North Carolina Community College System Launches Toolkit to Strengthen Rural Advanced Manufacturing Workforce

With advanced manufacturing driving economic growth across North Carolina, building a sustainable pipeline of skilled talent is more important than ever—especially in rural communities where new and expanding operations can transform local economies.

To support this critical need, the North Carolina Community College System has released a new Rural Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships Toolkit. The toolkit showcases innovative partnership models that are meeting the evolving workforce demands of the state’s advanced manufacturing sector, particularly in rural regions.

Developed through the Rural Postsecondary Practices Partnership (RP3)—a collaboration between the North Carolina Community College System, the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research, EducationNC, and myFutureNC—the toolkit is designed to equip rural-serving colleges with practical strategies to expand training, strengthen employer partnerships, and meet regional labor demands.

“We know that strong partnerships are the key to unlocking workforce potential in rural areas,” said Dr. Zach Barricklow, Interim Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the System. “This toolkit highlights how North Carolina’s community colleges are not only meeting the needs of advanced manufacturing employers, but also driving economic resilience in the communities they serve.”

The resource includes real-world examples of how colleges are implementing solutions such as apprenticeship programs supported by ApprenticeshipNC, and customized training programs offered through NCEdge. These efforts are part of a larger push to align education and training with high-demand career pathways in advanced manufacturing.

The toolkit features dozens of successful collaborations with employers, K-12 schools, universities, military installations, government agencies, workforce boards, and community-based organizations. While partnership is a key strategy in any setting, it is especially vital in rural areas where resources are often limited. These collaborations help rural colleges maximize impact and extend opportunities across their communities.

This is RP3’s second toolkit. The first focused on rural healthcare partnerships and is available on the NCCCS website.

Explore the Toolkit

To view the Rural Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships Toolkit or to share feedback or additional partnership examples, email RP3@nccommunitycolleges.edu. 

About RP3

The Rural Postsecondary Practices Partnership (RP3) draws on insights from nearly 50 rural-serving institutions across North Carolina—the largest rural college network in the country. RP3 identifies and shares effective, data-informed practices that enhance workforce development, student success, and economic mobility in rural regions.

Partner Organizations:

• North Carolina Community College System – Serving 58 colleges across the state, the System delivers accessible, high-quality education designed to develop a globally competitive workforce.
• Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research – Based at NC State University, the Belk Center supports community college leaders in advancing equity, attainment, and mobility.
• EducationNC (EdNC) – A nonprofit newsroom focused on elevating stories, data, and research from North Carolina’s education sector, especially community colleges. View EdNC’s editorial independence statement.
• myFutureNC – A statewide nonprofit working to ensure that by 2030, 2 million North Carolinians hold a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree.