OPT-IN Kickoff Event Unites Students, Employers, and Partners Around Workforce Opportunity
OPT-IN Initiative Kickoff 2025
Burke County, NC – March 20, 2025 – The OPT-IN (Opportunity Internship) initiative officially kicked off its
fourth-year last night with an event that brought together students, educators, employers, and
community partners — all united around one mission: connecting young talent with real-world
career opportunities right here in Burke County.
Held at the Foothills Higher Education Center, the kickoff showcased the power of partnership
and hands-on learning. More than a dozen local employers were on-site to help students
explore in-demand career paths in industries like skilled trades, manufacturing, healthcare, and
more. Interactive booths and one-on-one conversations gave attendees a deeper
understanding of the opportunities available to them — and how to take the next step.
Fifteen employers participated in the event, including:
Foothills Broadband, Chaddock Furniture, Burke County Chamber of Commerce, The Enola
Group, Burke Literacy Council, TOSS, Sawyer Landscaping, J. Iverson Riddle Developmental
Center, Blue Ridge Community Action, Material Return, Chartwells, Molded Fiber Glass, UNC
Health Blue Ridge, Griffin Contractors, and Shuping Construction.
OPT-IN is powered by a collaborative network of partners dedicated to building a stronger, more
connected workforce. The initiative is supported by Burke Development, Inc. (BDI), Work in
Burke, NCWorks, Western Piedmont Community College, and The Industrial Commons.
The kickoff event is just the beginning. Throughout the program this summer, OPT-IN will
continue offering job-shadowing experiences, One on One Mentorship, employer connections,
training opportunities, and more — all designed to help students and jobseekers “OPT-IN” to
their future.
For more information about the OPT-IN initiative and upcoming events, visit
https://www.workinburke.com/opt-in
About Development Burke, Inc.
Burke Development, Inc. (BDI) is a nonprofit organization supported by private and public funding that is charged with accelerating economic growth in Burke County. BDI works with industry leaders, site selection consultants, government agencies and other entities to facilitate expansion strategies for existing businesses and recruit target industries to Burke County. For more information about BDI, visit www.BurkeDevInc.com.
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Contact:
Alan Wood, President and CEO, Burke Development Inc.
Tel: 828-764-1818
Email: alan@burkedevinc.com