Investing in Winston-Salem, NC
Greater Winston-Salem’s new workforce initiative is a one-stop shop for economic growth.
With its workforce as the focus, the Greater Winston-Salem, NC, region is committed to a new initiative that meets industry needs as well as those of residents seeking better jobs and lives for themselves and their families.
The initiative is funded by a $2.5 million grant through ARPA funds in Forsyth County to create a unified workforce hub, an overarching brand, and pathways for target industry sectors to find skilled employees. The initiative will help the region better reach its underserved communities by providing improved, equitable access and assistance to workforce opportunities, and help individuals move smoothly and quickly from education to career.
“We launched this initiative to better focus on economic mobility opportunities for our citizens and to help employers with talent recruitment and retention,” says Mark Owens, president and CEO of Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.
“A lot of the world looks at talent recruitment as getting people to move to a community,” Owens says. “Our focus is investing in the people here. Partnerships with Forsyth Tech, the school system and others give us a unique and special opportunity to make a real difference.”
Creating Collaboration
The key is cooperation, says Andrea Sheetz, workforce and economic development analyst for Forsyth County.
Sheetz facilitates collaborations between prospective industries, the community and education partners to build accessible talent pipelines and connect county residents with opportunities. When the Greater Winston-Salem region makes a company’s shortlist for investment, this unified approach can tip the scales in the region’s favor.
That happened when Ziehl-Abegg, a maker of motors and fans for commercial ventilation systems, picked Winston-Salem for an expansion that will create hundreds of new jobs in the region.
“In talking with Ziehl-Abegg, we learned they had trouble recruiting degreed engineers,” Sheetz says. “They are in a market that competes nationally for that level of skill. We connected the company with Wake Forest University’s engineering program to access a pool of interns and also to assist the company as it relocated its production to our county with minimal disruption in production.”
Projects like these, Sheetz says, give Winston-Salem residents economic mobility and opportunity.
“Our vision is to help our citizens get good-paying jobs with newly recruited companies and also with existing companies,” Sheetz says. “We are in the business of creating economic opportunity for our residents. This one-stop shop approach means anyone can know where to go to get career information. We’ll help figure out what skills they need and how to get those skills and then work with them on issues like child care and transportation. We work with people to figure out how to get on a better path.”
Key Player
Forsyth Tech is a vital partner in this initiative.
“Forsyth Tech is an economic engine that is fully committed to creating comprehensive initiatives that cater to every aspect of our workforce development,” says Janet Spriggs, president of Forsyth Tech. “From expanding education opportunities to empowering our thriving industries, we are helping individuals seeking to enhance their skills and embark on meaningful careers.”
Spriggs says Forsyth Tech recognizes the critical importance of aligning its programs with the needs of key industry sectors. By focusing on advanced manufacturing, health care, biotechnology, business and information technology, and even programs like aviation and aerospace, Forsyth Tech is equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in these dynamic fields and building a thriving economy in the Greater Winston-Salem region.
Spriggs says Forsyth Tech is committed to providing its students with the necessary resources, guidance and real-world experiences to bridge the gap between learning and employment.
“By nurturing partnerships with industry leaders, we are preparing our students to excel in their chosen fields and make a meaningful impact,” she says.
Economic Momentum
Speaking of making a meaningful impact, Greater Winston-Salem’s focus on economic vitality has put it on a path for continuous growth, as it has seen more than 1,000 new jobs in 2022. More jobs are coming from new industrial recruits like Ziehl-Abegg, a manufacturer of motors and fans for commercial ventilation systems, and the expansion of established companies like 95-year-old Garner Food Co., the maker of Texas Pete hot sauces. Owens says growth is happening across several sectors. Here’s what else he has to say:
What are some specific examples of growing companies within the targeted industries?
We’re seeing growth in health care, like with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Novant Health. Both hospital systems are constructing new critical care facilities in Winston-Salem. In manufacturing, John Deere is expanding its facility in Kernersville. We’re seeing startup companies in biotech and other emerging sectors growing from 10 to 30 employees.
What is the importance of the 1,000+ jobs added to the region in 2022?
When we can recruit companies to move to Winston-Salem or help existing companies grow, it’s great that we can talk about job numbers, but when you break it down, those aren’t just numbers. Those are people’s lives that have been impacted and families whose lives have been changed for the better.
How will the $2.5 million grant from the American Rescue Plan Act help with workforce and economic development?
These funds support workforce collaboration and help create a sustainable and co-located workforce training system that synchronizes education and training in partnership with other workforce development entities such as Forsyth Tech and Goodwill.
What is another way the one-stop shop approach to workforce development is advantageous for the region?
The one-stop-shop approach streamlines communication with employers. In the past, a manufacturer may need to meet with representatives from four or five different entities. Now, they can meet with any one representative in this partnership and know that information is shared across a network – a single point of contact results in a comprehensive solution.
Get to Know Winston-Salem, NC
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