North Carolina 2014 Economic Development Guide

2014

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encourages students and parents to explore logistics careers. "We've got to excite and interest young people in this industry." A high-school diploma is no longer sufficient for entry-level logistics jobs. "Increasingly, companies are demanding a minimum of an associate degree," says Edwards, who teaches logistics as an adjunct faculty member at Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown. Eight North Carolina community colleges offer an associate-degree program in global logistics technology, a curriculum developed in the early 2000s at Lenoir Community College in anticipation of the TransPark's needs. With support from the center, logistics education will become available at other community colleges in the state. "The more programs we can start up, the better." Employers believe earning a college degree prepares workers for more training. "Logistics is about crunching numbers, and that is a lot of what is taught. There's both hands-on skills and, as you move up, leadership skills." Four-year degrees and graduate-level programs in logistics and supply-chain management are available at seven UNC System campuses. Back in Four Oaks, Becton's distribution center, which at 720,000 square feet would cover 15 football fields, adds a new dimension to the company's 680-employee North Carolina network of labs, manufacturing plants and offices in five communities. "Our distribution center in Four Oaks has certainly met our expectations," says Larry Smith, vice president of global supply chain. The distribution center "is ideally located to serve our East Coast customers in the U.S. and for exporting to Europe and Latin America. The [distribution center's] success was aided by its proximity to the interstate highway system, the availability of quality labor and the support of local and state officials." Edwards, meanwhile, sees more work for his logistics center as companies seek expertise and experience. "As a distribution center, North Carolina has not yet achieved its full potential." NC ECO NOMI C DE V ELOP MEN T GU IDE Orange County Ofers Everything a Business Wants for Smart Growth! Some of our unsurpassed assets: • Home to world-renowned UNC at Chapel Hill • Close proximity to Duke, NCSU, other top-ranked universites & research insttutes • Innovatve entrepreneurship environment that borders the Research Triangle Park • Centrally located at the crossroad of I-40 & I-85 with easy access to internatonal airports & seaports Our distnct mix of diversity, high-tech, cosmopolitanism in the midst of a scenic landscape comes together in a business horizon that's seemingly endless. Orange County Economic Development 131 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC 27278 | 919 245-2325 | www.GrowInOrangeNC.com

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