GREENSBORO, N.C. — UNC Greensboro and professional services firm Deloitte ran a summer institute to help Guilford County teachers prepare students for jobs expected to arrive with JetZero’s new Greensboro operations, an initiative officials say links classroom learning to an anticipated regional hiring boom.
Training teachers to meet industry demand
The eight-day program, held at UNC Greensboro, invited Guilford County educators to learn how to integrate technical and applied skills into their curricula. Leaders from Deloitte said the effort is part of the firm’s wider partnership with JetZero and its Believers Program, which aims to equip teachers to deliver the evolving skill sets employers seek.
“Our goal is to upskill teachers so that students are better prepared for the modern workforce with the Believers Program,”
The training used educational robotics kits from Deloitte and included a dozen project challenges tied to real-world applications such as autonomous driving and machine learning. District officials and program participants emphasized hands-on coding and robotics as tools that can be employed across math, science and computer science classrooms.
Employment numbers and local stakes
Company and education leaders highlighted the scale of the opportunity and the need for a prepared workforce as JetZero establishes local operations. Officials say JetZero will bring more than 14,000 jobs to North Carolina over the next decade, with an average annual salary of $89,000. Deloitte representatives noted that roughly 40% of those positions require only a high school diploma.
UNCG’s vice chancellor for research and engagement described the program as a step toward producing the local talent pipeline those employers will need. Guilford County Schools, the state’s third-largest district, framed the effort as aligning with its broader commitments to workforce readiness.
Addressing persistent skills gaps
Deloitte leaders said the firm continues to see gaps in both STEM and skilled trades, citing demand for electricians and welders alongside technically oriented positions. The company also pointed to broader labor challenges facing employers globally.
- Program: Eight-day summer institute for Guilford County teachers at UNC Greensboro
- Instructional tools: Deloitte educational robotics kits and 12 project-based challenges
- Targeted outcomes: Embed coding, robotics and applied STEM into K–12 coursework to align with JetZero roles
Guilford County officials characterized the initiative as another component of local education strategies to prepare students for high-demand fields. Educators involved said the approach aims to make classroom learning more directly relevant to workplace expectations.
| Projection | Figure |
|---|---|
| Jobs expected from JetZero in NC | 14,000+ |
| Average annual salary | $89,000 |
| Jobs requiring only high school diploma | ~40% |
Program advocates said focusing on teacher upskilling can expand student access to technology-driven coursework earlier in their education, potentially increasing local readiness for both white-collar and skilled-trade roles that the new employer will bring.
Officials also referenced broader workforce forecasts when describing the urgency of such programs. Deloitte representatives warned of extensive unfilled positions globally in coming years and urged that schools, employers and community partners collaborate to close gaps.
As JetZero moves forward—the company broke ground on its Greensboro facility in June—local educators and corporate partners say continued alignment between classroom instruction and industry needs will be necessary to turn promises of regional economic growth into sustainable career pathways for students.
Education Editor, WE NEWS
