What is NCMI?

The North Carolina Manufacturing Institute initiative was conceived in the summer of 2014 during meetings with leaders in Rowan and Cabarrus counties from both chambers of commerce, economic development authorities, the Centralina Workforce Development Board, and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Mitchell Community College joined the initiative in 2016 adding Iredell county to the partnership. Iredell Economic Development Corp. and Statesville Chamber of Commerce support the initiative in Iredell county. This unique three county initiative, Cabarrus, Iredell and Rowan, is a valuable resource for area industry and residents.

NCMI is a response to employers’ need for solving talent recruitment issues in order to grow and remain competitive. This initiative builds a clear and achievable pathway for people to acquire those skills in order to access good jobs in local communities.

Manufacturing firms will benefit from partnering with NCMI through access to a pipeline of screened, trained, certified production technicians who can help them achieve their business goals.

NCMI is specially designed to link and leverage the existing assets of Rowan, Cabarrus, and Iredell counties to solve a growing gap between regional job seekers and available positions. Its innovative funding and operational structure allow the Institute to deliver results in response to a rapidly-growing need for manufacturing employees with certified skills and verified work readiness.