While many view Labor Day simply as the unofficial end of summer or an opportunity for a three-day weekend, the holiday’s significance should not be lost on the average citizen. The U.S. Department of Labor describes Labor Day as “an annual celebration of American workers social and economic achievements.”

Although Labor Day was adopted as a federal holiday in 1894, several states and cities that were manufacturing centers had celebrated laborers for years. As America’s economy shifted from agriculture to manufacturing, recognition of laborers and labor unions became more prominent.

Early local celebrations included parades, and particularly in North Carolina, Labor Day was synonymous with barbecue. Newspaper accounts from the early 20th century frequently mentioned community events offering free barbecue and Brunswick stew.

Today, Labor Day is widely regarded as a celebration of all workers, not just laborers. However, the importance of manufacturing in North Carolina cannot be understated. According to the National Association of Manufacturing, about 448,000 North Carolinians work in the manufacturing sector, making up 10.16 percent of the workforce.

Manufacturers account for 17.17% of the total output in North Carolina, and career opportunities are on the rise. Top manufacturing sectors for job growth include pharmaceutical and medicine; computer and peripheral equipment; navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control equipment; and motor vehicle manufacturing.

As robust as North Carolina’s economy and workforce are, we face a shortfall of residents withthe appropriate postsecondary credentials for jobs created across the state. According to MyFutureNC, North Carolina requires two million residents with high-quality credentials or postsecondary degrees by 2030 to meet future workforce needs.

As of 2021, the state was off pace to meet this goal, with an anticipated shortfall of approximately 31,000 individuals at the time.

I should clarify that “postsecondary” doesn’t necessarily mean a bachelor’s degree. It could mean a two-year degree from one of North Carolina’s 58 distinguished community colleges that offer programs directly aligned with the needs of local employers. It could also mean a valued certificate program in diverse fields such as IT, skilled trades, healthcare, data analytics and human resources.

The key takeaway is that a high school diploma or GED is insufficient for many future jobs. So, how can we support workers in our state today and work to meet North Carolina’s future workforce needs? I propose the following.

—Engage K-12 students sooner

In many countries, students begin apprenticeships and vocational training much earlier than we do in the United States. We could adopt a similar model, especially for students who have already identified a preferred career field. With the most significant obstacle to higher education being cost, we should do more to facilitate awareness of and applications for scholarships and federal aid (e.g., encourage more families to fill out the FAFSA application).

—Provide proper workplace training

Gone are the days when workers learned simple tasks and did the same thing daily for an entire career. Advances in robotics, manufacturing, process improvement and artificial intelligence necessitate a lifelong commitment to learning. Employers should provide relevant training themselves and provide scholarships and tuition reimbursement for their employees’ professional development through accredited organizations.

—Promote career advancement

Employers should encourage and support viable career pathways, showing their employees how to get promoted and earn more income for themselves and their families. Even in traditional blue-collar environments, new certificate and degree programs in leading skill areas like supply chain management, project management and marketing can help advance one’s career.

Doing these things will positively contribute to a strong labor force in North Carolina now and in the future, and will continue to attract major employers to our state.

This Labor Day, perhaps when you’re enjoying your barbecue, take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate our state’s workers.

—Ben Coulter, Ed.D., is Southeast Regional Director for Western Governors University and leads WGU North Carolina, an accredited online nonprofit university with more than 7,800 graduates in the state.