Manufacturing is one of the quieter engines of the Cape Fear economy, and Cape Fear Community College is putting it front and center this month. On Nov. 11, CFCC announced a new partnership with SME, a national manufacturing organization, along with a new Certified Manufacturing Associate program starting in January 2027. The college’s annual manufacturing expo follows on Thursday, Nov. 19, at its North Campus on Blue Clay Road in Castle Hayne. Here is what job seekers, career changers and families in north New Hanover and Pender County should know, and why it matters for the local housing market too.
The Advanced Manufacturing Expo: Nov. 19 at North Campus
According to CFCC, the expo runs Thursday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon in the NB building at CFCC’s North Campus, 4500 Blue Clay Road. Key details:
- Employers: more than 35 local employers are expected. CFCC lists Corning, GE, Protocase, Wilmington Grill and Flow Sciences among them.
- Programs on display: Computer Integrated Machining, Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Technology and Welding.
- Cost: free and open to the public. High school students and job seekers are encouraged to attend.
“Manufacturing continues to grow in southeastern North Carolina, and CFCC is committed to preparing the skilled workforce our local employers need,” CFCC President Jim Morton said in the college’s announcement.
The New SME Partnership
In a Nov. 11 release, CFCC said it has become an SME Manufacturing Imperative partner. The college says the national initiative aims to help at least 75,000 people secure family-sustaining manufacturing careers, with a projected $6 billion economic impact. CFCC will officially launch its participation in the SME Manufacturing Imperative – Workforce Pipeline Coalition following the Nov. 19 expo.
“Our goal is to create more than a pathway into manufacturing,” said Stephen O’Neil, CFCC’s department chair of advanced manufacturing. “We want to build lasting connections between our students, industry partners, and the career opportunities available throughout our region.”
WilmingtonBiz also reported the partnership on Nov. 11.
The Certified Manufacturing Associate Program
The centerpiece of the partnership is a new Certified Manufacturing Associate program beginning in January 2027. According to CFCC, it introduces fundamental manufacturing concepts including technical mathematics, precision measurement, engineering graphics and workplace safety.
CFCC’s continuing education registration page showed the following when we checked on Nov. 12:
- Price: $195, which includes listed college access and technology fees.
- Start date: the online section begins Jan. 5, 2027.
- Prerequisites: none listed.
- Certification: students will be prepared to take the Certified Manufacturing Associate exam provided by Tooling U SME.
Seat counts change, so check the registration page directly if you are interested.
The program builds on CFCC’s SME student chapter and its eight advanced manufacturing programs: Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Mechatronics Engineering Technology, Computer Integrated Machining, Welding Technology, Nuclear Technology, Chemical Technology and Biotechnology.
Why This Matters for North-County Homeowners and Buyers
CFCC’s North Campus sits in Castle Hayne, close to the Blue Clay Road and I-40 corridor where growth has been steady. For people who live in or are considering Castle Hayne, Wrightsboro, Rocky Point or other parts of southern Pender County, local training and employers nearby can mean shorter commutes and more career options without moving.
- Jobs support housing demand. Employers recruiting skilled workers help sustain demand for homes in commuter-friendly areas. Our look at Corning’s Wilmington expansion covers one major example.
- Blue Clay Road is changing. See our post on Blue Clay Road growth for the bigger picture.
- Affordable training. A low-cost certification can help someone move into a better-paying job, which can make homeownership more realistic.
Thinking about living closer to North Campus? Our guides to living in Castle Hayne and living in Rocky Point are good places to start.
FAQ: CFCC Manufacturing Expo and New Program
When and where is the expo?
Thursday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. to noon, NB building, CFCC North Campus, 4500 Blue Clay Road, Castle Hayne.
Does the expo cost anything?
No. CFCC says it is free and open to the public.
When does the Certified Manufacturing Associate program start?
January 2027. The registration page lists a Jan. 5, 2027 start and a $195 price.
Planning a Move Closer to Work?
If a new job or training program has you thinking about where to live, reach out to Aspyre Collective for help comparing neighborhoods in north New Hanover and Pender County.
