Distinctive Educational Programs Help Produce N.C.’s Skilled Workforce


Higher education institutions in North Carolina offer unique programs that complement evolving workforce needs of the state’s business and industry. The state’s universities produce skilled graduates each year and the community college system is recognized nationally for its customized workforce training programs.


L–R: Prof. Hans-Peter Mengele, CEO, Karlsruhe Chamber of Industry and Commerce and CPCC President Dr. Tony Zeiss. Photo courtesy of CPCC.

Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in Charlotte signed an articulation agreement on April 18 with IHK-Karlsruhe, a German regional chamber of industry and commerce. According to the college’s press release, CPCC is the first U.S. community college to offer IHK-certified job-training programs. Starting in August, CPCC students will be able to earn IHK-endorsed certificates in five programs, making them more attractive to about 200 German companies currently doing business in the Charlotte region.


Wind Turbine installed by ASU at North Wilkes Middle in 2011 Through the Wind for Schools Initiative. Photo courtesy ASU.

The Research Institute for Environment, Energy, and Economics (RIEEE) was established in November 2008 at Appalachian State University to enhance research opportunities for faculty and students whose interests are associated with environmental science, renewable energy and economics. The Institute will serve as an umbrella organization for three centers representing the three major elements of research and educational outreach concerning the environment, energy and economics. The renewable energy industry is one that has been seeing double-digit employment growth in the state. In addition, North Carolina is first and only state in the southeastern U.S. to enact a mandatory Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard.

Lenoir Community College (LCC) worked closely with officials at Spirit AeroSystems to create a customized program to develop and support the aviation workforce and culture in North Carolina. What resulted was a comprehensive aviation and composite manufacturing program that was added to the curriculum in 2011. LCC now offers a four-hour online introductory course, a 120-hour Aerospace Manufacturing Readiness Program, a two-year Aerostructure Manufacturing and Repair Technology degree program, career readiness certification and continuing education in the field.

On the heels of CPCC’s announcement, Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte further expanded the breadth of workforce training opportunities on Wednesday evening with the launch of Innovo, a small business incubator/think tank laboratory. The facility, according to the university’s announcement, will be run by the Center of Excellence for Diversity, Workforce and Small Business Development at the Smith Institute for Applied Research. The launch event was supported by retired Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl Jr. and Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx. More than 13,000 business and financial services companies employ more than 202,000 people in North Carolina, and more banking resources are headquartered in Charlotte than in all but one other U.S. city.

With a 58-campus community college network, 16-campus public university system and a variety of private and religious-affiliated colleges and universities, North Carolina has the resources needed to supply the highly-skilled and productive workforce today’s economy demands.