"When people feel uneasy about their jobs, they often they often turn to their community college to improve their skills, "Owen says. The school offers 38 programs of study leading to associate degrees, diplomas and certificates - including an associate-degree nursing program that leads to a registered-nurse designation.

Among the College's computer offerings are the Certified Cisco Networking Professional and Certified Cisco Networking Administrator certificate programs, which give students advanced journeyman knowledge of Cisco.

Now in its 33rd year, the college trains much of the workforce for nearby Research Triangle Park.

Its state-funded New and Expanding Industry Training program is offered at no cost to qualified industries and provides customizes on-campus and in plant training for area industries.

The companies save money and experience reduced job turnover, greater efficiency and higher productivity," says Jackson Elliott, vice president of continuing education.

Piedmont's Business Center serves as an incubator for small businesses, with five spaces for startup companies. The center also teams with city and count government and the Chamber to offer one-on one counseling and seminars on marketing, accounting, tax planning and more.

Many students at Person High School and other area schools participate in a dual-enrollment program at the community college, which allows them to take classes that the high school doesn't offer.

Piedmont students can earn an associative of applied science degree, a high school equivalency diploma (GED), or a certificate in a particular area of study.

A college transfer program makes it easy for those who get an associates degree to transfer to a four-year school.