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New class of skilled trades workers enter the market

Graduates of Level Up: Core Construction included, from left, Bailey Sommer, Manuel Toral Rodriquez, Jaydon London, Titus Morris, Wilfrido Aguillon, Andrew Lunceford, Wyatt Beddingfield, Xavier Buckner, Adeep Sully-Grover, Tristen Guzman, Erick Muniz, Pablo Perez Garcia, Ha Linh, Jonathan Martinez, Oscar Lozez Hernandez and Jonathan Cruz. [RICH KEEN/BRCC]

By Lightning Reports, Published: January 10, 2026

Blue Ridge Community College celebrated the graduation of the most recent cohort of Level Up: Core Construction, a tuition-free accelerated workforce training program offered in partnership with the National Center for Construction Education and Research and  Lowe’s.

The event took place on Dec. 18 in the Technology Education and Development Center on the Henderson County Campus, in the presence of Blue Ridge faculty, staff, leaders, community members, and families.

The ceremony recognized 18 dedicated individuals who completed the program designed to support Western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene by preparing participants for immediate employment in the construction industry. The program began in April 2025.

Level Up graduates included Andrew Lunceford, Adeep Sully-Grover, Pablo Perez Garcia, Erik Muniz, Ha Linh, Tristan Guzman, Wilfrido Aguillon, Wyatt Beddingfield, Bailey Sommer, Manuel Toral Rodriguez, Jonathan Cruz, Juan Ramirez Marta, Jack Green, Jonathan Martinez, Titus Morris, Oscar Lopez Hernandez, Jaydon London and Xavier Buckner.

“These students have taken transformative steps toward thriving careers in the skilled trades industry,” program coordinator Jason Baxley said.

In addition to Level Up, BRCC offers a robust set of training opportunities in the skilled trades throughout the year, as well as apprenticeships and workforce continuing education courses. Programs include welding, electrical, plumbing, masonry, building and construction trades, and more. For more information visit blueridge.edu/level-up.