JCC to receive a $500,000 high-cost program grant from State Board of Community Colleges
SMITHFIELD – Johnston Community College (JCC) was awarded half a million dollars to support the creation of a Respiratory Therapy Program. State community colleges are granted the funds through a request for proposals. JCC received the largest amount awarded to a North Carolina community college this year.
In 2023, the General Assembly appropriated ten million dollars to assist North Carolina community colleges in starting new programs in high-demand healthcare fields. These funds will help community colleges build capacity for workforce training in these occupations.
UNC Health Johnston’s CEO, Tommy Williams, says “our job openings for respiratory therapists are some of the hardest to fill. Establishing a program here in our county is a great way to grow our own workforce.”
“I’m especially pleased that we’ll be able to offer students an opportunity to pursue such a rewarding career in health care. And we look forward to offering clinical sites for education and training at our hospital,” Williams adds.
“North Carolina is committed to meeting our workforce needs,” says JCC President Dr. Vern L. Lindquist.
“We are grateful for a state board and legislators who understand that many of these programs are expensive to start up or expand; but if we can get them going, the return on investment is enormous,” Lindquist adds.
