Defining Today’s Skilled Labor Needs: A Recap of Vision NWNC 2025
The 6th annual Vision Northwest North Carolina summit, held Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Watauga Campus of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute brought together over 110 leaders from across the region for a day of cross-sector collaboration, practical solutions, and forward-focused dialogue.
Presented by SkyLine/SkyBest and Carolina West Wireless, and hosted by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with regional stakeholders, this year’s event zeroed in on the intersection of workforce readiness, skilled trades, and long-term economic resilience. Attendees included employers, educators, civic leaders, and nonprofit professionals—all united in exploring how Northwest North Carolina can train, retain, and support the skilled workforce needed today and into the future.
The afternoon featured an inspiring keynote from Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt, who shared her Future-Ready NC plan and emphasized the importance of strengthening early childhood infrastructure and investing in community colleges to secure the state’s workforce pipeline. A panel discussion on aligning educational programs with labor market needs rounded out the afternoon, offering key insight into how workforce and education leaders can stay connected to meet evolving industry needs.
Morning breakout sessions tackled real-time needs through conversations on crossover skill sets, regional training programs, and the unique workforce challenges presented by storm recovery in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The morning also featured a presentation from Dr. Kim Case of MyFutureNC, who offered updates on the state’s ambitious post-secondary attainment goals and shared examples of how successful collaboration between industry and education is advancing economic opportunity across North Carolina.
The event closed with a shared takeaway: the work doesn’t end here. As we look ahead, attendees were encouraged to take the ideas, insights, and connections from the day and continue building momentum in their own communities—working together to ensure every industry, student, and worker has a path to success.
With major thanks to our sponsors, panelists, and engaged attendees, Vision Northwest North Carolina continues to be a go-to regional event where innovation, workforce, and economic development meet.