DURHAM, N.C. — Durham Technical Community College has opened a new location at Research Triangle Park.
What You Need To Know
Durham Technical Community College has opened a new location at RTP
It's also where it has launched its Center for Workforce Engagement
The new location positions students near almost 400 established companies within the park
The new location is also home to the college's Center for Workforce Engagement.
This partnership with the Research Triangle Foundation positions Durham Tech in the center of RTP with the park’s 375 established companies and a growing network of 150 emerging startups.
“Being at the park, avails them (students) of that opportunity, without having to travel miles to find other types of employment … this is the place to be," said Jerry Jones, Durham Tech's executive director for the Center for Workforce Engagement.
Jones says their focus is on customized industry training, because he says not every job needs a four-year degree. So, by cutting out what students don’t need they are also saving them money.
"When you look at how much it costs to go to a university, versus how much it costs to go to a community college ... that’s a big difference," Jones said.
Jones got his associate degree from Fayetteville State University and eventually pursued his bachelor's and master's.
Now he is using all of his skills as a liaison between companies and students, helping them pave their own paths to success.
"(It's) not just jobs, but jobs that have the ability to sustain them (students) for cost of living, their families and then moving beyond with that opportunity.”
The campus will help meet growing job needs and connect students with new and emerging businesses. The Center for Workforce Engagement also includes career services, human resources, work-based education and apprenticeships.
Clarification: This article has been updated to state that Jones did not attend community college, but attended Fayetteville State University.