For 65 years, Fayetteville Technical Community College has been more than an educational institution. We have been Cumberland County's workforce engine, helping generations of residents gain the skills, credentials, and opportunities needed to build meaningful careers while providing local employers with the talent necessary to grow and thrive.

As FTCC celebrates its 65th anniversary, we do so with tremendous pride in our history and an even greater focus on our future. While higher education continues to evolve, our mission remains clear: prepare a future-ready workforce that strengthens our economy, creates pathways to economic mobility, and supports the long-term prosperity of our community.

Today, workforce development is no longer the responsibility of a single institution. The challenges facing employers and workers are too complex, and the pace of change is too rapid. Businesses across every sector are struggling to find qualified talent. Emerging technologies are transforming the skills required for success. Demographic shifts, labor force participation challenges, and increasing workforce demands require us to think differently about how we prepare people for careers.

That is why FTCC has embraced a leadership role in bringing partners together to create a workforce system that is more aligned, better connected, and easier for individuals and employers to navigate.

For too long, workforce development efforts across the country have often been fragmented, with multiple organizations operating independently, each providing valuable services but sometimes creating confusion for the people we are trying to serve. At FTCC, we believe the future depends on building a more seamless ecosystem where education, workforce training, economic development, and employer engagement are intentionally connected.

This work is happening every day through our partnerships with Cumberland County, the City of Fayetteville, the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, Cumberland County Schools, the military community, NCWorks, workforce agencies, healthcare providers, business and industry leaders, and numerous community organizations. Together, we are aligning resources, strengthening career pathways, and working to ensure students and job seekers can move more easily from education and training into high-demand, high-wage careers.

Our shared goal is straightforward: create a workforce system that meets individuals where they are, helps them identify career opportunities, provides clear pathways to credentials and employment, and supports lifelong learning as they advance throughout their careers. When workforce partners operate as one coordinated system rather than a collection of separate programs, individuals succeed faster, employers gain access to talent more efficiently, and the entire community benefits.

This collaborative approach is especially important as Cumberland County continues to attract investment and experience growth across key industries.

Few fields better illustrate this opportunity than cybersecurity. Every organization today depends on secure digital infrastructure, and the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to accelerate. Businesses, healthcare organizations, financial institutions, government agencies, and military operations all require highly trained professionals capable of protecting critical systems and sensitive information. Through strategic investments and industry partnerships, FTCC is expanding cybersecurity education and workforce development opportunities to ensure employers have access to the talent they need and graduates are prepared to contribute immediately upon entering the workforce.

Healthcare remains another critical priority for our region. As our population grows and ages, demand for nurses, technicians, allied health professionals, and specialized healthcare providers continues to increase. Through strong partnerships with leading healthcare systems and providers, FTCC is helping address workforce shortages while creating life-changing opportunities for residents seeking stable, rewarding careers. Expanding capacity, accelerating pathways to employment, and increasing access to healthcare education remain central to our workforce strategy.

Advanced manufacturing continues to be one of the most important drivers of economic growth throughout southeastern North Carolina. Today's manufacturing environment bears little resemblance to that of previous generations. Automation, robotics, precision systems, and advanced technologies require a highly skilled workforce capable of adapting to constant change. Through close collaboration with employers, FTCC continues to align training programs with industry demands while creating direct pathways from education into employment. These efforts not only support existing employers but also strengthen our region's ability to attract new businesses and investment.

We are also witnessing tremendous growth in unmanned aircraft systems and drone technologies. Applications now extend well beyond aviation into public safety, agriculture, logistics, construction, infrastructure inspection, surveying, and emergency management. As these technologies become increasingly integrated into daily operations, the need for a skilled workforce will continue to grow. FTCC is committed to developing educational pathways that position Cumberland County and our region as leaders in this emerging field.

What makes these successes possible is partnership.

No college can develop a workforce alone. Likewise, no employer, government agency, economic development organization, or workforce provider can solve workforce challenges independently. Sustainable solutions require shared vision, shared investment, and shared accountability.

That is why FTCC is committed to serving as the convener, connector, and catalyst that brings partners together around a common goal: building the workforce our community needs today and preparing for the workforce demands of tomorrow.

We see this commitment reflected in the growing confidence students and employers have in FTCC. Enrollment continues to grow as more individuals recognize that workforce-focused education provides one of the most direct pathways to economic opportunity. At the same time, employers increasingly look to FTCC as a trusted partner for talent development, customized training, and workforce solutions.

As we begin the 2026-2027 academic year, these trends reinforce what we have long known: when education is aligned with workforce needs and supported by strong partnerships, everyone benefits.

As the community's college, our responsibility extends beyond the classroom. More than 70 percent of our graduates remain in our local community to live and work, directly contributing to the economic vitality of Cumberland County and the surrounding region. Their success strengthens local businesses, supports families, expands the tax base, and improves quality of life throughout the community.

As we celebrate 65 years of service, we remain guided by a simple but powerful principle: our success is measured by the success of the people and communities we serve. That means listening carefully to employers, responding quickly to workforce needs, creating clear pathways into high-demand careers, and ensuring every resident has access to opportunities that can transform lives.

The future of Cumberland County will be shaped by individuals who possess the skills, adaptability, and commitment to lifelong learning necessary to succeed in an ever-changing economy. They will be cybersecurity professionals protecting critical infrastructure, healthcare workers caring for our families, advanced manufacturing technicians driving innovation, and drone operators helping transform industries across the region.

For 65 years, FTCC has helped power the workforce that drives our economy. Today, working alongside Cumberland County, the City of Fayetteville, FCEDC, Fayetteville State University, Methodist, employers, educators, workforce agencies, and community partners, we are building something even more important: a coordinated workforce ecosystem that creates clearer pathways to opportunity, reduces barriers to success, and positions our region for sustained economic growth.

The challenges ahead are significant, but the opportunities are even greater. Together, we are creating a stronger workforce, a stronger economy, and a stronger Cumberland County for generations to come.