When it comes to workforce development, Wilson occupies a pretty unique (if altogether confounding) workforce profile.  Consider these facts compiled from the NC Department of Commerce and Wilson Economic Development Council:
 

• Wilson consistently ranks in the top 10 counties in NC for average highest weekly wage, AND;
• Wilson consistently ranks in the top 10 counties in NC for number of available jobs, YET;
• Wilson also consistently ranks in the top 10 counties in NC for highest unemployment rate.
• Moreover, Wilson has more people commuting INTO the county for job opportunities, than those who commute OUT for similar opportunities. 

 
Furthermore, consider that Wilson County also has a top-performing community college, one of the best value four-year liberal arts colleges in the south, two early college academies, and high-performing public, private, and charter schools.  Many of the same employers who pay competitive wages for an abundance of opportunities, are also willing to pay for education and job training for their employees.
 
How then, do we match a talented emerging workforce with the plentiful needs of our employers?  The Chamber is taking a two-fold approach.
 
On the micro-level, we’ve introduced our NextGen Hiring Event presented by Greenlight Community Broadband.  This inaugural event will be held on Thursday, February 23, and is designed to match immediate career opportunities.  There is no cost for career-seekers to attend this event when they register in advance, and a few opportunities still exist for employer exhibitors to have a presence at the event.  More about NextGen can be found HERE.
 
Our macro approach includes forming the Wilson Workforce Alliance with Wilson Forward.  Not only are we focusing on how to engage “opportunity youth” as part of the Carolina Across 100 initiative, we are also discovering better ways we can prepare our workforce to meet the demands of Wilson’s ever-growing employment base.
 
As we continue to grow Wilson’s market as a premier destination for business, workforce development will continue to be a primary component of the Chamber’s program of work.