Born From a Community's Need. Built on a Belief in Second Chances.
Carolina Career Trade Academy was founded in 2021 with one powerful conviction — that every person deserves the opportunity to discover their potential, develop their skills, and build a life they are proud of.
A Vision Rooted in Robeson County
Robeson County has long faced some of the highest poverty and unemployment rates in North Carolina. For too many residents, the path to a better life felt blocked by barriers — lack of access to education, limited career resources, and a shortage of programs designed for people who had already tried and needed a second chance.
Carolina Career Trade Academy was founded in 2021 to change that. We opened our doors at 406 South Main Street in Fairmont, NC with a simple but powerful mission: remove the barriers that stand between people and opportunity.
Since our founding, we have served over 700 students, achieved a 90%+ job placement rate, and earned the #1 first-time pass rate in North Carolina for our licensing programs. But behind every number is a real person — a single parent who now has a career, a veteran who found new purpose, a young adult who refused to give up.
"We don't just train people for jobs. We restore hope, rebuild confidence, and remind every student that their story is not over."
— Carolina Career Trade Academy
Our Core Values
Dignity
We treat every student with respect, compassion, and the belief that their past does not define their future.
Excellence
We hold ourselves and our students to the highest standards — in education, in professionalism, and in outcomes.
Community
We are rooted in Robeson County and committed to strengthening the families, neighborhoods, and workforce around us.
Equity
We actively remove barriers to access so that opportunity is available to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.
Empowerment
We equip students not just with skills, but with confidence, resources, and a network to succeed long after graduation.
Innovation
We continuously evolve our programs and partnerships to meet the real demands of today's workforce and economy.
Our Impact Since 2021
Students Served
Job Placement Rate
First-Time Pass Rate in NC
Year Founded
The People Behind the Mission
CCTA is led by dedicated professionals who have committed their careers to workforce development, education, and community transformation.
Sharon Smith
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Sharon Smith is a passionate advocate for workforce development and second-chance education. With deep roots in Robeson County, she co-founded CCTA in 2021 to create the kind of opportunity she knew her community deserved. Under her leadership, CCTA has grown from a vision into a thriving institution serving hundreds of students each year.
Shanese Spaulding
Director of Operations & Co-Founder
Shanese Spaulding brings operational excellence and a heart for service to everything she does at CCTA. As Co-Founder and Director of Operations, she oversees program delivery, student support, and the day-to-day systems that ensure every student receives the care and resources they need to succeed.
"Serving Robeson County and Beyond."
Join the CCTA Family
Whether you are ready to enroll, partner with us, or simply learn more — we would love to hear from you.