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Universities/Colleges | Workforce Development Partnership | Training | Labor Advantages | High Marks from Business
Boasting a population over 2.6 million, a regional unemployment rate around 12.6% and a workforce 1.3 million strong, the Charlotte Region offers a skilled, low-union labor force in both rural and urban settings. World-class companies such as Bank of America, Duke Energy, Goodrich, General Dynamics and Lowe's have benefited tremendously from the competitive regional workforce and continue to invest heavily in local educational institutions and associated training programs respective to their industry.
While many areas in the U.S. are struggling with population loss, population growth in the Charlotte USA region is projected to increase by 11.5% over the next 5 years, far outweighing the estimated projections of 4.6% during the same time period for the entire U.S. During 2007, Charlotte USA welcomed more than 62,780 newcomers to the region, according to a recent American Community Survey release.
> Click here for - Population Density Map
> Click here for - Labor Force Map
Universities/Colleges
The Charlotte region's educational assets are first class - 36 institutions of higher learning call the region home, offering a consistent supply of young talent that eagerly enters an already skilled and disciplined workforce each year.
> Click here for - List of Colleges and Universities
The Charlotte Regional Workforce Development Partnership
The Charlotte Regional Workforce Development Partnership (CRWDP) was established to serve as a support organization to the Charlotte Regional Partnership. The CRWDP's purpose is to address the needs of both the workforce and the special training needs of business and industry. By providing customized training, the nine colleges in the partnership complement the Charlotte Regional Partnership in attracting new jobs to the 16-county area. The CRWDP creates resource development opportunities by capitalizing on each college's strengths and focusing on collaboration and partnerships.
The member colleges are:
South Piedmont Community College - Anson and Union Counties
Catawba Valley Community College - Catawba and Alexander Counties
Central Piedmont Community College - Mecklenburg County
Cleveland Community College - Cleveland County
Gaston College - Gaston and Lincoln Counties
Mitchell Community College - Iredell County
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College - Rowan and Cabarrus Counties
Stanly Community College - Stanly County
York Technical College - York, Chester, and Lancaster Counties (SC)
Workforce Training Programs
North and South Carolina offer extensive workforce development programs ranging from recruitment assistance to worker training in new and expanding industries.
- Job Development Tax Credits available for qualifying firms
- South Carolina ranked #5 State Training Program in US (2006)
- Center for Accelerated Technology Training (CATT) provides recruiting, screening, and training for new and expanding businesses statewide
- Centralina Workforce Development Board serving both Carolinas in the region dedicated to bridging gap between local employer needs and existing educational resources.
- Specialized training programs tailored to meet needs of new & existing industries such as:
- Occupational continuing education
- Human Resources Development
- Specialized Industrial Training
- Workforce and Training initiatives
Labor Advantages
Both North and South Carolina have Right-to-Work laws, which permit individual workers to choose whether or not they wish to join a labor union.
In 2006, both North and South Carolina experienced the lowest unionization rates in the country, making this the fourth year of decline in union activity for both states:
- NC - 3.5% union membership (2008)
- SC - 3.9% union membership (2008)
Average Workman's Comp
Rate/$100 (2004):
| State |
US Rank |
| North Carolina |
$2.43 |
22 |
| South Carolina |
$2.74 |
12 |
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Average Unemployment Insurance Cost
Per Worker (2004):
| State |
US Rank |
| North Carolina |
$225.62 |
18 |
| South Carolina |
$149.81 |
34 |
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 Our Region Receives High Marks from Business
The Workforce Development Partnership evolved from an existing collaboration between the private and public sectors to address the special training needs of business and industry through the collective educational resources of 10 local community and technical colleges.
With our Workforce Development Partnership we're able to tap the best resources to address your training requirements. Our flexibility allows customized training to be developed specifically to your industry, and classes can be conducted on-site, near company facilities, or in a campus environment. Driven by our commitment to make our region second to none as a home to business, we go the extra mile to provide what you need.
| 2006 Charlotte USA Employment |
| 2009 Total Population, age 16+ |
2,037,531 |
| 2014 Total Population, age 16+ |
2,284,892 |
| 2009-2014 Total Population growth, age 16+ |
.3% |
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| 2009 Charlotte USA Employees By Occupation |
| |
Count |
% |
| "White Collar" Employees |
666,119 |
59% |
| Administrative Support Workers |
150,159 |
13.3% |
| Management/Business/Financial Occupations |
161,449 |
14.3% |
| Professional Specialty Occupations |
220,158 |
19.5% |
| Sales Professionals |
133,224 |
11.8% |
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| "Blue Collar" Employees |
302,576 |
26.8% |
| Construction, Repair & Mining |
74, 515 |
6.6% |
| Farming, Forestry & Fishing |
3,387 |
.3% |
| Installation/Maintenance/Repair |
50,806 |
4.5% |
| Production Occupations |
101,611 |
9% |
| Transportation/Material Moving |
72,257 |
6.4% |
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| Source: ESRI 2006 |
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