Job-driven training boosting Triangle business growth

New data indicates that North Carolina continues to be one of the leading states in drawing businesses. This marks the third occurrence in four years where the Tar Heel State has been recognized as the best state for business operations, with an ADP study revealing that Raleigh ranks first nationwide for recent university graduates.

ABC11 had an exclusive interview with North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley, who emphasized that it all begins with the region's labor force.

"All kinds of experts, ranging from top-level, well-trained PhDs and professionals down to skilled workers capable of handling every aspect of the task," Lilley stated.

Lilley mentioned that although North Carolina's business success isn't novel, the current amount of investment in the state is.

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"What has changed, and if you glance through my window, you'll notice one, two, three distinct cranes visible from my vantage point in downtown Raleigh, is the volume of investment flowing in to capitalize on the expertise generated by our higher education institutions," he stated.

With federal reductions in funding for research and some trade-related unpredictability, Lilley mentioned that they will have to seek out investment from both the state and private sectors to sustain this workforce if the state aims to keep its outstanding image.

"These investments must be undertaken to ensure we maintain a high standard of living, solid infrastructure, efficient transportation system, and a desirable place to live, which will help us keep attracting such talent and eventually more funding," he stated.

A system centered around this labor force has also developed in the Triangle area. At North Carolina State University's Centennial Campus, the Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, known as BTEC, is producing hundreds of well-prepared graduates annually to assist the region's expanding biopharmaceutical sector. This industry encompasses significant local companies like Pfizer and Novo Nordisk, and plays a key role in developing widely used medications such as insulin.

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"They were placed in a position to start performing effectively from day one at their respective workplaces," said Gary Gilleskie, Executive Director of BTEC.

BTEC provides an undergraduate minor as well as a graduate degree, educating students on the production of biopharmaceuticals within a small-scale manufacturing environment. This enables nearby businesses to employ individuals who come with practical, real-world skills. Comparable initiatives are available via North Carolina’s community colleges and at North Carolina Central University.

"Businesses choose to set up here and plan to grow their activities here since they understand they can access a qualified labor force, knowing that such a trained workforce is already available, so they won’t need to recruit from other organizations," Gilleskie stated.

Graduates like Megan Hackman, who attended BTEC from 2015 to 2018 and later worked at Fujifilm in RTP, claim it demonstrates the impact of BTEC on the regional economy.

"Having completed the BTEC minor, I've gained extensive knowledge in upstream, downstream, and analytical methods, which I apply daily in my work," she stated.