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In celebration of �鶹Ӱ��nical Community College’s 60th anniversary, the College is publishing 60 for 60 – a storytelling campaign that highlights the people, places, and events that have progressed and shaped the College’s six decades of impact. To view more 60 for 60 stories, visit www.durhamtech.edu/60for60.

When the City of �鶹Ӱ�� experienced a nursing shortage in the 1960’s, �鶹Ӱ�� responded in short order with a thriving practical nursing program that continues today.

It’s believed to be the College’s first community partnership program created to meet a vital need for the community. In recent years, the College has partnered with major employers in the Triangle to provide diverse talent and specialized programs.

In 2020, �鶹Ӱ�� developed an Electrical Line Technician program to meet the need for line workers, as identified by Duke Energy and Piedmont Electric Cooperative.

Both organizations helped fund the program. James Brandon Kidd, a 2022 graduate of the program, said his experience was extremely positive and he was excited to learn something new every day. 

Kidd secured a job with Duke Energy before he completed the program.

"I found a career that I am extremely excited about. I feel like I have a knack for it and I think this class helped to bring out those qualities and show me what the possibilities are throughout this journey,” Kidd said.

One year later, �鶹Ӱ�� developed an expedited Central Sterile Processing program for UNC Health, a community health worker course for the Latinx community with El Centro Hispano, and a Bio-Agricultural Program Readiness Opportunity with Global Agricultural Development Corporation and North Carolina State University.  

“Not all community college programs in surgical instrument sterile processing offer their students hands-on clinical experience. The fact that �鶹Ӱ�� does and engages UNC as their sites – it gives everyone a chance to learn more,” said Mark Harris, Director of Perioperative Supply Chain & Administration at UNC Hospital.

Earlier this spring, the College announced two new partnership programs: a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina collaboration to offer a five-year insurance career pathway to diversify the insurance sales workforce in North Carolina, as well as a 911 Academy with the City of �鶹Ӱ�� with support from �鶹Ӱ�� and Orange counties.

The 911 Academy aims to address the need for 911 telecommunicators, a growing need in the region.

“I have asked �鶹Ӱ�� to assist the City in addressing the challenges with our 911 system. One thing is clear, we need more trained 911 dispatchers,” �鶹Ӱ�� Mayor Elaine O’Neal said during the 911 Academy announcement. “�鶹Ӱ�� will provide high-quality standardized training to prepare individuals to serve as dispatchers for the City and other communications centers in �鶹Ӱ�� and Orange County.”

For more information, contact Desiree Towson, M.S., Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, at allisontowsond@durhamtech.edu.