NC Tech Paths trains rural workers for technology jobs.

This series looks at the role community colleges play in economic development.

• This community college created a playbook that other colleges could use to establish a student success center to double graduation rates. Level.
• This community college has formed a nonprofit to bring high-paying jobs to the region and is revitalizing downtowns by building spaces for workers to gather.
• This task force is working to connect community college employees to high-quality, affordable child care, allowing them to work in the region.

With this strategic focus on the economic mobility of students, the economic prosperity of workers and employers, and the economic impact of the region, the work of the future is happening now in Wilkes County.

In the northwest corner of our state, a nonprofit organization is making Wilkes, Ashe and Allegany counties a hub for rural tech workers in partnership with Wilkes Community College, Per Scholas and the Herring Family Foundation. Zach Bariclough — who told statewide leaders before the pandemic that telework was our future — is the executive director of NC Tech Paths.

The nonprofit helps connect employers with well-trained tech talent, and provides students with high-growth, high-paying jobs.

The first batch of students trained to become software engineers. 16 students started the 15 week program. 10 students graduated, and 10 were employed by Emar Intelligence or Lowes. The average income before the training was $32,000 and the average income after the training was $55,000, an increase of 72%. Salaries will be increased for those who have been on the job for more than 90 days.

The second group of students trained to learn IT support. All 12 participants graduated. 11 of the graduates are at Lowe’s (one graduate postponed entry to work to start a family). The average salary before training was $27,000 and after training it was $47,000, a 74 percent increase.

The third group of 24 students are in training to learn IT support.

The training is free and includes a stipend for living expenses during training – $5,500 for the first group and $4,500 for the second group – given to students.

Barricklow said the groups are diverse in age (mid-20s to mid-60s), race and ethnicity, gender and educational background. He said living allowance is crucial.

“That’s what opened it,” he said. “In fairness, that’s what allowed this to be available to people who are currently in low-income jobs or are the primary wage earners in their families.”

The graduates will stay in their home counties, and employers must agree to allow them to work remotely. NC Tech Paths is paid placement fees by employers. This revenue will help cover the cost of future fellowships that the non-profit organization supports in partnership with Perry Scholas and Wilkes Community College.

But increasing the economic prosperity of students into a workforce is just the beginning.

What is RTO?

RTO stands for Rural Technology Outlet. The meaning is this:

The Rural Tech Outpost (“RTO”) is a state-of-the-art co-working facility created and managed by NC Tech Paths to provide professional work, meeting and community-building spaces for large and small companies, as well as local freelancers, telecommuters and entrepreneurs. Our RTOs combine traditional co-working space and facilities with company-sponsored pods for tech talent teams, including community event space.

The RTO’s mission statement is “to equip our rural neighbors with the modern spaces and tools necessary to gather, learn and collaborate in the global digital economy while contributing to the local high street economy.”

Barricklow seeks to do all of this — from supporting student success to connecting workers to tech jobs — to drive community economic development by revitalizing Northwestern North Carolina’s cities and local economies.

It’s currently under construction, but NC Tech Path’s first RTO will be at 711 Main Street in North Wilkesboro.

A press release said: “The building has been named ‘The Masthead’ in recognition of its long-standing residence.” The Wilkes Journal-Patriot Gazeta will open in 2022. It houses more than 80 technology workers, entrepreneurs and other professionals and offers state-of-the-art teleconferencing suites and community meeting space. A significant portion of those individuals will graduate from technology education programs supported by NC Tech Paths to provide economic activity for Wilkes County residents.

There will also be a “Company Pod” for NC Tech Pathways’ recruiting partners for corporations around the world to be located in smaller cities.

And Doren Tripp, Masthead’s community manager, said, “My goal is to create a place…that encourages those in the area to walk the streets, get involved in the economy and ‘own the neighborhood.’

NC Tech Paths’ second RTO will redevelop a vacant furniture factory site, making it a live-work gaming district on the local riverfront.

The press release said the 30,000 to 40,000 square foot space will include a hybrid workspace and space for children and adults in the community to experience learning and collaboration in STEM fields.

In the series: Connecting workers to high-quality, affordable child care to enable them to stay in the region was the next step for this community.

Mebane rash

Mebane Rash is Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief of Education NC.