June 16, 2022
To enhance outreach and collaboration efforts, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton started a video series called Critical Conversations. In the video series, Scott talks with professionals about increasing economic advancement in North Carolina, including workforce preparedness challenges and opportunities.
Watch these approximately 15-minute videos to learn more about how various entities are supporting workforce preparedness in North Carolina:
President of the University of North Carolina System, Peter Hans
Hans discusses programs to help increase the post-secondary attainment of North Carolinians, including agreements between the North Carolina Community College System and the UNC System.
Executive Director of the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative, Adrian Percy
Percy discusses the hands-on education that will be delivered to farmers through extension agents, the training of new agribusiness professionals, and interdisciplinary research that will occur at the Plant Sciences Building.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Carolina Small Business Development Fund, Kevin Dick
Dick discusses resources available to business owners. He also discusses the common challenge of recruiting, retaining, and hiring of new employees as a result of the pandemic.
State Director of the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) Byron Hicks
Hicks discusses services available to small businesses, a record number of business startups, and challenges such as hiring and retaining employees.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the N.C. Chamber Gary Salamido
Salamido discusses economic development issues including the labor shortage, business climate, available sites, and innovation.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Tom Barkin
Barkin discusses the labor shortage, the economic recovery from the pandemic, the great resignation, and the importance of marketing training programs for quality job opportunities.
ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin
Manchin discusses ARC’s funding programs, including workforce preparedness programs.