Labor and Job Training.

An Excellent Labor Environment.

In Washington County, wages and other worker-related costs are
well below the national average. In fact, unemployment insurance
and workers’ compensation rates are among the lowest in the nation.
Productivity, on the other hand, exceeds the national average —
North Carolinians have long been known for their strong work ethic,
and Washington County workers are no exception.
A pro-business environment helps keep labor-related issues to a
minimum. North Carolina is a right-to-work state, with one of the
lowest unionization rates in the country.
Employers enjoy a wide range of recruitment services at no cost
from the North Carolina Employment Security Commission, the
state’s largest employment resource. The Washington County JobLink
Career Center provides recruitment services locally, and has interface
capabilities with the Employment Security Commission.

America’s Best Job Training Program.

North Carolina pioneered customized job training for new and
expanding businesses more than 40 years. Today, this state-sponsored
program is considered the best of its kind.

The 58-campus North Carolina Community College System is
the delivery vehicle for state-funded training initiatives and offers a
comprehensive array of training resources.
Representatives from nearby Beaufort Community College
and Martin Community College work with Washington County
companies to identify training requirements and design customized
curricula to meet employers’ specific training needs.
In most cases training is free to qualifying businesses, and can
be taught on the college campus or at the employer’s workplace.

East Carolina University.

East Carolina University in nearby Greenville is a valuable
education and training resource for Washington County. ECU
currently offers more than 50 undergraduate and masters degree
programs online to Washington County residents.
The university has partnered with the Windows on the World
Technology Center in Roper to provide general business classes as
well as a state-of-the-art computer learning center where county
residents can work on their degrees remotely via a high speed video
connection to the school’s main campus.