Cape Fear Talent: Regional Workforce Skills Analysis

In the spring of 2020, The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Cape Fear Collective, and RTI International partnered to survey a minimum of 500 businesses across all industries in southeastern North Carolina to raise awareness and identify the areas of highest growth and skills needed in the Cape Fear region. The survey was comprehensive and applied to a wide range of industry sectors such as:

• Construction and skilled trades
• Life sciences and bioscience
• Healthcare and social assistance
• IT, software, and analytics
• Energy, utilities, and cleantech
• Logistics, transportation, and warehousing
• Manufacturing
• Professional and technical services
• Public sector and education
• Restaurant, hospitality services, and tourism

 

In partnership with RTI International, who conducted the survey, the goal was to create a database of information that could help inform and prepare local workforce ecosystem partners. The survey had several objectives which are listed below:

• Understand both short and long-term hiring needs
• Inform training and education providers of the current workforce needs
• Provide current workforce information for policymakers in the workforce, education, and economic development
• Develop an effective cradle-to-career talent pipeline
• Create an efficient structure for ongoing industry feedback

 

Partners

Local

African-American Business Council (AABC)

Brunswick Business & Industry Development

Columbus Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

Genesis Block

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce

Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW)

North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce

Wilmington Business Development

Regional

Cape Fear Workforce Development Board

RTI International

Construction & Skilled Trades

Monteith Construction

Healthcare & Social Assistance

New Hanover Regional Medical Center

IT, Software & Analytics

Coding on CryptoRoad

Live Oak Bank

nCino

Energy, Utilities & Cleantech

Duke Energy

Public Sector & Nonprofit

Cape Fear Collective

District C

North Carolina Business Committee for Education

StepUp Wilmington

The Honor Foundation

Hospitality

Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau

Education

Brunswick Community College

Cape Fear Community College

Columbus County Schools

New Hanover County Schools

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship