Caterpillar allocates up to $10 million to North Carolina workforce training

Caterpillar said on October 15, 2026 that it is expanding its workforce commitment to North Carolina with an allocation of up to $10 million. The funding is the most recent investment under its Building the Future Workforce Initiative, which the company said includes launches in Indiana, Texas, Illinois and Arkansas, as well as an innovation challenge.

Caterpillar said the funding aims to prepare current and future workers for jobs in modern manufacturing and industry technician roles. Christy Pambianchi, the company's chief human resources officer, said investing in people is essential to building the workforce that advanced manufacturing needs.

Caterpillar said it employs more than 3,600 people in North Carolina and works with 325 suppliers across the state. The company has also announced plans to invest approximately $1 billion in North Carolina to expand manufacturing capacity for its Cat Compact business, including a new facility in Sanford to increase production of compact track loaders and telehandlers.

Caterpillar is working with Central Carolina Community College and the Sanford Area Growth Alliance on the initiative. The company said the program aims to expand hands-on manufacturing pathways for students and give individuals access to affordable, relevant training. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein thanked Caterpillar for its long-standing partnership and said he looked forward to more economic opportunity coming to Sanford.