Future-Ready Workforce Alliance
Build the Workforce You Need. Without Stopping the Work.
The Future-Ready Workforce Alliance is Forsyth Tech’s employer-driven engine for
developing agile talent pipelines and upskilling workers — without taking them out of the
workforce.
The Skills Gap Is Real. So Is the Cost.
For employers, that gap shows up every day — in unfilled roles, rising turnover, and the cost of recruiting talent that already exists inside yourown organization.
The Future-Ready Workforce Alliance was built to close that gap. Not someday. Now.
Pioneered With Reynolds American Inc
Reynolds American Inc. joined as the inaugural employer member of the Future-Ready
Workforce Alliance, bringing this model to life in advanced manufacturing at their
Tobaccoville Operations Center. Their commitment — as part of a broader $3.2 billion
investment in U.S. manufacturing and innovation — demonstrates what becomes possible
when higher education and industry build together rather than separately.
Reynolds has added more than 1,000 jobs in the Winston-Salem area in recent years, with
200 new manufacturing roles announced for 2026. The Alliance is one of the tools helping
ensure those roles are filled with skilled, work-ready talent developed right here in our
region.
“At Reynolds, we believe that investing in people is the key to building stronger businesses
and more resilient communities. We invite other companies to join us in this effort — because
a future-ready workforce benefits us all.”
— Shay Mustafa, Chief Communications Officer, Reynolds American Inc.
Reynolds American opened the door.
We’re building the Alliance to welcome employers across every sector that drives our regional economy.
A Membership Alliance Built Around Your Business
The Future Ready Workforce Alliance is an employer-led workforce partnership that helps businesses build, retain, and upskill their talent pipeline through customized, work-based education and training.
It is designed to serve both new talent and incumbent workers, enabling employees to continue working while gaining new technical skills that align directly with industry needs.
Unlike one-off training contracts, the Alliance is a structured membership that gives your
business an ongoing relationship with Forsyth Tech’s education and workforce resources —
customized to your needs, built to evolve with your industry.
Connects employers with Forsyth Tech’s education and training resources
Co-designs customized short-term training aligned to real-time business needs
Develops experiential learning, pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship pathways
Supports faculty externships to keep instruction aligned with industry innovation
Builds sustainable talent pipelines at the regional, national, and global level
What Employer Members Get
01. Upskill Incumbent Workers
Flexible short-term training, stackable credentials, and recognized certifications delivered while your employees remain on the job. No disruption to your operations.
02. Build Sustainable Talent Pipelines
Pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship pathways that prepare new and advancing workers for high-demand technical roles — from entry level to leadership.
03. Align Education with Your Industry
Employer members directly shape curriculum design, ensuring Forsyth Tech programs reflect your current and emerging skill needs rather than outdated frameworks.
04. Strengthen Business Competitiveness
Grow talent internally, improve retention, and close hiring gaps. Reduce your dependence on external recruiting by developing the workforce you already have.
Building Careers & Opportunity
The Future-Ready Workforce Alliance is a collaborative effort uniting education, business, and community partners to tackle one of the region’s most urgent challenges — the shortage of skilled workers.
Through the Alliance, students, jobseekers, and current employees will have access to customized, flexible education pathways that combine classroom learning with real-world experience. This approach allows participants to start working quickly, continue their education while employed, and advance their careers over time. Employers benefit by developing and retaining a skilled, reliable workforce — a solution designed to meet the evolving needs of business and industry.
Not a Training Contract. A Strategic Partnership.
| Type | Future-Ready Workforce Alliance | Traditional Training Contract |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Ongoing membership | One-time engagement |
| Customization | Built around your specific needs | Pre-packaged programs |
| Learning Model | Work-based, on the job | Primarily classroom-based |
| Worker Focus | Incumbent workers and new hires | Typically new hires only |
| Faculty | Embedded in industry through externships | Disconnected from workplace |
| Scale | Regional, national, and global reach | Typically local only |
The Future-Ready Workforce Alliance is designed to serve employers across the sectors
where workforce demand is highest and the skills gap is most acute.
Built for the Industries That Power Our Region
Health Sciences
From clinical roles to biotech and life sciences, we develop credentialed
workers ready to meet the demands of one of the region’s fastest-growing sectors.
Advanced Manufacturing
Technical training, apprenticeships, and upskilling programs designed around your production environment — not a generic classroom.
Transportation and Logistics
Workforce pathways for CDL, supply chain, aviation, and emerging transportation technologies that keep our region’s economy moving.
Technology
Cybersecurity, IT support, data, and emerging tech credentials that prepare workers
for roles your industry is struggling to fill.
How Employer Membership Works
Joining the Future-Ready Workforce Alliance is a conversation, not a transaction. Here is what the process looks like from first contact to active partnership.
Step 1:
Start the Conversation
Connect with our workforce development team to discuss your organization’s specific talent challenges, workforce goals, and the roles where you need support most.
Step 2:
Co-Design Your Partnership
Together, we identify the right mix of training pathways, apprenticeship structures, credential programs, and faculty externships to address your needs. No two membership agreements look identical.
Step 3:
Build and Grow
Your employees begin training — on the job, on your schedule. We track outcomes, iterate on curriculum with your input, and expand the partnership as your workforce evolves.
Our Vision for a Future-Ready Region
Forsyth Technical Community College envisions a future-ready workforce where every employer can access skilled talent, and every worker—new, experienced, or incumbent—can learn, earn, and grow without pause. Together, we are developing talent that drives innovation and competitiveness regionally, nationally, and globally.
“The Future Ready Workforce Alliance, powered by Forsyth Technical Community College, unites employers and educators to strengthen the region’s and nation’s talent pipeline. Through customized, work-based upskilling programs, the Alliance helps businesses meet immediate technical and professional skill needs while empowering employees to advance their careers without stepping away from work. Together, we’re building the future-ready workforce North Carolina and the nation need to thrive.”
President Janet Spriggs
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Alliance is designed to serve employers of all
sizes. Whether you have 25 employees or 2,500, we can design a membership structure that fits
your workforce and your budget.
No. Work-based learning
is at the core of everyAlliance pathway. Training is delivered around your schedule and
integrated into the work environment wherever possible
Membership structures vary based on the scope
of your partnership. Contact our workforce development team to discuss options. Some
pathways may be eligible for grant funding or apprenticeship subsidies.
Timeline depends on the scope of the partnership. Some
short-term training pathways can launch within weeks. Apprenticeship programs require a
slightly longer setup period to ensure proper registration and compliance
The Alliance currently focuses on health sciences, advanced
manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and technology. If your industry falls outside these
areas, contact us — we are actively expanding.
Ready to Build Your Workforce Pipeline?
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Workforce Development Team
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Phone: 336-723-0371
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forsythtech.edu/business-community
