At a time when North Carolina’s employers are facing critical workforce shortages, Rockingham County is rising to the challenge. Golden LEAF is backing a powerful, community-led solution that connects students to career pathways and strengthens the region’s economy by building strong local roots.
In February 2024, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $800,000 to Rockingham Community College to support LevelUp Rockingham, a strategic workforce preparedness initiative in partnership with Rockingham County Schools and Rockingham County Economic Development.
“The vision shared by the leaders of Rockingham Community College, Rockingham County Economic Development, and Rockingham County Schools for LevelUp Rockingham is truly inspiring,” said Dr. Sylvia Cox, who joined Rockingham Community College as president on May 1, 2025. “Their strategic planning and dedicated efforts to support students in exploring and pursuing careers are both impressive and commendable. I am excited to join a team focused on building a strong local workforce by creating pathways to industry-recognized credentials and well-paying jobs.”
The goal is to develop and expand career pathways in three industries identified by local employers as urgently needing skilled workers.
“The focus on advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and construction as the primary career pathways for LevelUp Rockingham was based on a combination of regional workforce data and feedback from local industry partners,” said Rockingham Community College Associate Vice President for Facilities and External Affairs Dr. Tony Gunn. “Through conversations with local employers and a careful analysis of the area’s workforce needs, it became clear that these three sectors were critical to the region’s economic development and long-term success.”
LevelUp Rockingham is successful because of its partnerships.
“The partnership between Rockingham Community College, Rockingham County Economic Development, and Rockingham County Schools began after a joint visit to the Southern Virginia Career Choice Expo in Fall 2020,” said Dr. Gunn. “Inspired by the event’s impact, the groups collaborated to bring a similar initiative to Rockingham County, leading to the creation of LevelUp Rockingham. This event raises awareness of local career pathways and workforce resources for teens and young adults.”
Golden LEAF funding for LevelUp Rockingham supports faculty positions, instructional equipment and technology, and a new workforce development manager position housed within Rockingham County Economic Development to serve as a liaison between education and industry.
“A key part of the initiative includes an informative website and marketing tools, now overseen by the workforce development manager, who was hired in August 2024,” said Dr. Gunn.
LevelUp Rockingham focuses on preparing students as early as middle school to explore and pursue high-demand careers. The initiative also builds a seamless bridge between K-12 education and Rockingham Community College’s workforce programs, enabling students to earn credentials, complete internships, and graduate job-ready.
This collaboration is already producing measurable results:
- 17 students have completed continuing education courses.
- 28 students have participated in work-based learning.
- 161 students have earned industry/third party certifications, licenses or other credentials.
Additionally, Rockingham County Schools had 1,060 students participating in hands-on career exploration. They saw credential attainment rates among Rockingham County High School students climb to 77.8% in fall 2024, with a 92.2% success rate in the health sciences pathway.
“By providing both career exploration and a clear roadmap for education and credentialing, we ensure that students leave the program with a better understanding of their next steps,” said Dr. Gunn. “We also equip them with vital information that empowers families to make educated decisions about education and career development, ultimately contributing to a more robust local workforce.”
This initiative ensures that local industry is at the table for not only students, but the community, through events like Envision ROCO Youth Career Expo.
“At the last event, more than 60 local businesses provided interactive exhibits highlighting careers including manufacturing, health care, construction trades, and public service,” said Dr. Gunn. “This annual event is a partnership between Rockingham County Economic Development, Rockingham Community College, and Rockingham County Schools, designed to inspire students and connect them with local workforce opportunities.”
Through strategic partnerships and targeted investment, LevelUp Rockingham is ensuring that students across Rockingham County are not only ready for the workforce—they’re shaping its future.