DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. — North Carolina has one of the largest manufacturing workforces in the Southeast, which is why a new Lithuanian furniture company has chosen to open its first U.S. facility in Davidson County.
Davidson-Davie Community College students Logan Walterman and Austin Blackburn practice powering DC and AC every Tuesday.
It’s one of the many basics they learn in their industrial system technology class, where Blackburn focuses on mechanics and Walterman focuses on electricity.
“As a kid, you know, I liked to help my daddy, you know, work on his bikes, and that’s where it all started,” Walterman said.
Both students are getting paid to learn their skills through the Davidson-Davie apprenticeship consortium by working for its newest employer partner, SBA Home.
“In my town, Marksville, where I’m from, and, you know, the idea of like, finally learning how to be an electrician and especially getting to work on robots, like, that really interested me. So I immediately, like, took interest in the program and SBA,” he said.
Blackburn is also in the program
“It’s a two-year degree across four years, since we’re working full-time, like I said, 32 hours at the plant and then eight hours here. So you get yourself a full pay check,” he explained.
The new Lithuanian furniture manufacturer opened its first U.S. facility in Mocksville this August and is estimated to create 250 jobs by the end of 2029.
“We’re thrilled the community needs these students. They need workers in manufacturing, especially now. It’s more important now than ever. With the whole tariff thing going on and companies moving back to America,“ said Davidson-Davie Community Industrial Systems Technology Instructor Billy Willard.
This summer, Walterman and Blackburn became the first two apprentices SBA hired.
“It’s been a big help being able to be here to get hands-on experience without actually having to use the stress in the field,“ Blackburn said.
“It’s actually pretty cool how I’ve got to, like, use stuff in this class at work,” Walterman added.
SBA Home is the 11th employer to join the Davidson-Davie apprenticeship consortium.
CEO Jurgita Radzevice said they have been working to open the facility since 2023, before tariffs were put in place. Now, their new facility allows them to be even more financially competitive with companies that rely on imported goods.
“We will stay much more competitive than others, let’s say, market players who will be importing goods from Europe or other countries. So, for us, it just brings much more competitiveness and will bring much more affordability for American people. So I will say this is a win-win,” Radzevice said.
In addition to strategic partners, the company hosted community days to find workers for its first shift.
They will begin hiring for a second shift this spring.
Sasha Strong
Source link