Furniture Academy honored by state board

Hickory Daily Record
Posted May 21, 2017

At its recent meeting, the North Carolina Community College State Board recognized the developers of the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy, an initiative of Catawba Valley Community College, with a proclamation.

The proclamation recognized the collection of furniture that the N.C. Community College System Office recently purchased from the academy. Included in the collection are two wing chairs in the State Board president’s office, a sofa and two chairs in the front lobby, as well as two sofas, two club chairs and four armless chairs for the State Board lounge.

State Board Chairman Scott Shook read the proclamation which declares the Catawba Valley a leader in fine furniture for more than 100 years. CVCC’s success in training and educating the furniture industry’s workforce and its creation of the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy was also lauded.

Catawba Valley Furniture Academy staff members Lori Price and Lucinda Fulbright along with CVCC President Garrett D. Hinshaw and Executive Director of the Workforce Development Innovation Center Crystal Glenn were recognized for their efforts to coordinate industry partnerships to develop the academy.

A growing need for local skilled workers prompted Catawba Valley Community College to redesign a furniture training academy with support and guidance from five area manufacturers. Founding industry partners are Century Furniture, LEE Industries, Lexington Home Brands, Sherrill Furniture and Vanguard Furniture.

Taught by upholstery artisans and craftsmen employed by industry partners, the academy expanded from a 6,000-square-foot simulated furniture manufacturing environment to a renovated 38,000-square-foot facility at 973 Locust St. in Newton.

For more information about enrolling in the next class at the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy in Newton, contact Lori Price with CVCC’s Business & Industry Services, 828-327-7000, ext. 4284, lprice@cvcc.edu.