North Carolina’s advanced manufacturing boom is making headlines—and so is the collaborative work we are doing to fuel it!
We are thrilled to share that EducationNC (EdNC) recently published an in-depth feature highlighting the mission, impact, and future of AdvanceNC. The article, titled “What is AdvanceNC? Meet the collaboration rethinking how to serve advanced manufacturing employers and jobseekers,” captures exactly why our regional approach is a game-changer for our state’s economic landscape.
As major global companies bring thousands of new, high-tech jobs to central North Carolina, traditional county-by-county workforce models are no longer enough. EdNC explores how AdvanceNC bridges the gaps by uniting 12 community colleges, three universities, and seven workforce development boards into a powerhouse, single source of information for employers and jobseekers alike.
Key highlights from the article include:
- Breaking Down Silos: Why collaboration across regional boundaries is the “new normal” required to meet unprecedented hiring demands.
- The Power of Micro-Pathways: A closer look at how we are deconstructing traditional degrees into stackable, short-term credentials (like welding, CNC machining, and industrial HVAC) to get learners into high-wage jobs in under a year.
- Innovative Solutions in Action: Real-world examples of how our partners are already sharing resources—like cross-enrolling students between colleges—to quickly solve localized employer shortages.
As our acting director Margaret Roberton shared in the piece: “Come here, we will connect you with all of these resources, you can define your problem, and we can help figure out how we get a talent pipeline to you.”
Whether you are a local employer trying to scale your team or a jobseeker ready to jump into a cutting-edge career, this feature is a must-read look at how we are building the future of manufacturing together.
