CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina nonprofit helping to strengthen workforce development and economic mobility is celebrating five years in the Queen City community.  

What You Need To Know

  • NCIA Vocational Training Center is celebrating five years in the Charlotte community
  • The center has equipped hundreds of residents for careers like HVAC and commercial driving 
  • One North Carolina graduate shares how the program has changed his life for the better 

NCIA Vocational Training Center opened its Charlotte doors in 2020. Since that time, VTC has enrolled over 900 graduates, with 80% earning industry recognized credentials for careers in HVAC, automotive repair or commercial driving.

The center’s programs are designed to help populations trying to overcome societal barriers, including returning citizens and economically disadvantaged individuals.

“We're passionate about serving folks in the community that don't have access to education and training,” said NCIA VTC Program Director Christine Poltawsky. “That may be people who are identify as low income or a non-traditional student that's not going to follow that college path."

VTC is fully funded through grants, private donors and foundations. This allows participants to get the training they need with zero financial obligations.  

"The more funding we have, the more people we can serve and the more lives we can change," Poltawsky said.

VTC has partnered with organizations like the Department of Health and Human Services and TransTech to expand service offerings for more students.

But the nonprofit says recent reductions in federal funding for workforce development programs puts funding needs at risk.

“By cutting those types of funding, you're threatening programs like ours that are trying to offer high quality affordable training. That will push us to focus more on the community, corporate sponsors [and] private donors. It's really a time for our community to come together and help us make a difference," Poltawsky said. 

Graduate Lafayette Graham credits VTC for changing his life for the better.

“Creating a better life now for myself and my family,” Graham said.  

Graham first joined VTC in 2021 while training in the CDL program, but he had to take a break from the training after experiencing a hand injury.

In spring 2024, Graham re-enrolled in the VTC automotive program, which helped him become fully certified to work for Woodie's Automotive.

"It's just life-changing," Graham said. "It's just life-changing," Graham said. 

NCIA VTC Charlotte has earned recognitions for it’s work, including the Mecklenburg County Unified Workforce Development Team’s Appreciation Award in 2022.

VTC is currently recruiting for its next cohort. Classes start on Feb. 24 for training in automotive and HVAC careers.

"We're always in need of more employment partners so if anyone is hiring for these positions we would love it if you would reach out. We have skilled students ready to go," Poltawsky said.