U.S. Secretary of Labor visits Forsyth Technical and Community College

On July 17th, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia and U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx visited the National Center for Biotechnology Workforce at Forsyth Technical Community College.  College leaders provided a tour of the Biotechnology Lab and hosted a roundtable conversation where they shared information about the college's workforce certifications, career and technical education offerings, college transfer degree programs, apprenticeship programs and dual enrollment opportunities for high school students.  

From Forsyth Tech:

“We were thrilled that U.S. Secretary Scalia and Representative Virginia Foxx spent time with us and were interested in discussing how community colleges are drivers of workforce development, especially at this time in our lives,” said President Spriggs. “They were specifically interested in learning about apprenticeship programs like our Learn and Earn Apprenticeship program (LEAP at Forsyth Tech), cybersecurity and dual enrollment opportunities for high school students.” 

LEAP at Forsyth Tech, began in 2019 as a structured collaboration between Forsyth Tech as the apprenticeship sponsor and instructional provider and local companies committed to employing apprentices throughout the education journey. 

Spriggs said often students with four-year degrees come back to Forsyth Tech to gain a marketable skill, what is known as ‘reverse transfer.’ “Their focus is on learning the skills they need for available jobs and they come to us for that workforce preparation and to earn the certification they need to enter new careers. For many students, community colleges should be the first choice, not the last resort, and we are working hard to make sure high school students and graduates, and all the members of the communities we serve, know the value Forsyth Tech adds to workforce and economic development. We need to end the stigma associated with community colleges.”