# Workforce Is the Foundation: What New Manufacturers Can Learn from North Carolina, 504

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/making-chips-podcast-for-manufacturing-leaders-439170/workforce-is-the-foundation-what-new-manufacturers-can-learn-from-north-carolina-504.md
Podcast: [Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders](https://stenobird.com/podcast/making-chips-podcast-for-manufacturing-leaders-439170)
Published: 2026-01-19T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://makingchips.libsyn.com/workforce-is-the-foundation-what-new-manufacturers-can-learn-from-north-carolina-504
Audio file: https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/pscrb.fm/rss/p/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/makingchips/MC_504_Updated_3.mp3?dest-id=237805
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Duration seconds: 2081

## Resource

As new manufacturers step into ownership, one challenge shows up faster than almost any other: building a team. Before you can scale production, invest in automation, or grow revenue, you need people — and not just any people, but a workforce that can grow with the business. That's where this conversation fits. In this episode, MakingChips is sharing a powerful discussion from Manufacturing Executive , where host Joe Sullivan sits down with John Loyack , Vice President of Economic Development for the North Carolina Community College System. Together, they explore what happens when workforce development is treated as critical infrastructure — the same way we think about roads, utilities, and power. Using North Carolina as a real-world example, John explains how long-term investment in education, customized training, and public–private collaboration has helped manufacturers start, scale, and stay competitive. These systems didn't appear overnight. They were built intentionally, with the understanding that skilled people are foundational to economic growth. The conversation digs into how workforce ecosystems actually function behind the scenes, from customized training programs to leadership development and upskilling. It also highlights why one-size-fits-all solutions rarely work, and how manufacturers can better engage with state and regional resources to support their teams. As you listen, consider this episode a wide-angle view of what it takes to build a manufacturing business that lasts. For aspiring shop owners and young entrepreneurs, it offers context that often gets overlooked early on — but makes all the difference long term. Segments (0:00) Why we're sharing a Manufacturing Executive episode (1:49) Why workforce should be treated as critical infrastructure (3:…

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