Education

Browse educational opportunities at every level.

Wilkes County educators are going above and beyond to ensure that students gain classroom knowledge, practical skills and soft skills that are essential for success in the workplace. Collaboration between employers and educators at every level in the county is ongoing so that graduates can enter the workforce and meet its immediate needs.

Key Statistics

2021

Became an ACT-Certified Work Ready Community

90.1%

High School Graduation Rate for 2022-23

(Up from 88.1% from 2021-22)

48%

College Attainment

(Update coming January 2024)

13

Colleges/ Universities within 50 miles of Wilkes County

Primary Education

Programs for Career Training

Career or technical training provides job-specific training for work in the trades. These programs generally focus on providing hands-on instruction and can lead to certificate, a diploma or a degree. Technical education is the pathway to many exciting and lucrative careers.

NC Tech Paths

Northwest NC is building a new generation of tech talent. Nestled in the foothills and high country of the Blue Ridge Mountains, NC Tech Paths is blazing a trail to the digital economy, leveraging world-class broadband, natural beauty, and burgeoning talent.

NC Tech Paths Value Proposition

  • To solve a business objective for North Carolina employers – the gap in supply of tech talent
  • To solve a career objective for the emerging and existing workforce – accessing high-growth, high-pay jobs
  • To solve a community economic development objective of Northwest NC – revitalizing the local economy and downtowns
  • To solve a social imperative – bridging demographic inequities, including the rural-urban divide, that limit inclusiveness in the digital economy

Wilkes Community College

The North Carolina Community College System is a statewide network of 58 public community colleges, one of which is located in the center of the county – Wilkes Community College. There are six other community colleges within 50 miles of Wilkes County that also offer technical education.

Wilkes Community College (WCC) is proud of the partnerships it enjoys with the business and industry communities in Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties. Its services are based on strong collaborations with public schools and employers, tailoring training solutions that are as unique as this region’s business community.

Secondary schools provide a strong technical education for many students who transition into WCC’s technical programs, including:

  • Information Technology
  • Animal Science
  • Engineering Technology
  • Automotive Systems Technology
  • Diesel Technology
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Horticulture Technology

Wilkes EDC supports Wilkes Community College’s SkillsUSA Club, one of the most awarded in the country.

WCC’s Customized Training Program offers a dynamic, practical approach to meeting your training requirements in a cost-effective manner and some services are offered free of charge. Ranging from OSHA safety to supervisory and leadership skills, from basic computer skills to high-end programming, the Customized Training Program offerings are wide-ranging and oftentimes unique to your business. 

The One-Stop-Shop for Customized Business & Industry Training

Higher Education

North Carolina is recognized as a leader in higher education. In fact, it is home to the country’s oldest state-supported university, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, established in 1789. The state is also home to elite colleges and universities such as Duke University, Wake Forest University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Davidson College, Elon University, High Point University, Catawba College, and Appalachian State University. There are 13 colleges and universities within 50 miles of Wilkes County. Explore the state’s institutions of higher education.

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