HITTING THE BOOKS: North Carolina puts the 'community' in community colleges.

North Carolina's community college system is frequently hailed as one of the most comprehensive in the country. Based on the number of colleges, the system is the third-largest in the nation and tends to specialize in career-readiness.

Speaking to community colleges throughout the state, one frequently hears about a passionate focus on working with area businesses to train students to match their specific needs. Creating a stable and highly qualified workforce is the goal for many of the institutions of higher education in North Carolina.

The North Carolina Community College System had more than 680,000 students in academic year 2017-18, according to its Raleigh-based office. The system estimates 40% of the current workforce received training at a community college in the last 10 years.

Working with existing industries to offer up-to-date training in areas of need has contributed to our state's solid economy.

Wake Technical Community College's Research Triangle Park Campus offers specializations in cybersecurity, business analytics, project management, network management and other lucrative industries.

"Innovation fuels the RTP Campus," Wake Tech President Scott Rails says. "It is strategically positioned to meet the workforce training needs of the community that surrounds it."

Edgecombe Community College is analyzing local workforce needs to offer the latest educational opportunities in advanced manufacturing specifically. Their new Center for Innovation on the Tarboro campus opened for classes in January and will focus on the manufacturing industry. Additionally, Blue Ridge Community College works specifically with industries in Henderson and Transylvania counties to develop programming.

Another industry integral to the state's economy is aviation, which compelled Guilford Technical Community College to open a 242,000-squarefoot Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Greensboro and launch an expansive aviation training program in 2018.

Community colleges are a draw for students of all ages. Many work with older students as they look to start a new career. Lenoir Community College's Quick Jobs program provides students with the training to work in less than six months in the areas of energy distribution systems technologies, electrical wiring, heating, ventilations, air conditioning, certified production technician, transportation operations management, truck driver training (CDL Class A) and welding. Some colleges also offer free classes to...