Oct 4, 2013
Raleigh, N.C. - Governor Pat McCrory proclaimed today October 4 “Manufacturing Day” in North Carolina. In demonstration of support of manufacturing in North Carolina and to support National Manufacturing Day, Governor McCrory and members of his cabinet will be traveling throughout the state to highlight the state’s efforts to develop a skilled workforce for the manufacturing industry.
The tour will also include several job announcements, bringing more than 370 new jobs and more than $100 million in investment to North Carolina.
“North Carolina has always been a state where our workforce made things and we’re proud of our manufacturing heritage,” said Governor McCrory. “It’s the state’s past and it’s also the state’s future. The fastest way to grow our economy is to focus on advanced manufacturing and what we know best.”
Governor McCrory along with NC Community College System President Dr. Scott Ralls began the day at Cape Fear Community College where students are being trained for highly technical positions needed at nearby companies like GE Hitachi.
"Our community colleges were created to grow manufacturing in North Carolina," said Dr. Ralls. "Fifty years later, we continue to play a vital role in training the manufacturing workforce. The governor's recognition today further demonstrates the importance of community colleges in attracting and retaining business and industry, and growing jobs in our state."
N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker was at NC State University with Chancellor Randy Woodson Friday to kick off Manufacturing Day and the observance at the university. NC State’s Industrial Extension Service, in partnership with the National Association of Manufacturers, organized numerous activities on campus and throughout the state.
“Our investment in education and job training programs is directly related to our ability to produce a highly skilled workforce,” said Secretary Decker. “It’s events like today’s that will encourage more youngsters to consider working in advanced manufacturing. The manufacturing industry includes so many diverse and unique career opportunities and we want to share that information with students of all ages.”
Tony Almeida, the governor’s senior advis0r on jobs and the economy, toured the Meritor facility in Fletcher, NC. Meritor is a global manufacturer of advanced automotive systems. The event, which included nearly 80 middle school students, allowed the visitors to get an up close look at careers in advanced manufacturing.
North Carolina is the fourth-largest manufacturing state with more than 440,000 employees working in that sector. In 2012, the average annual manufacturing wage in North Carolina was $53,337, which is $11,000 more than the state average.
The following events will be taking place later today:
Robeson County
WHO: Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker
WHAT: Economic Development Announcement
WHEN: Today, October 4, 2013
11:30 a.m.
WHERE: 4815 West 5th Street
Lumberton, NC 28358
PRESS: OPEN
Cleveland County
WHO: Governor Pat McCrory
WHAT: Economic Development Announcement
WHEN: Today, October 4, 2013
1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Foothills Commerce Center
3311 Artee Road
Shelby, NC 28150
PRESS: OPEN
Davidson County
WHO: Governor Pat McCrory and Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker
WHAT: Economic Development Announcement
WHEN: Today, October 4, 2013
3:o0 p.m.
WHERE: Davidson County Community College
Conference Center Building 2nd floor
297 Davidson Community College Road
Thomasville, NC 27360
PRESS: OPEN
The tour will also include several job announcements, bringing more than 370 new jobs and more than $100 million in investment to North Carolina.
“North Carolina has always been a state where our workforce made things and we’re proud of our manufacturing heritage,” said Governor McCrory. “It’s the state’s past and it’s also the state’s future. The fastest way to grow our economy is to focus on advanced manufacturing and what we know best.”
Governor McCrory along with NC Community College System President Dr. Scott Ralls began the day at Cape Fear Community College where students are being trained for highly technical positions needed at nearby companies like GE Hitachi.
"Our community colleges were created to grow manufacturing in North Carolina," said Dr. Ralls. "Fifty years later, we continue to play a vital role in training the manufacturing workforce. The governor's recognition today further demonstrates the importance of community colleges in attracting and retaining business and industry, and growing jobs in our state."
N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker was at NC State University with Chancellor Randy Woodson Friday to kick off Manufacturing Day and the observance at the university. NC State’s Industrial Extension Service, in partnership with the National Association of Manufacturers, organized numerous activities on campus and throughout the state.
“Our investment in education and job training programs is directly related to our ability to produce a highly skilled workforce,” said Secretary Decker. “It’s events like today’s that will encourage more youngsters to consider working in advanced manufacturing. The manufacturing industry includes so many diverse and unique career opportunities and we want to share that information with students of all ages.”
Tony Almeida, the governor’s senior advis0r on jobs and the economy, toured the Meritor facility in Fletcher, NC. Meritor is a global manufacturer of advanced automotive systems. The event, which included nearly 80 middle school students, allowed the visitors to get an up close look at careers in advanced manufacturing.
North Carolina is the fourth-largest manufacturing state with more than 440,000 employees working in that sector. In 2012, the average annual manufacturing wage in North Carolina was $53,337, which is $11,000 more than the state average.
The following events will be taking place later today:
Robeson County
WHO: Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker
WHAT: Economic Development Announcement
WHEN: Today, October 4, 2013
11:30 a.m.
WHERE: 4815 West 5th Street
Lumberton, NC 28358
PRESS: OPEN
Cleveland County
WHO: Governor Pat McCrory
WHAT: Economic Development Announcement
WHEN: Today, October 4, 2013
1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Foothills Commerce Center
3311 Artee Road
Shelby, NC 28150
PRESS: OPEN
Davidson County
WHO: Governor Pat McCrory and Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker
WHAT: Economic Development Announcement
WHEN: Today, October 4, 2013
3:o0 p.m.
WHERE: Davidson County Community College
Conference Center Building 2nd floor
297 Davidson Community College Road
Thomasville, NC 27360
PRESS: OPEN