Haywood County -- June 12. 2026: An exciting opportunity has launched for local high school students interested in entering the high-demand fields of transportation and highway construction. The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT), in partnership with Haywood County public schools, is introducing the Transportation Summer Accelerator Education Program.
Funded by the NCDOT Office of Civil Rights on-the-job training program, this specialized two-week initiative provides participants with direct classroom instruction, hands-on field experience, and essential industry credentials to jumpstart their career paths.
Program Details & Training Structure
The curriculum balances conceptual project development with rigorous, practical skills application to prepare students directly for the workforce or registered pre-apprenticeships.
Classroom Instruction
Project Development & Management: Students learn the fundamentals of transportation project development and how to successfully navigate and bid on NCDOT contracts.
Safety & First Aid: Training includes standard First Aid and CPR certification, alongside securing critical OSHA 10 credentials.
Workplace Certifications: Participants will also complete specialized training to earn official standard highway flagger credentials.
Hands-On Training
Heavy Equipment Simulation: Students gain technical familiarity through high-tech machinery simulators and interactive construction trade exposure.
Mock Construction Sites: Real-world practice takes place on staged work sites to mimic genuine operational field conditions and highway safety protocols.
Field Trips & Outreach: The schedule features guided trips to active operational yards and ongoing industry-exposure events throughout the year.
Career Alignment & Community Impact
This program directly feeds into regional infrastructure needs and connects youth with robust, long-term employment pipelines. By participating in the accelerator, students are registered as pre-apprentices, placing them at the front of the line for stable, long-term state maintenance and infrastructure roles that support Western North Carolina's community infrastructure.
For individuals looking to later transition these foundational skills into advanced specialized commercial driving or mechanics, the initial exposure pairs seamlessly with professional regional training pipelines, including local certifications in:
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training.
Diesel Mechanic technology.
Auto Safety Inspection.
How to Register
The program takes place at Tuscola High School in Waynesville. For more information or to register a student for the accelerator, local families can scan the official flyer QR codes provided by the schools, call 984-480-9938, or contact regional coordinator Laura Turner directly via email at lturner@haywood.k12.nc.us. You can also reach out to program representative EWHaddock@ncdot.gov. For broader updates and local community reporting on educational opportunities, stay tuned to local channels at wnctimes.
Program Spotlight Video
For a real-world look at how this initiative impacts young professionals in the region, the video below features a success story of an intern who transitioned from the pre-apprenticeship program straight into a fulfilling state transportation career, highlighting the long-term value of the training.