triangle.com | Home

RALEIGH, N.C. (June 23, 2009) - Two area community colleges are joining forces to offer education that will help Triangle workers and businesses that transport products to customers across the nation and around the world. Representatives of Vance-Granville Community College and Wake Technical Community College announced their new partnership at a press conference today (June 23) on Wake Tech’s Northern Wake Campus. Through the North Carolina Consortium for Logistics Education (NCCLE), the colleges will provide logistics training for students and businesses in Wake County and in the four counties served by VGCC: Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren. In addition to VGCC and Wake Tech, the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at UNC-Chapel Hill is a founding member of the consortium, providing international research and expertise. Area businesses and industries will also be invited to join the partnership.

The consortium will offer a two-year associate degree in Global Logistics Technology, as well as certificates and short-term training customized to meet the needs of area businesses. Courses will be available both on campus and online.

Walter Martin, who was introduced as VGCC’s new Director of Logistics Technology, will be based at Wake Tech’s Northern Wake Campus. Martin will lead the effort to work with industry representatives and recruit students for the program.

"Our program will equip students with the advanced skills necessary to compete for careers in distribution, warehousing, supply chain, transportation, customer service, retail, government, international, and manufacturing organizations," said Martin. Students in the GLT program will learn about supply chain collaboration, importing, exporting, and logistics technology. They will also study how companies manage order fulfillment, purchase raw materials, manage warehouses, and arrange domestic and international transportation services. Martin is developing articulation agreements with four-year institutions for community college students who want to continue their logistics education. When he headed the Global Logistics Technology program at Lenoir Community College in Kinston, his students were able to transfer to either East Carolina University or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

"The Global Logistics Technology curriculum will meet a critical need for logistics professionals with the multi-disciplinary skills that businesses will need to compete around the globe," said Dr. Noel P. Greis, director of the Center for Logistics and Digital Strategy at the Kenan Institute. "There is no doubt about the demand for the kind of education this program will provide."

"Through this consortium, Vance-Granville is continuing our tradition of responding to the changing needs of our region’s economy," said VGCC President Randy Parker. "As record numbers of people turn to community colleges for education, they will find that logistics training can help them start new careers or enhance the skills they already use on the job."

"These skills are absolutely vital for businesses of all kinds," said Dr. Stephen C. Scott, Wake Tech president. "As the world market expands and becomes more complex, industry needs the guidance of highly-skilled workers to keep moving forward. Wake Tech is committed to creating a world-class workforce for the Triangle and beyond."

"We foresee logistics training being a benefit to economic development in our region," said Bud Cohoon, executive director of Triangle North, the network of tax-advantaged business and industrial parks located in Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren counties. "The Triangle and surrounding areas will be more appealing to industry, because we will have a skilled workforce trained for the new high-tech challenges of global commerce."

"Once again, Vance-Granville and Wake Tech have reminded us of the key role that community colleges play in stimulating economic growth," said Danny Wright, a Vance County commissioner who chairs the Kerr-Tar Regional Economic Development Corporation, the nonprofit organization that provides oversight to the Triangle North Industrial Parks. "We believe jobs will be created and saved by this consortium, both through attracting new businesses to the Triangle North area and by helping existing companies innovate and reduce their logistics costs."

####

About VGCC:

One of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System, Vance-Granville Community College is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. VGCC operates four attractive campuses, one in each county: Main Campus in Vance County, South Campus in Granville County (between Creedmoor and Butner), the Franklin County Campus (just west of Louisburg) and the Warren County Campus (Warrenton). VGCC serves nearly 20,000 students each year, providing a variety of opportunities including more than 40 curriculum programs, in which students work toward certificates, diplomas and associate degrees; GED and Adult High School Diploma programs; training in specific job skills; and the first two years of a four-year degree. www.vgcc.edu

About WTCC:

Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) is a two-year, public institution providing an open door to education and training for the citizens of Wake County and surrounding communities. Known as "College for the Real World," the college provides a comprehensive array of learning opportunities and serves an annual enrollment of more than 62,000 students. Curriculum (for-credit) programs in more than 150 academic, vocational, and technical specialties offer two-year associate degrees in science, applied science, the arts, and general education; university transfer programs for entry into four-year institutions; and diploma and certificate programs that prepare workers to succeed at jobs in high demand in the community. Wake Tech also offers a broad scope of continuing education courses, including training for entrepreneurs and small business owners, public safety officer training (fire, rescue, and law enforcement), high school equivalency classes, and non-credit courses for personal and professional development. As the second largest community college in the state, Wake Tech provides customized workforce training for new and expanding industries and a cooperative education program that interfaces with the corporate community. www.waketech.edu

About the Kenan Institute:

The Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise offers research, educational programs and strategic planning to help companies and communities achieve their economic goals. It provides a neutral place where business, government, academia and civil society can collaborate to develop informed, practical and sustainable solutions to the competitive challenges they face. Renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank Hawkins Kenan founded the Kenan Institute at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School in 1985 to promote private enterprise worldwide and leverage private-sector resources and expertise to serve the public interest. www.kenaninstitute.unc.edu