SANFORD - Margaret Roberton has returned home to Central Carolina Community College as Vice President of Workforce Development. Roberton, who once served as CCCC Chatham Continuing Education Director, most recently has served as Associate Vice President of Workforce Continuing Education with the N.C. Community College System (NCCCS).

"I enjoyed my time at the NCCCS and deeply appreciated the opportunity to be engaged at that level in policy, strategy, and programs impacting the state. That being said, I have always known there would be a time when I wanted to return to the college campus and engage at a deeper local level to implement the great ideas and concepts supporting workforce," said Roberton, whose professional experience includes work at Wake Tech Community College and Wayne Community College.

"I began my North Carolina community college career at CCCC and when Dr. (Lisa) Chapman left the System Office to return to the college as the President, it became very intriguing to consider if this was the correct time. The service area of CCCC -- Chatham, Harnett, and Lee counties -- are so diverse and the location within the state provides space to consider regional relationships that respond to workforce needs in new and meaningful ways. The CCCC position is an ideal opportunity to return to a college that has a demonstrated desire to consider new initiatives and processes to address regional workforce needs."

Dr. Chapman noted of Roberton: "We are very pleased to have Margaret joining the college as our Vice President of Workforce Development. VP Roberton worked at the college, serving Chatham County operations several years ago, so this is somewhat of a homecoming for her. She brings a wealth of workforce development experience that includes industry employment, serving at a few of our sister community colleges, and most recently engaged in statewide efforts at the North Carolina Community College System Office as the Associate Vice President of Workforce Continuing Education.

"That state-level experience coupled with a deep appreciation for how our colleges work allows Margaret to bring a very unique experience and set of skills to our college family just when our local and regional workforce demands are rapidly evolving and expanding. The college has been doing exceptional work over the last several years, improving access and student success, and Margaret's leadership will allow us to further connect our successes with our growing community needs."

Roberton sees her initial role as learning about the wide array of resources within CCCC and to engage with the various economic development and industry sector groups. "I want to be positioned to sit in meetings with industry and economic development decision makers and provide a response to supporting workforce that leverages the many strengths of the college," she said.

"The college plays a key role in economic development and whether we are building pathway opportunities to impact future employees, upskilling incumbent workers or providing connections to resources, we should be engaged in those conversations supporting the economic growth of the region. One of my roles will be to work with the various members of the CCCC team to develop opportunities that address the spectrum of workforce needs and leverage all of our resources."

Roberton notes that workforce development is the cornerstone of what community colleges provide -- whether it be literacy programs, short-term workforce credentials, customized training, small business centers, technical degrees or transfer pathways. "The North Carolina community colleges are uniquely positioned to respond to local and regional needs for talent development that supports both the members of our communities as well as our employers," said Roberton.

"North Carolina community colleges are part of the equation when you consider economic mobility and access to advancement. At CCCC, workforce development is part of all conversations from how we respond to employers, advise students, create learning opportunities, and develop equitable paths to success," said Roberton. "Workforce Development may be in my title, but it is the work of all the CCCC members, my goal is to help facilitate those activities for the best outcomes."

Roberton will be actively reaching out through various avenues in the next several months to get to know the Central Carolina business community. "I'm interested in their thoughts on how we can partner to strengthen opportunities and create access to great jobs for the members of our community," said Roberton. "If anyone in the business community has a need or a question, please reach out to me on how CCCC can support your needs for workforce development for both new employee pipelines and upskilling current staff."

Roberton and her husband, James, have a 15-year-old son, James Kent, who will be joining the CCCC family as a Career & College Promise student this fall. They live in Chatham County.

To learn more about Central Carolina Community College and its programs, visit www.cccc.edu.