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A Mocksville man has received an outstanding young adult award from the NC Works Awards of Distinction.

Joshua Swindells was honored for outstanding accomplishments and contributions related to workforce developmenon on Thursday, Oct. 13, during a ceremony in Greensboro as part of the 35th annual NCWorks Partnership Conference.

Born with a condition that rendered him legally blind and growing up in economic distress, Swindells has overcome numerous obstacles. In the fall of 2020, he enrolled in the high school equivalency program at Davidson-Davie Community College and in the NCWorks “NextGen” youth program through Piedmont Triad Regional Workforce Development Board.

The NextGen program helped Swindells complete his high school credential and obtain a better job, as he rose to become a manager at a local grocery store. That success led Swindells to enroll as a full-time student at DDCC. In one year, he had gone from having an eighth-grade education to holding a high school diploma and becoming the first person in his family to attend college.

He has excelled academically at the college and was awarded a scholarship that allowed him to study in France last summer.

Swindells plans to earn an associate’s degree in Information Technology at DDCC and transfer to UNC-Charlotte to study Computer Science and Criminal Justice, with a goal of working in the field of cyber security.

“These award winners have overcome adversity and inspired us with their determination to gain new career skills and expand opportunities for others,” said Gov. Roy Cooper.