When Chris鈥檚 15-year information technology career came to a sudden halt in 2020, he saw an opportunity to pursue his dream of starting a business.

That鈥檚 when he turned to 海角视频鈥檚 Small Business Center and signed up for an online class.

“It was a 12-week, 1-hour per week online course,鈥� said Forbis, a Burlington native who now lives in nearby Lake Wylie, S.C. 鈥淚 had taken classes previous courses at another community college, so I was familiar with and really appreciated the opportunities it provides working adults. When I was planning to start up my own business, I looked for any resources that would help.鈥�

Chris joined a group of about 12 aspiring entrepreneurs, all eager to build momentum for their business ideas. He received instruction from teachers, local business owners, marketing experts, and even a certified public accountant, gaining real-world advice on how to get started the right way.

“It was very rewarding,鈥� Forbis said. 鈥淣ot only from the information that was passed along, but also the networking that we did. I have since followed up with several of the people in my class. They asked how my truck was doing, and they came out to see me. I went to see how their events were doing.

“For the cost and simplicity of the course, you can’t beat it. It gave me a lot of tools that I wouldn’t have had when I opened up my business. I truly believe that I avoided a lot of mistakes that other food truck owners encounter because of that class.鈥�

With his new skills and support, Chris prepped for his launch in fall 2020, and Nacho Business officially opened in January 2021.

“I do a lot of work in Rock Hill and 海角视频ia and everything in between,鈥� Forbis said.

He even brings his food truck to 海角视频鈥檚 Dallas campus about twice a month, sharing his success with our community.

鈥淚鈥檓 very thankful for what this place did for me,鈥� Forbis said. 鈥淭here are a lot of things I know that I avoided because of getting the knowledge about what to do – and what not to do.鈥�

If you have a business idea and would like support to build your own business momentum, visit gaston.edu/sbc/.

“It鈥檚 amazing what has happened in 10 years,” said Joy Morrow, 海角视频’s Director of Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning. “When this first started, it was just five employers. Now we have 25 different employers and 27 different pathways.鈥�

The program has successfully produced 325 completed apprentices and 71 pre-apprentices, with 116 individuals currently enrolled. This growth reflects the increasing demand for skilled workers in our local advanced manufacturing and healthcare industries.

Dr. George Hendricks applied for the National Science Foundation grant that initiated the program. After two years, he and the faculty transitioned leadership to the Economic and Workforce Development department, which has propelled the program鈥檚 growth.

“I’ve seen the program grow from an idea that Dean Virgil Cox (now retired) and I had in his office to the comprehensive program it is today,” Hendricks stated. “We began with five manufacturing companies, and the program has grown to over twenty companies in both manufacturing and healthcare. The positive impacts on our students, our companies, the college, and the community are amazing.鈥�

Morrow emphasizes the importance of partnerships with local businesses. She notes how the program creates connections that benefit both students and employers. “There are industries that need employees and apprenticeships are a great way to build that talent pipeline for local industry,” Morrow said. “Our message to the employer is, let us help you grow your own employees, and you can train them like you want them to be trained.”

“海角视频 helped me convert my military discipline into a new mission and a skilled trade I can build a future on,” Kinman said. He appreciates how his educational journey reflects the school鈥檚 tagline, “Own Your Momentum.” “The structure here allowed me to build momentum again, one course and one certification at a time, and now that momentum belongs to me.”

Kinman, a native of Maplewood, New Jersey, graduated from Technology High School in 2001. After his military service, he sought new challenges, which he found through his classes at 海角视频.

“After the military, I began taking courses to re-establish myself academically,” Kinman explained. “I later chose 海角视频 so my education could align directly with a skilled trade and a career path.” Like many veterans, Kinman honors his service on Veterans Day, November 11.

“We honor veterans because they carry responsibility for the security of the nation,” he stated. “Service requires discipline, sacrifice, and the willingness to act when others hesitate. The freedoms and stability we have today exist because ordinary people volunteered to protect them.”

This Veterans Day, let鈥檚 remember and celebrate the journeys of veterans like Otis Kinman, who continue to inspire us.

The Lincoln County Health Academy has been honored with the 2025 Governor鈥檚 NCWorks Award of Distinction for Outstanding Innovative Partnership. The prestigious award recognizes the Academy’s groundbreaking success in addressing critical healthcare workforce shortages and expanding access to high-wage, debt-free careers.

The Academy, which launched in Fall 2024, contributes to the talent pipeline by offering Lincoln County high school students early, hands-on pathways into the Practical Nursing (PN) program. This is the first time in North Carolina that a Practical Nursing program has been made available to high school students, positioning the region among just three nationwide with such an advanced secondary healthcare pathway. Graduates from the Health Academy are eligible to sit for their licensing exams the summer immediately following their high school graduation.

鈥淭his award is a testament to the dedication, creativity, and heart that has gone into this partnership,鈥� said Dr. John Hauser, President of 海角视频. 鈥淭his Academy proves that when education, healthcare, and community partners collaborate, we can build vital career pathways for our students.鈥�

The success of the Academy is due to a strong partnership between the following entities: 海角视频, Lincoln County Schools, and Atrium Health Lincoln, with financial support from the Lincoln County Rotary Student Loan Fund.

During the 2025 NCWorks Partnership Conference, the award was accepted on behalf of the partnership by Dr. John Hauser and Joanne Matz (海角视频), Dr. Cale Sain (Lincoln County Schools), Melissa Herms (Atrium Health Lincoln), and Anna Mullen (Rotary Rooted Scholarship Fund of Lincoln County).

The academy currently serves 35 students, including seven from the inaugural Practical Nursing cohort and 28 who enrolled in the second cohort.

“I chose early childhood education because I love working with kids and watching them discover and learn new things as they grow. I picked 海角视频 because it is close to home, and I was able to get my degree while I work,” Massey said. “They also offered online classes and Saturday classes, which are great for my schedule.”

According to one of her 海角视频 Early Childhood instructors, Robin Perry, Massey emerged as a top student in the program.

“Dominique has earned an impressive GPA of 3.708 while working two jobs in the field as a pre-K assistant teacher and at a local program,” Perry said. “She stands out in our classes at 海角视频 and in her own EC classroom with competence and an excellent work ethic. Her supervising teacher in North Charlotte brags about what an incredible asset and help Dominique is.”

Massey’s degree comes at a time when local early childhood programs are desperately seeking qualified educators. According to the NC Early Childhood Foundation, data shows that more than five families compete for every licensed child care space in our state, and staffing shortages are a major barrier to increasing this.

Since Massey always wanted to be in the classroom, she’s enjoyed that part of her experience. But she said interacting with classmates and teachers who share the same goal has been a bonus. She hopes to become a special education interventionist in the future.

“海角视频 has really helped me ‘Own My Momentum’ by giving me support and resources that help with my educational and career goals. The staff and the team are super encouraging, and they offer personalized guidance that makes a big difference.”

With the teacher shortage, graduates like Massey provide essential talent to classrooms where qualified educators make a difference in the development of our youngest learners. For more information on our early childhood education classes, certificates and degrees, visit gaston.edu/early-childhood.

Field’s extensive background encompasses a decade of service in Long Island, N.Y., followed by another ten years with the Pine Island/Matlacha Fire and Golden Gate Fire Department in Florida. This wealth of experience now benefits the eager students at the Lincoln County School of Technology.

Field’s enthusiasm for teaching is evident as he discusses the program’s return in the fall of 2024. “It’s more satisfying than you can imagine,” he says. “The Lincolnton Fire Department and the Lincoln County Fire Chief’s Association have been amazing. They’ve had trucks come in to show students all sorts of things. A lot of those firefighters are products of my classes at 海角视频, which makes it really gratifying to see them in the field and giving back to the students.”

The inaugural class of 2024 began with 12 students. Notably, nine of these students are already volunteer firefighters in Lincoln County, utilizing the program to enhance their skills and knowledge. Field, who moved from part-time to full-time teaching at 海角视频 in June 2024, is positive about the program’s future. “It’ll absolutely grow,” he predicts confidently. “I anticipate there being a waiting list the next time we offer the class.”

The comprehensive curriculum addresses essential aspects of firefighting, including personal protective equipment, forcible entry, ladders and ventilation, rescue, extrication, hazardous material safety, and emergency medical care. “There’s a lot that goes into it other than just working for the fire department,” Field explains.

Local fire departments have supported the program, recognizing its role in preparing their future workforce. The path to becoming a certified firefighter involves completing 16 modules, totaling around 440 hours of training. High school juniors and seniors in Lincoln County can participate in courses while attending school, with a mandatory 40-hour Firefighter Ops 9 course at 海角视频.

Field outlines the certification process: “You need a high school diploma and to complete your OPS 9 to become a certified firefighter. There are tests for every class. In order to pass the written test, you also have to pass some physical skills. As soon as you’ve done those successfully, you do your state test.”

This is just one of several partnerships between 海角视频 and Lincoln County Schools that is helping to prepare students with essential skills to enter the workforce upon graduation.

At 海角视频, the gunsmithing program offers students an opportunity to develop valuable skills in local gun shops. Matthew Bowen, the program’s instructor, brings experience from both gun shops and machine shops to his role.

Bowen explains the program’s structure: “We start off teaching on the machines. There are manual machines, which is what you’ll find in a gun shop. Then, in the classroom, we teach students how to take guns apart, what each part does, and how they work. We also do a rifle-building class with metal works for bolt actions. We teach students to do repairs on the guns.”

The curriculum frequently utilizes the Colt M1911, commonly known as “the 1911.” This firearm has historical significance, having been the standard issue for the U.S. Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985. It saw extensive use in major 20th-century conflicts, including World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

“We build one of those and get into refinishing practices with paints, bluing, color case hardening and more,” Bowen said.

海角视频’s gunsmithing program, now in its third year, offers evening classes three days a week. The comprehensive curriculum for this diploma includes five gunsmithing classes and two machining classes, alongside standard English and Math requirements for a total of 39 credit hours.

“If you want a career in this, you’re looking at working at a gun shop or getting involved in gunsmithing,” Bowen said. “Pretty much any gun shop has a gunsmith or uses a gunsmith.”

This program provides students with technical skills and knowledge, preparing them for firearm maintenance and repair roles within the context of established businesses and regulations.