About Ready. Set. Hired.

Building the Manufacturing Workforce of Tomorrow

Ready. Set. Hired. is a workforce initiative developed by Midlands Technical College to connect students with high-demand manufacturing careers across the Midlands region.

Launched in Fall 2025, the program was inspired by a visit to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and the nationally recognized North Carolina Manufacturing Institute, known for successfully connecting workforce-ready students with manufacturing employers to strengthen local talent pipelines.

Through collaboration with regional industry partners, Ready. Set. Hired. provides students with industry-relevant training, nationally recognized certifications, and direct access to employment opportunities with local manufacturers.

At the same time, employer partners gain access to a pipeline of trained and certified candidates prepared to enter today’s advanced manufacturing workforce.

The initiative strategically connects existing educational, workforce, and community resources across Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield counties to help close the gap between job seekers and manufacturing employers.