Joel Welch, President, Western Piedmont Community College

Joel Welch, president of Western Piedmont Community College, spoke with Invest: about Burke County’s economic outlook, the role of community colleges in workforce development, and the college’s focus on lifelong learning. “We meet people where they are, and we take them as far as they can go,” Welch said.

How would you describe the economic outlook for Burke County and western North Carolina?

We are in a positive spot, especially in Burke County. Hurricane Helene had a major impact across western North Carolina. It was devastating in many ways, but one of the beauties of the Appalachian culture is its resilience. While it was a devastating event, it did not destroy the people who are here or that culture.

Burke County is a gateway into western North Carolina, and we are in a place of great opportunity. The community colleges are working together through the Good Jobs Initiative to build programs that provide great jobs, livable wages, and a highly skilled workforce that will drive economic development.

We have a strong ecosystem of a school district, a community college, and community organizations working together to build that workforce. The way those components work together is unique, especially among rural communities.

What role do community colleges play in helping regions compete for new opportunities?

Infrastructure and location are important, but the conversation quickly turns to workforce. In some cases, workforce is the first question. Community colleges are what drive workforce development. We work closely with school districts through dual enrollment and other partnerships, and as a higher education institution, we are critical in developing a skilled workforce.

The North Carolina Community College System is one of the strongest in the country. Western Piedmont Community College was named one of the Top 200 colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute this year. We constantly evaluate our programs and work with industry to ensure we are producing graduates with the skills employers need.

We want to drive economic mobility and impact poverty rates in Burke County. To do that, we need good jobs, and those jobs require a workforce capable of supporting business growth and expansion.

We have also worked to reduce the number of Opportunity Youth, those ages 16 to 24 who are not working or attending school. Through partnerships across the community, that number has dropped significantly over the last several years, and we are seeing more young people engage with industry and workforce opportunities.

What industries are showing the greatest growth potential for the region?

One of the things that attracted me to Burke County is its diverse manufacturing base. For a rural community, it is remarkable. I am not sure there is a single industry that drives us. We still have strong textile and furniture sectors, automotive-related industries, and companies tied to healthcare and medical manufacturing.

Looking ahead, advanced manufacturing will continue to be a major driver. Automotive, aerospace, life sciences, machine tooling, and automation all present opportunities for growth. Companies operating in those areas can find strong partnerships and support in Burke County.

We also benefit from a strong state employee base, which helps provide stability during economic cycles. Overall, Burke County offers an environment where companies can plant, build, and grow within a diverse manufacturing ecosystem.

How are automation and AI changing workforce needs?

We are seeing technology reshape industries, including construction and manufacturing. A good example is our investment in a regional skilled trades solution center focused on plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and HVAC training.

People often worry about automation and AI replacing jobs. We see that these technologies are changing jobs and creating new opportunities. Industrialized construction, for example, is changing how buildings are produced and assembled, but it is also creating new career pathways.

Our approach is to embrace these technologies and incorporate them into education. AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making are becoming important across industries, and we want students to understand how to use those tools effectively.

Through the Good Jobs Initiative, we are also building advanced manufacturing training environments that expose students to automation, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement practices. Companies increasingly want employees who can adapt, learn new technologies, and contribute to productivity improvements over time.

How are you working with employers to develop talent pipelines?

About five years ago, we expanded our registered apprenticeship efforts. Many of our local companies are small and medium-sized businesses, and apprenticeships provide an effective way to develop talent while reducing administrative burdens for employers.

Today, more than 15 companies participate in our apprenticeship program, with apprentices working in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and construction.

Companies understand that workforce challenges are not going away. As a result, they are investing more in developing employees and creating career pathways. We are working with them to build those pathways, from entry-level production roles to technician positions, maintenance, supervision, and management.

Our goal is to help companies develop talent internally while giving employees opportunities for long-term career growth.

Are you seeing more interest from adult learners and workers seeking new skills?

Absolutely. This year, through the NC ReConnect initiative, we identified more than 1,000 people in Burke County who had attended college but never completed a credential. We have had strong success reconnecting with many of those individuals and helping them return to education.

We are also seeing employers invest in existing workers rather than reducing their workforce when economic conditions soften. That has increased demand for micro-credentials, stackable credentials, and shorter-term training opportunities.

Our focus is on helping people gain skills quickly, enter the workforce, and then continue advancing through additional education. We are developing programs such as a mechatronics boot camp that will provide foundational technical skills and connect participants to longer-term career pathways.

In many ways, this approach reflects the traditional apprenticeship model. Students learn on the job, complete coursework, build competencies, and continue advancing throughout their careers. Those pathways can eventually lead to associate degrees, university transfer opportunities, and leadership positions.

What are your top priorities for the next two to three years?

We will continue evolving as a college. One major change has been moving to eight-week courses as our primary delivery model. Research shows this approach improves student success and encourages more people to try college.

We are also transitioning to a one-college model that better connects continuing education, short-term training, and curriculum programs. Someone should be able to start with a micro-credential, move into credit-bearing coursework, and continue progressing toward a degree without barriers between those systems.

Additionally, our Good Jobs Initiative work is focused on advanced manufacturing pathways, including mechatronics, industrial maintenance, machine tooling, welding, and construction trades. We want to create multiple entry points that lead to meaningful careers.

We meet people where they are, and we take them as far as they can go. Whether someone wants to enter the workforce quickly or eventually become a supervisor, manager, or executive, we want to provide pathways that support those goals.

In many rural communities, people sometimes focus on what they cannot do rather than what they can do. We want to help individuals think bigger, identify goals, and achieve them. Our mission is built around uniting with our community to create opportunities and support success.

Is there anything else you would like to highlight?

We have talked a lot about manufacturing and workforce development, but Burke County is also a tremendous place to live. If you enjoy nature, it is hard to beat. We are close to Charlotte, Asheville, and Greenville, South Carolina. I can be beside a waterfall in minutes and at the beach within a few hours.

The quality of life is exceptional. We have strong cultural amenities, including a local performing arts center that brings Broadway productions to the area. Having lived in several great communities, I can say that being on the edge of the mountains provides a unique combination of beauty, accessibility, and opportunity.

I love my work and I love the college, but at the end of the day, people want a high quality of life, and that can absolutely be found in Burke County.