Cape Fear Manufacturing Partnership
capefearmfg.com
Year founded: 2020
Number of companies involved: 42
Top official: James Flock, chair
Organization description: “CFMP is a diverse group of manufacturing companies that have organized in order to address common issues facing our organizations.”
How has your group grown since its inception? “An initial group of about 20 companies that assembled to discuss common issues has expanded to 42 currently. Our scope has expanded to include initiatives geared toward raising awareness of the career possibilities in manufacturing, and providing training geared towards those careers, among many other activities.”
How have you helped impact the region’s economic development? “We are coordinating with local community colleges to create training programs for company staff and the general public. Our actions are serving to improve the technical skills of workers in the area, increasing their earning potential and creating careers, while also providing a pipeline of talent to local manufacturers, ensuring their long-term viability and growth.”
What are your future goals? “Continued and increasing coordination with local schools and improved public outreach in order to share our messaging. Additionally, we are looking for new members to increase our influence and help grow the manufacturing community in the Cape Fear region.”
What current challenges are you facing? “Attracting, training and retaining career-minded staff is our major issue, and the main reason for the formation of the CFMP. Aligned with that, we need to change the perception of manufacturing jobs in this country and make people aware of the career possibilities our member companies can offer.”
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