SCROLL_UP.svg
logo.svg
search icon.svg
DONATE
open_menu.svg
result
DSC03039.jpg
Forsyth scroll down.svg
State’s Highest Officials Visit Forsyth Tech
Forsyth Tech played host to several high-profile legislative visits this academic year. We were honored to welcome Governor Josh Stein, as well as Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt; each of these milestones underscored how community colleges serve as workforce engines for regional economic growth.
Leaders repeatedly praised Forsyth Tech's apprenticeship programs, advanced training facilities, and partnerships with industry as models for equipping citiens with skills demanded by North Carolina's fast-evolving economy. The events also highlighted the colleges' 65th anniversary and recognition during th eGeneral Assembly's Community College Day.
Governor Josh Stein visited Forsyth Tech’s Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in March 2025 to announce the creation of the Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships. Stein chose the TTC because it showcases hands-on‑, career-focused‑ learning. During the visit, he toured the automotive and diesel labs, met with students and faculty, and signed an executive order establishing the council. The body will bring together leaders from education, business, labor and state agencies to identify workforce needs, align training with emerging industries, and ensure North Carolinians can access pathways to high-wage, high-growth careers. Stein emphasized that the state’s greatest asset is its people and that investing in workforce development is essential for maintaining North Carolina’s competitive edge.
Dr. Spriggs noted that the college’s apprenticeships and work-based learning programs allow students to “learn while they earn,” building real skills for family-sustaining careers. The event drew dignitaries including Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley, Senator Eddie Settle and North Carolina Community College System President Dr. Jeff Cox. Their presence underscored statewide support for Forsyth Tech as a model for workforce education.
Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt visited Forsyth Tech’s Aviation Systems Technology Program in June 2025 as part of her “Future‑Ready Community College Tour.” Touring the program’s hangar with Dr. Spriggs and local officials, she spoke with students preparing for aviation maintenance careers. Hunt highlighted how community colleges position North Carolina to lead in aerospace innovation, telling students that “the future of flight is in North Carolina” and that programs like Forsyth Tech’s ensure “the sky’s the limit.” She connected the program’s workforce training to the state’s economic opportunity, noting that JetZero’s plan to invest more than $4.7 billion in Guilford County and create 14,500 jobs makes aviation technicians in high demand.
Dr. Spriggs described Forsyth Tech as reinventing education by creating flexible, purpose-‑built pathways and “reimagining community college” to meet the needs of diverse learners and the modern economy. The visit demonstrated how legislative leaders value community colleges as critical partners for preparing a future‑ready workforce
On the North Carolina General Assembly’s Community College Day, Representative Donny Lambeth presented representatives from the college with a resolution originally adopted on March 19, 2025, in honor of Forsyth Tech’s 65 years of service. The resolution acknowledged the college’s impact on workforce development, economic growth and educational access, praising its leadership in technical training, innovation and partnerships with industry, K‑12 schools and universities. The resolution emphasized Forsyth Tech’s role in shaping the region’s future and commended its commitment to student success. Community College Day brings students, faculty and leaders from all 58 community colleges to the General Assembly to advocate for the critical role these institutions play in strengthening North Carolina’s workforce and economy .
CommunityCollegeDay25-63.jpg
At Forsyth Tech, this recognition coincided with its 65th anniversary; the college highlighted its leadership in advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, cybersecurity, health sciences and skilled trades, demonstrating how community colleges drive economic development.
Greater Winston‑Salem, Inc. hosted its second annual legislative breakfast at Forsyth Tech’s Rhoades Conference Center. The event assembled local and state leaders – including Representatives Kanika Brown and Jeff Zenger, Mayor Pro Tempore D.D. Adams, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Chair Don Martin, Forsyth County Manager Shontell Robinson and City Manager William "Pat" Pate, to discuss education and workforce development. Representative Zenger lauded Forsyth Tech’s role, noting that his children had attended the college and that community colleges are the “key to workforce development.” Representative Brown called for bipartisan collaboration and urged residents to share challenges with elected officials. Adams emphasized adapting education and training to meet the demands of a changing workforce. The breakfast reinforced Forsyth Tech’s importance as a catalyst for economic mobility and a partner to policymakers in shaping a prosperous future.
The legislative visits to Forsyth Tech during this period illustrate how community colleges anchor local and statewide economic development. The legislative breakfast fostered dialogue on workforce challenges and highlighted bipartisan appreciation for Forsyth Tech’s contributions. The Community College Day proclamation celebrated 65 years of service and emphasized the college’s leadership in cutting ‑edge sectors. Governor Stein’s announcement of the Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships underscored the state’s commitment to aligning training with industry needs, while Lt. Governor Hunt’s visit howcased Forsyth Tech’s aviation program as pivotal for capitalizing on aerospace investments. Together, these engagements portray Forsyth Tech as a workforce driver whose partnerships with government and industry are essential for ensuring economic opportunity across the region and state.