North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Visits Catawba Valley Furniture Academy
Tour highlights workforce innovation and industry collaboration in furniture manufacturing.
05/13/2025
HICKORY, N.C. — North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Luke Farley visited the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy on Tuesday, May 13, to tour the state-of-the-art workforce training facility and learn more about its impact on the region’s advanced manufacturing sector.
Commissioner Farley was led on the tour by Bill McBrayer, a member of the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges and a longtime advocate for workforce development. McBrayer was a key figure in the creation of the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy at Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC). The academy, established to meet the growing technical skill demands of North Carolina’s furniture industry, is widely recognized as a model for industry-driven training and public-private partnership.
“It was an honor to tour the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy. A special thank you to NC Community College System Board Member Bill McBrayer for coordinating the visit, and to CVCC President Dr. Garrett D. Hinshaw and his team for the warm welcome and tour, “said Commissioner Farley.
“I am especially excited to showcase the talent of these students by hosting furniture built by CVCC students at our NC Department of Labor offices in Raleigh. Their craftsmanship is a true testament to the strength of North Carolina’s skilled workforce.”
Joining the tour were CVCC President Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, Vice President of K-64 and Talent Development Dr. Robin Ross, and Executive Dean of Economic Development and Corporate Education Gary Muller. Together, the leadership team showcased how the academy’s hands-on curriculum is helping prepare students for in-demand careers while fueling economic growth across the region.
“We are always grateful when our state leaders take the time to visit and engage with the work happening on the ground,” said Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, President of Catawba Valley Community College. “When government representatives see firsthand how programs like the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy are preparing students for high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing, it reinforces the vital role community colleges play in shaping North Carolina’s economic future.”
Mr. McBrayer, who has served on numerous boards and commissions in Catawba County and the City of Hickory, emphasized the importance of sustained investment in skills-based education. “This academy represents the best of what can happen when business leaders, educators, and community stakeholders unite around a shared vision for workforce success,” McBrayer said.
The Catawba Valley Furniture Academy continues to serve as a workforce innovation hub, offering tailored programs in upholstery, sewing, frame building, and finishing. Its employer partnerships and job placement support make it a replicable model for other communities across North Carolina.
For more information about the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy, visit www.cvcc.edu.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Cobb
Executive Director, Red Hawk Communications
Catawba Valley Community College
[jcobb@cvcc.edu] | 828-327-7000
Catawba Valley Community College empowers students to transform our region and our state by providing exceptional learning experiences, premier workforce development, and personal enrichment opportunities. Learn how you can SOAR at cvcc.edu.
# # #