Forsyth Technical Community College reported enrollment growth and improved completion rates as county commissioners recognized October as Workforce Development Month and approved a resolution highlighting Forsyth Works and related workforce events.

College president Janice Spriggs told the Board that the college has experienced rising enrollments and improved outcomes tied to its Vision 2025 work. Spriggs said fall headcount climbed year over year (the campus reported a rapid increase and had reached more than 10,300 students by the second eight-week term) and that the college’s three-year completion rate rose from about 19% to 43%. Spriggs said Forsyth Tech is one of 15 North Carolina community colleges to pilot the Boost program, funded by Arnold Ventures, and highlighted new training facilities and county bond-funded projects such as the Transportation Technology Center expansion.

Andrea Sheets, workforce and economic development administrator, and county commissioners read a resolution recognizing October 2025 as Workforce Development Month. The resolution lists events and programs coordinated by Forsyth Works, county partners and Forsyth Tech, including career fairs, employer certification cohorts and the Women of Manufacturing conference.

Greater Winston-Salem Inc. provided a quarterly economic-development update. Mark Owens reported more than 2,800 announced jobs and nearly $793 million in capital investment since 2020 for the county; in the current year he cited 403 jobs announced and $50 million in capital investment. Owens said the organization is tracking a 92-project active pipeline and noted increasing activity in life sciences and biotech, highlighting a UK-based chemical services firm, ReAgent Chemical Services, which announced a $5.6 million investment and 30 jobs.

Commissioners and presenters emphasized the link between workforce training and recruitment: Forsyth Tech’s customized training programs, Forsyth Works events, and employer engagement were described as essential to retaining existing employers and attracting new investment. County and economic-development staff said outreach and site-development work will continue, including infrastructure projects to create new industrial sites and sewer capacity to serve future projects.

The board adopted the workforce development resolution unanimously. Presenters asked the county to continue investment in partnerships that align training pipelines with employer needs and to track employer feedback and placement outcomes.