Groundbreak Carolinas

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Workforce

Western NC Construction Career Day Draws 600 High Schoolers: Inspiration for a Resilient Region

by Joan Krause on

In early May 2025, the annual Western NC (WNC) Construction Career Day brought together nearly 600 high school students from 14 school districts to explore careers throughout the construction industry.

Branch wrote in a recent Company LinkedIn post, “Western North Carolina (WNC) Construction Career Day gave us hope – in our region, the future, and the students who want to rebuild their mountain towns and communities after the devastation of Hurricane Helene.”

The post continued, “Early in the day, it became abundantly clear: This generation wants to do more than just build roads, hospitals, and schools – they want to build legacies, to be a part of something greater than themselves. They want to invest their heart and grit into a resilient region that refuses to give up.”

Branch signed off with, “Big thanks to the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board for uniting the industry to highlight these pathways for students!”

John Anglin

John Anglin, Branch’s Business Development Manager, based in the Greater Asheville area, noted “WNC Construction Career Day (CCD) is one of my favorite events of the year! In early planning for this year’s event, it was considered to possibly not hold the event due to Helene’s impact on the region. I’m glad the decision was to have ‘the show go on’ because this year’s CCD ended up being one of the best ones yet, in my opinion.”

Anglin went on to say, “What an honor it is to serve on the WNC CCD Committee with fine folks from a host of agencies/companies that includes: Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, Land of Sky Regional Council, Southwestern Commission, High Country Workforce Development Board, Blue Ridge Community College, Asheville City Schools, Haywood Community College, Branch, James R. Vannoy & Sons Construction Company, Inc., MB HAYNES Corporation, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Buncombe County Schools, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, and Yancey County School District.