Posted on the WLOS News 13 website on January 7, 2026.
North Carolina is getting national recognition after Site Selection Magazine ranked it as the number one state in workforce development. The magazine attributes much of the state's accomplishments to the state's community college system.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College prides itself on preparing students for the workforce.
The president of A-B Tech says it's all about the school's long-term dedication to its students.
"Economic growth depends on careers, not just jobs, and that's what we're talking about here at A-B Tech, preparing our students for careers and how they can progress through, you know, a job all the way into a career and make that, you know, a life's calling," said A-B Tech president John Gossett.
Among the rest of the rankings are Utah in second, Illinois in third, and South Carolina ranking 25th.
This makes the third time in the last four years that North Carolina has ranked number one among all states in workforce growth.