• Industrial Placements

  • Hospitality Placements

From Vocational Trainee To Full-Time Employee

FIRST at Blue Ridge champions lifelong recovery for socioeconomically disadvantaged populations by providing fundamental resources before and after program completion.

Overcoming substance use disorder and prioritizing wellness is the prime objective, but the importance of career development as part of the process cannot be overstated. Teamwork, growth opportunities and financial security are crucial to relapse prevention.

For this reason, clinical sessions and group meetings remain available to FIRST at Blue Ridge graduates at no charge.

Examples: Cognitive Behavior Intervention | Motivational Interviewing | Spiritual Counseling | SMART Recovery

In addition, FIRST at Blue Ridge graduates have access to low-cost transitional housing and transportation. Which gives employment partners peace of mind — knowing that the support system that empowered their vocational trainees to perform at the highest level will continue to serve them once they have reached full-time status.

Joshua Webster is a FIRST at Blue Ridge client. Following his 30-day orientation, he was selected by Mills Manufacturing for an entry-level vocational training assignment. As a world class maker of parachutes for the U.S. military, their mission is to build products that bring our troops safely to the ground 100% of the time. They accomplish this by prioritizing operational integrity and continuous improvement. And their process for evaluating candidates is remarkably effective. So it is clear that they live their best values every day.

Joshua hopes to go on full-time with Mills Manufacturing once he has completed the FIRST at Blue Ridge curriculum. He is deeply impressed by their culture. Executives communicate directly with all levels of associates — offering developmental support and celebrating big achievements. And the company’s pathways to advancement are straightforward, so Joshua sees real value in building a career there.

“I am so grateful for all of his hard work. He always goes above and beyond.” — Yelena Dranchak, Department Supervisor

Learning-To-Lead Trainee Spotlight

Western North Carolina — Community Support

May 2024 — Our company received Recovery Friendly Workplace designation from Wilkes Recovery Revolution and WCI.

April 2024 — The Asheville-Buncombe Economic Development Coalition hosted our company’s founder as a panel speaker on Wednesday 4/3 for their Smart Series luncheon. The focus was on strategies for attracting and retaining diverse talent: Click Here

February 2024 — The Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge has invited Learning-To-Lead LLC and FIRST at Blue Ridge to present our vocational training program during the PowerHour meeting on Thursday 2/15: Click Here

November 2023 — Our company was featured in the Inclusive Hiring Partners Newsletter. Diana Blackett and Samantha Cole with the Asheville Chamber of Commerce will be hosting our founder on Thursday 11/16 — and the main topic of discussion will be recovery-based vocational training developments for 2024: Click Here

August 2023 — The Asheville Chamber of Commerce has posted an interview with our company’s founder. The article is centered on Learning-To-Lead LLC’s commitment to vocational training as a means of second-chance career development: Click Here

July 2023 — FIRST at Blue Ridge is now listed on the Buncombe County Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Resource Page. This is a major step forward in recognizing the effectiveness of their programs: Click Here

June 2023 — FIRST at Blue Ridge has been awarded a grant by Dogwood Health Trust to continue residential recovery initiatives for justice-involved individuals. The funds will, in part, help to expand long-term vocational training opportunities. Learning-To-Lead LLC is proud to have assisted in the application process, and excited about creating new employment pathways for recovery-based trainees.