Congressman G.K. Butterfield held a community forum called “We Can’t Wait…for Jobs!” at Edgecombe Community College on April 13.

The forum focused on the importance of expanding job training programs to meet area workforce needs.

Forum participants included (l-r) Reuben Blackwell, president/CEO of OIC in Rocky Mount; Congressman Butterfield; Deborah Lamm, president of Edgecombe Community College; Kennon Briggs, executive vice president and chief of staff, NC Community College System; and Michael Williams, director of the Turning Point Workforce Development Board.

“If we want to see significant improvements in the unemployment rate and remain competitive in our global economy, we must expand resources that will help the unemployed upgrade their skills or transition to new career fields,” Butterfield said.