Union County is growing, and fast. With a population now estimated at over 263,000, our community continues to attract families, businesses, and opportunity. But alongside that growth comes a critical challenge: ensuring our workforce is prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
According to the latest data from myFutureNC, 60.9% of Union County residents ages 25–44 have a degree or credential beyond high school. While that’s strong, we still need over 21,000 more individuals with credentials of value to meet the state’s 2030 attainment goal.
At the same time, employers are facing a shortage of skilled workers in high-demand fields.
The Growing Disconnect
Union County’s economy is anchored by industries like:
- • Manufacturing (16.6% of jobs)
- • Construction (13.4%)
- • Retail and service sectors
And regionally, some of the fastest-growing, highest-paying careers include:
- • Nurse Practitioners
- • Physician Assistants
- • Medical & Health Services Managers
Yet, the data reveals key gaps:
- • Digital technology and management jobs have more openings than qualified candidates
- • Postsecondary completion rates (68%) fall short of the state goal (80%)
- • FAFSA completion (62%) lags behind the 80% target
Even more telling: a recent national report highlights an “existential alarm bell” in manufacturing and skilled trades, where job openings far outpace available talent. You can read more in this recent article on workforce shortages.
Targeting the Right Career Pathways
Through collaboration with educators, employers, and community leaders, Our Future in UNiSON has identified five priority career areas for Union and Anson counties:
- • Healthcare
- • Business & Finance
- • Manufacturing
- • Information Technology (IT)
- • Construction
These sectors represent not just job availability, but opportunity for sustainable, family-supporting wages.
In fact, while 64% of Union County adults earn a family-sustaining wage, that still falls short of the state goal, reinforcing the importance of aligning education with real workforce needs.
How the Chamber is Taking Action
The Union County Chamber is deeply committed to strengthening the workforce pipeline, and we’re not doing it alone.
Partnership with Our Future in UNiSON
We are proud to support this cross-sector initiative that aligns education, business, and community strategies to increase credential attainment and career readiness.
Director of Communications and Special Projects Jessica Rielly has been an active member of the collaborative since 2024. She is currently part of a cohort attending CivicLab’s Building Rural Community Systems. The multi-year training helps attendees develop and implement “plans to strengthen talent development ecosystems so that rural learners have paths to good jobs in their communities.”
Middle School Speakers Bureau
Career awareness starts early. Through our Speakers Bureau, local professionals connect directly with middle school students, introducing them to in-demand careers before they make critical academic decisions.
Make It in Union County
This initiative showcases the real, rewarding careers in manufacturing available here in Union County, helping shift perceptions and inspire the next generation.
Union County Job Fair – April 28
We’re also connecting talent to opportunity in real time. Our upcoming Job Fair provides a direct pipeline between employers and job seekers across key industries. The Job Fair is scheduled for April 28, 2026 from 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM at the Union County Agricultural Center.
If you are interested in securing a booth at the Job Fair, reach out to Carla Graham at 704-993-2450.
Through initiatives like UNiSON and the Chamber’s workforce programs, we’re building a model for how communities can proactively shape their economic future.
Last modified: April 8, 2026
