MECC announces closure of Center for Workforce and Innovation of Appalachia

Mountain Empire Community College announced that it closed its Center for Workforce and Innovation of Appalachia and has relocated its Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and linemen training courses. The college said the facility has served as a hub for workforce education and skills training since 2019. The center is located at the former Appalachia Elementary School and was initially established to house the college’s Power Line Worker Training Program, CDL training, Dental Assisting program, and other workforce-focused education. The college said the decision to close the facility came after a comprehensive review of enrollment trends, program needs, and operational efficiencies. The school also said it paused enrollment in its Dental Assisting program while leaders “evaluate strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of program operations and explore opportunities to expand into other oral health-related training fields. MECC’s power line worker and CDL training programs were relocated to its main campus and classes are continuing. The college said that the closure will allow leaders to focus more on student success and less on facility operations.