North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt visited Vance-Granville Community College’s South Campus on March 31, touring key workforce training programs and meeting with students, faculty, and industry partners to learn more about the College’s role in the regional workforce.
The visit began with a meet-and-greet with local industry partners, including refreshments crafted by students in Vance-Granville’s Culinary Arts program. Representatives from Altec, Ontic, and Sunrock joined College leaders to demonstrate the importance of collaboration in aligning academic programs with real-world workforce needs. Ontic and Sunrock highlighted recent apprenticeships with VGCC’s Mechatronics Engineering and Heavy Equipment Operator programs, respectively, which offer students a clear pathway from the classroom to their future careers.
“As our region’s primary workforce developer, it was important for VGCC to showcase not only students and programs, but the public-private partnerships that connect our students with strong careers in our communities,” noted VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais.
Lt. Gov. Hunt’s tour also included stops in the College’s lively mechatronics and electronics labs, where students demonstrated the skills they’re already putting into practice with local employers.
A Future-Ready Focus
The focus turned toward the future as VGCC leaders shared plans for the College’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Applied Technology (CAMAT) and Transportation Training & Technology Center. Together, these expansion projects reflect the interconnected nature of the regional economy: CAMAT will prepare the next generation of manufacturers and engineers who produce goods, while the Transportation Center will train the truck drivers and mechanics needed to move those goods efficiently through the supply chain. The Lieutenant Governor also visited the VGCC Small Business Center and learned about its entrepreneurship initiatives.
The tour concluded with a hands-on demonstration of the College’s drone program, displaying VGCC’s continued investment in emerging technologies and innovative workforce solutions.
“I’ve been incredibly impressed by the public-private partnerships at Vance-Granville Community College,” Lt. Gov. Hunt observed. “This is exactly what it looks like when communities come together to expand opportunity by building workforce programs that prepare our students not just for today’s jobs, but for the future they deserve.”
As the 13th stop on the Lieutenant Governor’s Future-Ready Community College Tour, the visit to Vance-Granville Community College highlighted the critical role institutions like VGCC play in preparing a skilled, adaptable workforce. Through strong industry partnerships and forward-looking programs, VGCC continues to equip students with the tools they need to succeed while supporting the evolving needs of the regional economy.
