Durham Tech's Hands-On Revolution: How Students Are Landing High-Demand Jobs in IT, Healthcare, and Trades

Durham Technical Community College is experiencing a surge in enrollment as students of all ages seek hands-on training in high-demand fields like healthcare, IT, and skilled trades. With a focus on practical, lab-based education, the college is preparing graduates to enter the workforce with confidence.

Healthcare: A Growing Industry

Healthcare remains a booming sector, and Durham Tech's lab-focused programs are helping students like Nadya Bennett transition into nursing. Bennett, who earned a chemistry degree in 2024, chose to change careers and enroll in the CNA program. "We are getting that hands-on experience, and we are being taught by people who have been in the field themselves," she says. "Once you complete this CNA program and earn that license, you can get a job. People I know who completed this program were able to find jobs very easily."

Younger Students Embrace Nontraditional Paths

While many students enroll to change careers, President J.B. Buxton notes a shift toward younger students. "Nontraditional is starting to skew younger," he explains. "We've doubled our high school population taking college courses since I've been here. The best example is our Durham Early College of Health Sciences, where ninth-graders begin taking courses in nursing, surgical technology, medical assisting, and clinical trials. When they finish four years later, they'll have the credentials they need to enter the workforce."

Skilled Trades in High Demand

Skilled trades are also thriving, with an electrical class currently holding the college's longest waitlist. Buxton emphasizes the value of hands-on work: "You're not just sitting at a desk looking at a book or listening to a lecture. You're doing this work. You're building it. You're not just learning about it. You're learning the skills and using the tools you'll need in the workforce."

IT Students Thrive in a Tech-Driven World

Durham Tech's IT lab is a hub of activity, with students like Andrew DiNetta gaining real-world experience. "It is more than I could ask for. I would say it's like Disney World for IT students," he says. "I've worked in the data center, on networking projects, and in customer service, helping students troubleshoot their computers in our open labs."

Preparing for an AI-Integrated Future

As technology evolves, the college is embedding AI skills into its programs. "Students know there's this AI component where increasingly AI is coding and handling some network engineering tasks that people used to do exclusively," Buxton says. "We've made a real effort to think about where we need to embed AI skills, knowledge, and tools into our programs. I think the continued strength in IT is because people see they're going to benefit from those skills as they move into the industry."

With tens of thousands of job openings nationwide, Durham Tech is positioning its students for success in careers that are both resilient and rewarding.