How Brunswick Co. Bridges Experienced Workers with New Talent

Manufacturing employers nationwide face an aging workforce: in 2017, nearly 25% of U.S. manufacturing workers were age 55 or older. As veteran machinists approach retirement, companies risk losing crucial expertise unless knowledge is transferred.

Brunswick County actively addresses this challenge by fostering a mixed-age labor market. The area boasts a highly skilled workforce, specialized labor, and the flexibility to provide customized training tailored to a company’s needs.

Experienced technicians mentor younger hires through college programs, on-the-job training and apprenticeships, ensuring that hard-earned skills in a wide variety of manufacturing processes are passed on. This knowledge-sharing culture keeps Brunswick businesses running smoothly even as one generation of workers retires and another begins their careers.

Brunswick’s Skilled Workforce and Training Pipeline

Brunswick County benefits from a deep talent pool spanning generations. The region is home to over 200,000 skilled workers and about 53,000 college students, including growing numbers of engineering and technical graduates.

In fact, between 2008 and 2018, the number of local college graduates rose by 70%, and more than 30% of Brunswick-area workers now hold at least a four-year degree. This educated workforce provides an influx of younger employees with digital and technical skills for modern manufacturing. At the same time, southeastern North Carolina’s large military and veteran population brings disciplined, experienced talent to the labor force.

Educators and employers work together: three nearby community colleges and two universities offer manufacturing and technology programs, and curricula can be tailored to industry needs. The result is a continual pipeline of new workers who can “hit the ground running” in roles from precision machining to automated assembly.

All this occurs against a backdrop of rapid growth. Brunswick was the fastest-growing county in North Carolina (sixth-fastest in the U.S. in 2018–2019) with 13% job growth from 2013 to 2018, which means the labor pool keeps expanding as the economy attracts more business.

Brunswick County bridges generations through a coordinated training ecosystem:

Customized Education & Training:

Local colleges partner with industry to design programs. For example, Brunswick Community College (BCC) offers customized technical training and has even acquired an advanced eight-axis CNC machine to train students on the exact equipment used by area manufacturers. Nearby universities and colleges all offer relevant manufacturing curricula, and BCC collaborates directly with companies to meet specific needs, such as on-site upskilling and apprenticeships.

Hiring Incentives:

State programs like NCWorks provide On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Paid Work Experience grants. These subsidies let manufacturers offset the cost of training new hires, speeding the integration of young workers into production teams.

Apprenticeships & Dual Enrollment:

Brunswick promotes apprenticeships and dual-education pathways. The Career & College Promise program allows high-school students to earn credits and technical certifications while working part-time in shops. BCC’s trade programs (welding, HVAC, machining, etc.) have seen record enrollments (430 students in 2025). Scholarships and reduced tuition for adult learners and high-schoolers open these programs to all ages, so entry-level positions are often filled by people of any generation who have received formal training.

Skilled Talent Pool:

The county’s demographics favor multi-generational staffing. With over 200,000 workers nearby and tens of thousands of students in training, employers can recruit both seasoned experts and young, entry-level technicians. Overall population and educational attainment are rising: trends that reinforce a steady supply of labor for manufacturers.

Industry Collaboration and Economic Growth

Brunswick County’s approach is grounded in real partnerships. For instance, when Precision Swiss Products opened a factory in Leland, its leaders credited BCC’s support for choosing the location.

BCC Vice President Greg Bland and company officials worked together from the start: the college custom-designed training programs and even secured a $200,000 grant to purchase an eight-axis CNC machine so students could learn on the exact equipment Precision Swiss uses.

Precision Swiss now hosts an annual “Manufacturing Day” at its plant for local students and families, and is setting up an apprenticeship program so trainees can earn money while learning on the job.

This strategy has attracted major projects. In late 2023, Epsilon Advanced Materials selected Brunswick County for a new $650 million graphite plant (500 jobs), citing the county’s labor advantages. The company’s managing director noted that Brunswick offered a “good workforce” and access to training programs as key factors in the decision.

In response, BCC is already adapting its curriculum: it plans electric-vehicle industry courses and faculty training so that local residents can be qualified for these new jobs.

This readiness to evolve training for cutting-edge industries, while leveraging the experience in the area, exemplifies how Brunswick bridges generations.

Competitive Advantage for Manufacturers

Brunswick County’s multi-generational manufacturing workforce is a compelling asset. The combination of veteran expertise and incoming talent is backed by strong data: the region’s workforce is both large and educated.

For a manufacturer considering expansion, Brunswick thus offers a proven formula: an experienced workforce mentors younger colleagues in a culture of continuous learning, while state programs and schools ensure a steady flow of newly trained workers. This integrated system of training and recruitment helps companies avoid skill shortages.

Ready to Expand or Relocate Your Business

Brunswick County is ready to help your business succeed with a workforce that blends proven expertise and fresh talent. Whether you’re considering expansion or relocation, the Brunswick Business & Industry Development team is here to guide you every step of the way, from site selection to workforce strategy.