Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory (right) talks with Grant Godwin, vice president and general manager for MMC during his jobs listening tour.

McCrory visits Sparta on jobs tour

Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory visited Sparta last Thursday as part of his "jobs listening tour."

McCrory visited Martin Marietta Composites, where he talked to company officials and local government representatives during his one-and-a-half-hour visit.

McCrory noted during his visit, "If government continues to be the largest employer, we're hurting. We can't survive on the service industry."

Commission Chair Ken Richardson noted to McCrory that one problem that the county is facing is the loss of our young people.

McCrory stated, "You have to keep your talent here...talent is what you use to recruit industry."

He later said that education in trades is very beneficial and that youths need to understand that they can make a living and raise their families here if they have the appropriate skills.

"Skills jobs are in demand and well respected," he said.

He indicated that people need to be directed toward their individual aptitude.

McCrory said he would reward colleges and universities which graduated students to meet the labor needs in their respective areas, not based on the number of students enrolled. He said schools should teach practical skills that can be applied to the job market. He noted that Wilkes Community College, which works with the Northwest Cluster Development Initiative, understands that and offers training needed by local employers. "I'm not sure the state legislature rewards this," he said.

Grant Godwin, vice president and general manager for MMC, took McCrory on a tour of the plant, noting that the company is working to develop new products, including a lighter-weight 53-foot trailer that can be competitive with the aluminum trailers currently on the road and building panels that replace standard concrete construction in basement walls. The company also produces blast panels for the military, bridge decks, matting used for oil exploration and other uses and numerous other composite components.

 

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