Surry-Yadkin Works’ FLEET center at Altec in Mount Airy has officially opened.
On January 31, 2025, Surry-Yadkin Works and Altec officially opened the Surry-Yadkin Works FLEET center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Altec’s Mount Airy operations facility. The event marked a major milestone in workforce development for Surry and Yadkin Counties, as well as the state of North Carolina.
Attendees included a distinguished group of government officials, both local and state, including U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx and North Carolina State Superintendent Mo Green. Also in attendance were representatives from Altec, Surry-Yadkin Works, all four school systems, Surry Community College, the Golden Leaf Foundation, business partners who have supported the initiative, and students selected for the inaugural FLEET cohort.
The ceremony featured remarks from Crystal Folger-Hawks, Executive Director of Surry-Yadkin Works; Kara Parsons, Director of FLEET; Governor of North Carolina, Josh Stein; U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx; Maurice “Mo” Green, North Carolina State Superintendent; Ben Griffin of Altec; Dr. Travis Reeves, Superintendent of Surry County Schools; Dr. David Shockley, President of Surry Community College; and students from the program, who shared their excitement and anticipation for the opportunities ahead.
“The launch of the FLEET program represents a transformative opportunity for students in Surry and Yadkin Counties,” said Crystal Folger-Hawks. “We are grateful for the support from Altec and the Golden LEAF Foundation, which allows us to provide hands-on training that not only benefits our students but strengthens our local economy.”
Administered through Surry-Yadkin Works—the first community-based internship program in North Carolina spanning a two-county region—FLEET is the very first school program in North Carolina to be established inside a manufacturing company, connecting students with real-world manufacturing experience while they continue their education. Through a partnership between Elkin City Schools, Mount Airy City Schools, Surry County Schools, Yadkin County Schools, and Surry Community College, the program creates a direct pathway for students to enter high-demand careers.
With manufacturing positions in Surry and Yadkin Counties projected to grow by 7% between 2022 and 2027, the program addresses both a skills gap and a workforce shortage, particularly as more than 2,000 local manufacturing jobs are at risk due to impending retirements. The average salary for manufacturing jobs in the region stands at $59,575, significantly higher than the median household income of $51,114.50, highlighting the potential of these careers to improve economic mobility for local families.
The FLEET program also aims to engage Opportunity Youth who may be disconnected from traditional school settings, face attendance challenges, and need support in linking education to their future career goals. A key goal of the FLEET program is to prevent students from becoming part of the Opportunity Youth demographic—young people aged 16 to 24 who are neither in school nor employed. With 16% of Surry County youth and 14.6% of Yadkin County youth classified in this category, FLEET provides a crucial bridge between education and employment, offering an alternative path to success.
As part of the program, selected students will gain hands-on training at Altec, a global leader in the manufacturing of equipment for industries such as electric utilities, telecommunications, and tree care. The partnership ensures that students receive not only classroom instruction but also real-world experience that prepares them for sustainable, high-paying careers.