Bassett Furniture's gift creates learning center at CVCC

Special to the O-N-E

A defining moment in educational opportunities for the furniture industry is originating at Catawba Valley Community College, thanks to a partnership with Bassett Furniture Industries announced recently by Mark Jordan, senior vice president of Bassett Furniture Industries, and Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, president of CVCC.

A significant gift from Bassett Furniture Industries to the CVCC Foundation, Inc. will help build a new Bassett Learning Center at the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy

The Catawba Valley Furniture Academy's mission is to prepare students for high demand jobs in the furniture industry.  Students receive hands-on-training from local craftspeople in a simulated furniture manufacturing.

The Bassett Learning Center is the next phase of development for the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy.  Construction of a 1,100 square-foot classroom will create a "smart" classroom/learning center increasing the number of students who enroll in and complete training at the academy.  The center will not only be utilized by CVCC students, but will serve as a state-of-the-art facility for student recruitment, industry workshops, events and training.

"This level of partnership between a community college and a private business is a demonstration of how commitments to the future workforce can move the needle in a region," said Hinshaw.  "We are honored by the value that Bassett Furniture Industries places in Catawba Valley Community College's innovation."

"This educational partnership will enable our industry to have the workforce needed to meet the production growth and service expectations of our customers," said Jordan.  "Our industry has been built on the tradition of great people. The CVCC Furniture Academy will be the educational source to provide us with the next generation of outstanding people and leaders."

Announcement of a grand opening of the Bassett Learning Center will be forthcoming. 

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 or Cindy Fulbright, CVFA Project Manager, 828-327-7000, ext. 4778, lfulbright@cvcc.edu.