On a mission to showcase North Carolina's commitment to innovative education and workforce development, Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt visited Forsyth Technical Community College. This stop was a key highlight in her statewide Future-Ready Community College Tour, demonstrating the potential of community colleges in fostering a skilled workforce.
"The future of flight is here in North Carolina and our community colleges are preparing their students to make that future a reality," Hunt said during her visit, according to a press release on the Lieutenant Governor's official website. She engaged with students and educators, spotlighting the Aviation Systems Technology Program — a key component in the educational institution's offerings. Dr. Janet Spriggs, president of Forsyth Tech, joined Hunt along with other local officials.
Underlining the connection between education and the economy, Dr. Spriggs said, "At Forsyth Tech, we are fundamentally reinventing education and reimagining community college to meet the needs of the modern economy and our diverse learners." Her statement highlighted the aim to build "flexible, purpose-built, laddered pathways" for all types of learners. This vision aligns with Lieutenant Governor Hunt’s policy platform, Future-Ready North Carolina, which seeks to promote significant investments in sectors ranging from child care and early childhood education to workforce development programs across the state's community colleges, as per the Lieutenant Governor's official website.
The tour featured the Lieutenant Governor exploring the Aviation Technology Labs and engaging with a flight simulator, reflecting the state's focus on preparing students for a changing job landscape. The importance of such training cannot be overstressed, given the state’s recent announcement of JetZero's $4.7 billion investment in Guilford County. This deal, promising over 14,500 jobs, will bring the manufacturing of commercial airplanes to North Carolina, thereby creating apparent pathways for graduates of programs like those at Forsyth Tech.
The North Carolina Community College System, comprising 58 institutions, serves as an educational nexus for the state, catering to an expansive array of interests and career pursuits. As evidenced by Lieutenant Governor Hunt's tour stops and commentary, these community colleges are playing a pivotal role in ensuring North Carolinians are equipped with the skills necessary for the demands of a future-ready economy.
