Southeastern Community College is taking a leading role in shaping how high school and community college students across North Carolina prepare for the workforce. SCC business administration instructor Cristian Wood has been selected to direct a statewide Pathway to Employment (PTE) Alignment Project, guiding a cohort of 14 community colleges as they work to standardize and strengthen PTE courses.
SCC is serving as the host college for the initiative, using its own successful PTE model as the foundation for statewide implementation.
“I have truly valued my work with Pathway to Employment,” Wood said. “This role has been both meaningful and energizing, and I’m excited to collaborate with subject matter experts from across the state. Together, we can strengthen PTE courses and create an even more impactful launchpad for learner success.”
Statewide Collaboration Underway
Representatives from the participating colleges met with Wood on Feb. 10 in Raleigh to begin planning. The colleges include:
Central Piedmont, Wilkes, Rockingham, Forsyth Tech, Wake Tech, Randolph, Asheville‑Buncombe Tech, Craven, Bladen, Roanoke‑Chowan, Vance‑Granville, Mayland, Brunswick, and Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute.
The project will revise and deliver a full set of 12 PTE courses aligned with the North Carolina College & Career Ready (CCR) dual‑enrollment framework.
Building a Stronger Workforce Pipeline
Wood said the alignment project will create a scalable, cohesive instructional pathway connecting high schools, community colleges, and employers. Expected outcomes include:
- Updated PTE curriculum aligned with CCR standards
- Professional development modules for new instructors
- A statewide framework for pre‑apprenticeship opportunities
- Increased consistency across all 58 community colleges
Wood anticipates more than 20 colleges adopting the aligned PTE model during the 2026–27 academic year.
Hands‑On Career Exploration
At SCC, PTE courses give students opportunities to explore career fields, participate in job shadowing, meet industry partners, and visit work sites.
State leaders say that exposure is critical.
Ashley Parrott, State Director of Developmental Education and College Readiness, said her own sons confirmed their interest in engineering after taking PTE courses. “They got a slice of the real world,” she said, describing the courses as a blend of workforce experience and college life.
Aaron Mabe, State Director of Dual Enrollment, said PTE helps students make informed decisions. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do at 16 or 17,” he said. “PTE gives students a chance to see the full range of opportunities in a field.”
A Vision for Statewide Adoption
SCC President Dr. Chris English said the alignment project will elevate PTE to the next level.
“This initiative becomes a springboard and launches it into the future,” English said. “Cristian understands the soft skills and employability skills needed to be productive in the marketplace.”
English said the long‑term goal is for PTE to become a standard curriculum offering across all 58 community colleges by May 2027.
The concept for PTE began nearly a decade ago, evolving from early soft‑skills modules into a structured program shaped by employer feedback. After delays caused by the pandemic, SCC began gathering student and employer input in 2022, helping refine the program into what it is today.
Now, with SCC leading the alignment effort, Wood hopes to see PTE implemented statewide — giving students across North Carolina a clearer, more confident path into jobs, internships, and apprenticeships.
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