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F T L I

Workforce Development

Henderson County’s labor force consists of over 32,000 workers with a wide variety of talent at all skill levels.

Expanding the Talent Pipeline

Workforce development and industry growth are dependent on one and another. The Partnership develops strong bridges between talent, educational institutions, and companies, ensuring that Henderson County’s labor force is equipped with the necessary skills for manufacturing careers. Through the Made in Henderson County initiative, The Partnership also promotes manufacturing careers in the community by educating citizens, especially school-age and young adults, on the benefits of working in manufacturing.
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28.6%
of Henderson County workforce
with a bachelor’s degree or above
227,978+
workers located within 45 minutes of Henderson County, as part of the Asheville MSA
12%
of Henderson County workforce
working in manufacturing
Workforce Training Resouces
Blue Ridge Community College
Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) administers and delivers customized training  for our area, as offered by the North Carolina Community College System. Customized Training Projects are available for businesses making a capital investment, deploying new technology, creating jobs, and/or expanding an existing workforce. Henderson County’s NC Works Career Center also operates on BRCC’s campus, offering a variety of services to Henderson County Job Seekers and Businesses.  
Blue Ridge Community College Short-Term Credentials Program
Blue Ridge Community College’s short-term training and certifications improves the skills and wages for the local workforce. The short-term credentials program is a great asset for employers looking to mold their workforce for their specific needs efficiently. Programs include electronic engineering, healthcare, business, transportation, and more.
Made in Henderson County
Since 2012, the Made in Henderson County program has worked to enhance the connection between local industry and Henderson County Public Schools. The program has been replicated across the State of North Carolina and has exposed 4,000+ students to local employment through tours, targeted marketing initiatives, and apprenticeship training. Of those students, 20% show an increased interest in the field of manufacturing after exposure to Made in Henderson County.
P20 Council
The Land of Sky Regional Council formed the P20 Council in 2021. The P20 Council is composed of key stakeholders that foster educational attainment that leads to gainful employment. The council’s vision is to implement an educational attainment and workforce collaborative model that is sustainable, and which can be duplicated throughout other counties and states that provide long-term talent management solutions for local employers as they align educational objectives and outcomes to employment competencies.
First In Talent
The North Carolina Department of Commerce and Office of Governor Roy Cooper launched the First in Talent: Strategic Economic Development Plan for the State of North Carolina in 2021. The plan seeks to utilize the state’s resources in sourcing the best talent in the nation for businesses and industry. MyFutureNC serves as a partner in this plan – offering resources for educating North Carolina’s population for the current jobs available in North Carolina. These resources can be used by employers for ideas and creative ways to address workforce development in their organizations.