & Warehouse Mechanic: Including the completion of Industrial Automation Technician I & two certificates
• Diesel Mechanic (Red Classic Transportation): Including the completion of Over the Road Specialist I & two certificates
• Equipment Services Reconditioning Technician: Focusing on HVAC and electrical skills, including an HVAC-R Technology specialization in Industry Introduction

The fundamental requirement for these apprenticeships is a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification.

Information Sessions:

Central Piedmont invites prospective candidates to attend an Information Session to engage with representatives from Coke Consolidated and the college. These sessions offer detailed insights into the apprenticeship program and the career certificates that can pave the way for a future at Coke Consolidated.

Central Piedmont is proud to work with Coke Consolidated to offer these apprenticeships, reinforcing our dedication to creating career pathways that align with industry needs and student success.

For complete program information, visit cpcc.edu/coke.

The Duke Energy Foundation has given Central Piedmont Community College a grant of $48,000 to support the college’s utility line worker program.

The grant is part of $350,000 the Duke Energy Foundation is providing to support 11 community colleges across North Carolina working to create a pipeline of skilled line workers that will help meet the energy industry's future workforce needs. With this additional funding, the Foundation has awarded more than $6.7 million over the past five years in support of workforce development programs with a focus on the energy sector.

“Central Piedmont Community College thanks the Duke Energy Foundation for its investment in Central Piedmont's utility line worker program," said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont president. "The generous grant will benefit our students directly by helping them purchase the equipment and materials they need to start the program. We appreciate the Duke Energy Foundation's support and partnership as the college works to train individuals in a high-skills, high-demand field.”

As Duke Energy (DUK NYSE) executes its clean energy transition, the need for a skilled workforce is growing rapidly. Line workers play an integral role in a more efficient, more reliable digital grid. The company’s investment into line worker training programs and coordination with community colleges will result in a more diverse talent pipeline for the utility industry.

“Given North Carolina’s tremendous growth, line workers are essential to strengthening our infrastructure and allowing our communities to thrive,” said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “These grants are one way we can create access to workforce development opportunities across the state, helping ensure our workforce diversity reflects the communities we serve, live and work in.”

Central Piedmont announced the creation of its line worker program in late 2022 and began conducting classes and training in late-July 2023. Duke Energy provided a start-up boost by giving the college a grant of $500,000. The Pike Corporation also helped by providing much needed equipment to establish the program at the college’s Harper Campus.

The program’s first class graduated on Dec. 15. The six new graduates will help meet a growing need in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region for well-trained, highly skilled utility line workers. As Central Piedmont continues to grow the program, its goal will be to produce more than 100 graduates every 12 months.

As part of the program, students undertake a rigorous curriculum and achieve a 580-hour academic and field training goal. Students who complete the 16-week program will be able to enter the workforce quickly and will have earned multiple, specialized industry training credentials, including OSHA, CPR, Arc Flash Safety for Utilities, Bucket Truck Rescue, Class A CDL License, Pole Top Rescue, and Work Zone Flagger.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates about 23,000 openings for line installers and repairers will be available each year, on average, over the next decade. With this trend in mind, the college, Duke Energy and Pike have partnered to develop a pipeline of diverse, skilled, and talented utility line workers by investing in the education and career development of local, Mecklenburg County citizens.

Visit the college website for more information about the utility line worker program at Central Piedmont, or call 704-330-4223.

Central Piedmont Community College will soon become an official Hyundai training provider as part of the Hyundai Performance Institute Technician Student Program. Central Piedmont will launch the curriculum that prepares students to work as Hyundai technicians in early 2024.

Students in Central Piedmont’s two-year associate-degree program in Automotive Systems Technology will be able to choose the Hyundai track that includes both express and certified technician pathways. Students who complete the program will be assigned to a Hyundai/Genesis dealership, where they will become fully certified Hyundai service technicians.

Central Piedmont’s Hyundai Performance Institute Technician Student Program will be based at the Levine Campus, Matthews. Central Piedmont is one of about 120 community colleges across the United States partnering with Hyundai to offer the specialized program. There are nine Hyundai/Genesis dealerships within the greater Charlotte area.

For more information about Central Piedmont’s Automotive Systems Technology program, including degree, diploma and certificate tracks, as well as other programs within the college’s Transportation Systems division, see the college website, or contact Christopher Facente, associate dean for transportation, at 704-330-2722, ext. 7331, and christopher.facente@cpcc.edu.

Each year, during Charlotte’s Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, awards are given to minority firms in various categories, including Construction, General Services, Professional Services, Supply and Manufacturing, and Diversity Advocacy, who provide excellent service throughout the year. During this year’s Charlotte MED Week awards luncheon, Central Piedmont Community College was honored as the Workforce Development Community Partner of the Year. 

This distinguished award is evidenced by the ongoing efforts and collaboration of Central Piedmont’s Small Business Center and Procurement Services teams. The Small Business Center (SBC) is an anchor for the business community, with 340 business clients counseled and 1,300 counseling hours offered in 2021-22. Aside from counseling and workshops, the center offers free small and medium conference rooms and a large classroom as a small business resource.

The Small Business Center also offers “Equity in Contracting.” An initiative providing targeted assistance to help small businesses compete to win government contracts and emphasizing diversity to create a more equitable environment. As part of the program, underrepresented businesses are helped to become more familiar with government contracting processes and certifications. Specialized 1-on-1 counseling is provided in a guided 12-week session designed to assess business readiness and receive back-office assistance, including accounting, human resources, legal assistance, marketing, and technology. Some 150 businesses have participated in the program.

The SBC also offers the “Business LaunchPad” program in partnership with Mecklenburg County’s Office of Economic Development to enhance minority- and women-owned small business participation in government contracting opportunities. Launched in fall 2021, Business LaunchPad is an exclusive, no-cost, 16-week program that includes classroom instruction, subject matter experts, guest speakers, practical exercises, and participation in “real-world’ workshops and events.

The MED Workforce Development Community Partner of the Year award is currently on display in the Small Business Center and affords open discussions with community clients who enter the SBC offices to learn about the impact of the Small Business Center within the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. 

To learn more about the free services and space utilization opportunities available through the Small Business Center, call 704-330-6736 or send an email.