RALEIGH – There’s no question community colleges are integral to economic development – both new and expanding businesses – in North Carolina.

“Our work in economic development spans the spectrum,” NC Community College System President Peter Hans says in the accompanying video.

“From the BioNetwork supporting life-science companies; to the Apprenticeship program, which is growing; to the Small Business Center Network, providing help to start-ups; and of course the community colleges’ Customized Job Training Program has trained over 36,000 people just this past year for literally hundreds of businesses, to provide them with the skills their employer needs to be successful.”

Hans offers several local examples:

• The winemaking program at Surry Community College, which produces workers for a burgeoning local wine industry;
• The Aviation Technology program at Guilford Technical Community College, which serves a growing aviation hub in the Triad; and
• Advanced manufacturing programs at Beaufort County Community College.

“They’re all tailored to local needs and demands,” Hans says.  “We’re the partners of the business community in that respect.”