Garrett Hinshaw, President, Catawba Valley Community College

In an interview with Invest:, Garrett Hinshaw discussed how Catawba Valley Community College is aligning workforce development with Alexander County’s long-term economic goals through strong local partnerships, industry-driven training, and expanded access to education. He emphasized the county’s untapped potential and the importance of creating clear pathways that connect students with local careers. “Our goal is to build relationships with young people early so they recognize the available opportunities and choose to build their careers close to home,” Hinshaw said.

How would you describe the outlook for workforce development in Alexander County, and what trends are having the biggest impact?

The biggest factor with Alexander County is the potential that lies there. They have a lot of land, a lot of opportunities, and natural resources. The partnerships we’ve created with the local school system have opened doors for different occupations, from manufacturing to the trades, including welding, HVAC, and electrical work. Those are viable careers in this region that create marketable skill sets for the people who participate in those programs.

How is the college helping businesses grow, attract talent, and support new investment across the county?

Our biggest role is continuing to partner with the county commissioners around their goals for future growth and listening to the citizens to understand their needs and plans. We want to help build sustainable manufacturing and businesses that diversify the economy while capitalizing on the county’s natural assets.

How are you adapting programs to meet employer needs, and where do you see the greatest opportunities?

Furniture has long been a cornerstone of Alexander County, so we created the Alexander Furniture Academy to deliver skilled employees to that industry. We have now graduated close to 400 students, and they have all found meaningful work in the furniture sector.

The academy was designed directly from conversations with industry leaders about the skills they needed, and their employees provide the instruction, ensuring participants receive relevant, high-quality training.

We also continue to see tremendous growth in trades and advanced manufacturing programs. Engineering, mechatronics, and other manufacturing-related programs remain strong opportunities because manufacturing continues to be a major part of our regional economy.

How do you decide where to invest and ensure programs remain aligned with employers’ needs?

For us, it is all about relationships. We maintain strong partnerships with business and industry leaders, elected officials, and Alexander County Schools. We listen carefully to what they need and then develop programs and facilities that respond to those needs.

Alexander County is a considerable drive from our main campus, so we have been expanding our campus there to provide additional programs closer to where people live. We are developing industrial machining programs and exploring agriculture as another opportunity because agriculture remains an important part of the local economy. We want to provide education that supports both current workforce needs and future growth.

How is the college preparing students and faculty for artificial intelligence, automation, and other emerging technologies?

Our college has been identified as a West Regional Teaching and Learning Hub, so we work with partners across the region on how AI is transforming education and the workforce. We want students to understand how AI can help them build valuable skills that employers need.

We also continue working with business and industry on automation and improving operational efficiency. Much of that work is supported through the Manufacturing Solutions Center located on our campus.

What trends are you seeing in how students pursue education today, and how are you making education more flexible?

The biggest change is the demand for stackable credentials. Students want specific skill sets they can earn in a shorter amount of time and then build upon them throughout their careers.

We see students moving in and out of our educational ecosystem as their careers evolve. Our goal is to create clear pathways so they can return whenever they are ready to gain additional credentials and continue advancing professionally.

Who are you primarily serving today, and where do you see opportunities for enrollment growth?

We are placing significant focus on high school students. North Carolina offers opportunities for them to earn college credit while still in high school, and that often encourages them to continue completing their credentials after graduation.

We also hear consistently from our business and industry partners that their workforce is aging. As a result, we have expanded internships, apprenticeships, and other programs that connect students with employers early. Those partnerships continue to grow every year.

How would you describe Alexander County’s workforce to a company considering expansion there?

There is a great deal of talent in Alexander County, along with tremendous opportunity for businesses to relocate and succeed in an area that has faced economic challenges for many years.

The biggest thing I would highlight about Alexander County is the potential that exists there. We are aggressively pursuing that potential to ensure the workforce is prepared as new opportunities emerge and the local economy continues to develop.

How are you attracting, retaining, and developing your own faculty and staff?

Our biggest focus is valuing the individual. We demonstrate that through both compensation and engagement. We want faculty and staff to feel involved in the college’s decision-making processes, so we have established systems that ensure their voices are heard.

When people know they are respected and valued, it creates an environment where they want to stay. Whenever we receive additional resources, I invest in people first. I do not immediately focus on new buildings or equipment. Investing in people has created a sustainable pipeline for our institution.

Looking ahead, what educational opportunities and investments will have the greatest impact on Alexander County’s long-term competitiveness?

Diversifying the programs we can deliver in Alexander County is critical. We want people to understand that manufacturing facilities offer many different career paths, including accounting, web design, and numerous other professions.

Our goal is to build relationships with young people early so they recognize the available opportunities and choose to build their careers close to home. That will strengthen the county’s economy over the long term.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Alexander County is a place where the possibilities are endless. Success depends on partnership. Resources may be limited, but when everyone works together and leverages the assets that already exist, there is tremendous opportunity to accomplish great things. That’s the vision we need to pursue moving forward.