Irving, Texas – October 15, 2026 -- Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) has allocated up to $10 million to prepare North Carolina workers for modern manufacturing and industry technician roles. It is the sixth allocation under the company's five-year, $100 million Building the Future Workforce Initiative.
Caterpillar pairs $10 million training fund with a $1 billion North Carolina build-out
The workforce money follows Caterpillar's announcement that it plans to invest approximately $1 billion in North Carolina. The capital will expand manufacturing capacity for its Cat Compact business, which supplies compact equipment to small contractors and growing businesses. The plan includes a new facility in Sanford to increase production of compact track loaders and telehandlers.
Caterpillar's Clayton facility in the state already builds small wheel loaders and supports distribution of backhoe loaders.
Caterpillar employs more than 3,600 people and works with 325 suppliers in the state
Caterpillar cited that footprint, along with a strong dealer network, as the reason for the investment. Gov. Josh Stein said North Carolina has the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast. He added that he looks forward to more economic opportunity coming to Sanford.
Christy Pambianchi, Caterpillar's chief human resources officer, said, "Investing in people is essential to building the workforce advanced manufacturing will need for the future."
Sanford Area Growth Alliance and Central Carolina Community College launch statewide initiative
The two organizations are launching the statewide workforce initiative in Sanford with Caterpillar. The program aims to expand hands-on manufacturing pathways for students and mobilize employer engagement across the region. It also aims to give individuals access to affordable, relevant training that leads to career advancement.
The funding will broaden access to workforce training, define the skills needed for future jobs and connect more people to modern manufacturing careers.
North Carolina follows Indiana, Texas, Illinois and Arkansas in the funding rollout
Those four states received earlier launches under the initiative, which also includes an innovation challenge.