As NC continues to transition from legacy industries of textile, furniture and regulated tobacco industry to new economic opportunities in other sectors, we need to realize a couple of critical issues and take advantage of opportunities to be a leader not a lagger on some current trends.
As our governmental leaders are being pressured to finance the conversion costs of converting bleeding edge ideas into cutting edge results, we need to also remember to polish the rusty edge. In other words, as we are funding bio-tech, nano-tech and other high end technologies, we need to make not to forget the existing technologies that support us today, like hydraulics, pneumatics, plc controlled systems and the newly implemented automation technologies.
So many of our kids are not pursuing the education needed to replace the existing skilled maintenance technicians that our national economies rely on.
If NC became known as the Reliability State, where we build and attract the best talented skilled maintenance technicians, existing NC companies would thrive and outsiders would want to join them and not have their hands out wanting large tax incentives to move to NC.
At least that is our vision at the MPACT. And with over 44 employers coming July 19th, looking to fill over 600 positions that pay $15-$25/hour, this concept obviously has merit. We hope that governmental and business leaders consider this simple but novel concept to ensure NC growth and economic stability in future years.
Then hopefully other US states will follow suit and then perhaps the US would become the Reliability Nation.
Wouldn't it be much better to live in a nation that does not have a shortage of technicians than the current surplus entertainers or lawyers? Well hopefully more will catch on before it is too late and the US becomes a minor contributor in the global economy.