In the latest episode of the Manufacturing Executive Podcast, host Joe Sullivan sits down with John Loyack, Vice President of Economic Development for the North Carolina Community College System, to discuss the state’s successful initiatives in supporting manufacturing growth and the importance of treating the workforce as critical infrastructure. Loyack, who leads the economic development division and oversees education, training, and support services for businesses and industry through a network of 58 community colleges, shares valuable insights on how North Carolina has adapted to the changing landscape of manufacturing.
North Carolina boasts a rich history in agriculture, textiles, and furniture, but it’s the state’s leadership and foresight in adapting to new industries that have contributed to its success as a manufacturing hub. From the establishment of the Research Triangle Park to the focus on education and the role of community colleges and universities, North Carolina has consistently prioritized targeted industry recruitment, workforce development, infrastructure, site development, and innovation ecosystems.
“I would say that the concept of workforce as a critical infrastructure, is simply that skilled, adaptable, healthy workforce or as fundamental as any other part of a community’s infrastructure and their economic well-being. It is simply essential.”
Loyack emphasizes the concept of workforce as critical infrastructure, arguing that a skilled, adaptable, and healthy workforce is as fundamental to a community’s economic well-being as traditional infrastructure like roads and utilities. Continued investment in education, training, and healthcare is crucial to maintain workforce value and attract major manufacturers to the state.
One of the key initiatives in North Carolina is the NC Edge customized training program, which has evolved from the original industrial training program in the late 1950s. The program’s core components include comprehensive needs assessments, tailored curricula, flexible delivery methods, and talent assessments. Loyack stresses the importance of being deeply invested in each project and adapting to changing learning styles to ensure the program’s success.
Effective communication, teamwork, leadership skills are all crucial for creating the collaborative environment that businesses are looking for. So you want somebody who can manage diverse teams. Folks, no, you’re going to have a lot of different personalities on the team and having someone who can address through conflict resolution, challenges within their team to make sure the levels of productivity are where they need to be. It’s going to be really important.
In addition to workforce training, Loyack advocates for leadership training across all levels of the manufacturing organization. As automation and Industry 4.0 continue to impact job roles, soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution have become key differentiators for businesses. Loyack emphasizes the increasing importance of problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability in today’s manufacturing landscape.
For manufacturing leaders looking to access state-level resources for workforce and leadership training, Loyack acknowledges the challenges in navigating the complex workforce ecosystem within a state. He highlights North Carolina’s approach of consolidating resources under the community college system and provides examples of programs in other states, such as Missouri, California, Georgia, Virginia, and Louisiana.
Loyack concludes by emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about available resources and making them accessible to businesses. By staying informed and connected to these resources, manufacturing leaders can position their organizations for success in an ever-evolving industry.
To learn more about NC Edge and the resources available through the North Carolina Community College System, visit NCEdge.org. For more insights on manufacturing leadership and strategies, subscribe to the Manufacturing Executive Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
