Workforce Recruitment
Manufacturers in Catawba County benefit from a coordinated network of workforce partners that provide hands-on recruiting and talent pipeline support. The NCWorks Career Center in Conover delivers no-cost employer services including job postings, candidate pre-screening and referrals, skills assessments, interview space, hiring event coordination, and guidance on available workforce incentives. NCWorks Online allows employers to post positions and search résumés statewide. The Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board supports recruitment strategies and administers on-the-job and incumbent worker training programs that help offset hiring and training costs. Reflecting the strength of this system, NC is currently ranked the #1 state in workforce development by Site Selection Magazine.
Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) serves as a key workforce partner, aligning technical programs with industry needs, connecting students and graduates to employers, and hosting career fairs and customized hiring events. Employers can also build talent pipelines through CVCC's Workforce Readiness which includes Pre-Apprenticeship opportunities and the Catawba Apprenticeship Network—a registered apprenticeship program in partnership with ApprenticeshipNC—which allows companies to hire employees while they receive structured, Work-Based Learning tailored to advanced manufacturing roles. In addition, Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs within Catawba County’s public schools introduce students to manufacturing, skilled trades, and engineering pathways, providing opportunities for internships, job shadowing, and early workforce engagement. The Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board works closely with local employers to support recruitment strategies, administer On-the-Job Training and Incumbent Worker Training programs, and connect companies to funding opportunities that offset hiring and training costs.
Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Career and Professional Development Center and AppState's Career Development Center, both facilitate employer engagement, internships, and direct student recruitment. Employers can also engage specialized talent pipelines such as HKY4Vets, which connects veterans and transitioning service members with local career opportunities. The Catawba County Economic Development Corporation works closely with each of these organizations and can guide employers to the appropriate recruiting, workforce, and training resources to efficiently meet their specific talent needs.​
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Business and community leaders have committed more than $2.65 million toward a $3.2 million goal to advance GROW Catawba County (Growing & Retaining Our Workforce), a comprehensive, five-year strategy designed to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline, attract and retain skilled workers, and position Catawba County for long-term economic growth.
GROW Catawba County
Business and community leaders have committed more than $2.65 million toward a $3.2 million goal to advance GROW Catawba County (Growing & Retaining Our Workforce), a five-year strategy to strengthen the talent pipeline, attract and retain skilled workers, and support long-term economic growth.
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Developed over two years through research, strategic planning, and input from more than 350 leaders, the initiative focuses on four priorities:
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Homegrown Talent Pipeline: Building on the foundation established through K-64 by strengthening connections between education and industry, expanding career exploration and work-based learning, and creating clearer pathways to high-demand careers for students and adults.
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Targeted Talent Marketing: Telling Catawba County’s story more boldly and intentionally, showcasing career opportunities and quality of life to attract working-age individuals and families, and reconnecting former residents with opportunities to return home.
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Attainable Housing and Quality of Place: Supporting the expansion of attainable housing options, strengthening entrepreneurship and small businesses, and investing in vibrant downtowns, gathering places, and community amenities that make Catawba County an attractive place to put down roots.
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Family and Child Care Support: Expanding access to quality child care, strengthening the early childhood workforce, and encouraging family-friendly and caregiver-supportive workplaces that help more individuals enter and remain in the workforce.​
Rather than duplicate existing efforts, GROW Catawba County will coordinate investments, address gaps, and measure progress. The Catawba County Chamber Foundation will lead implementation alongside employers, educators, local governments, economic development organizations, and nonprofit partners.
Workforce Partners
