NC Community Colleges Ready to Power Workforce for Prolec GE’s $140M Expansion in Goldsboro

The North Carolina Community College System supports the expansion of Prolec GE Waukesha in Wayne County, a transformative $140 million investment that will bring 330 new jobs to the region and strengthen the state’s manufacturing sector. 

Prolec GE’s decision to double its transformer production capacity in Goldsboro highlights the critical role of a skilled and ready workforce—a need North Carolina’s 58 community colleges are uniquely positioned to meet. As Prolec GE looks to hire welders, assembly workers, engineers, and technicians, Wayne Community College and others across the system stand ready to provide hands-on training, tailored programs, and rapid upskilling to prepare students for these high-demand roles. 

“This announcement underscores the growing importance of advanced manufacturing to North Carolina’s economy and reaffirms our mission to develop a pipeline of talent that meets the needs of today’s employers,” said John Loyack, Vice President of Economic Development at the System. “We are excited for our students to be part of the state’s energy future.” 

With average salaries for the new positions exceeding $71,000—well above the Wayne County average—this project represents not only an economic milestone, but a life-changing opportunity for residents and students in eastern North Carolina. 

The NC Community College System, through partnerships with local employers like Prolec GE, continues to serve as the engine behind North Carolina’s workforce development and economic growth.