SALISBURY, N.C. – Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is celebrating a statewide recognition after receiving the 2026 Innovative Leadership Award from the North Carolina Community College System, in partnership with Okuma America Corporation. Presented as part of the Workforce Development Pinnacle Awards, the Innovative Leadership Award is one of the System’s highest honors, recognizing excellence in innovation, workforce development and student success. The recognition highlights impactful collaborations between community colleges and industry partners across North Carolina’s 58 colleges.
Rowan-Cabarrus and Okuma were recognized at the 2026 N.C. Community Colleges Dinner and Awards Celebration on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Raleigh for the Okuma Machine Tool Academy at Rowan-Cabarrus, a global training facility located in North Carolina and the only Okuma training center of its kind in the world. The Academy bridges traditional education and modern manufacturing through advanced technical training that supports evolving workforce needs.
“This recognition highlights the impact of the Okuma Machine Tool Academy as an innovative model for industry-education partnerships,” said Rowan-Cabarrus Community College President Dr. Carol S. Spalding. “It reflects the collaboration, forward thinking and commitment that define Rowan-Cabarrus and the impact our partnerships have on students, industry and our communities.”
Through this partnership, more than 800 students and industry professionals from leading companies, including SpaceX and Harley-Davidson, have completed high-level training at the Okuma Machine Tool Academy, located at the College’s Dr. Carol Spalding Advanced Technology Center in Kannapolis. Participants travel from across the United States and around the world to take part in intensive, hands-on training programs that span one to two weeks, gaining credentials and expertise in CNC programming, mechanical and electrical maintenance, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
“We were honored to receive this prestigious award and equally honored to have an opportunity to work with the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College team to offer programs to workforce members within the manufacturing industry,” shared Okuma Training Program Manager Natalie Rogers. “Partnering with Rowan-Cabarrus has enabled Okuma to elevate its classroom and hands-on training programs, allowing attendees to level up their skills, maximize impacts for their businesses and advance the manufacturing industry. We couldn’t be more pleased with the partnership.”
The program not only strengthens the global manufacturing workforce but also delivers meaningful local impact, generating consistent economic activity for Cabarrus and Rowan counties through extended stays, hotel use and support of local businesses. By combining world-class training with real-world application, the partnership continues to support regional workforce needs while positioning North Carolina as a leader in advanced manufacturing and industrial innovation.
“By anchoring this international hub in the state, Okuma and Rowan-Cabarrus have not only strengthened the local workforce but positioned North Carolina as a leader in global industrial innovation,” said NCCCS Vice President of Marketing Nathan Hardin.
Rowan-Cabarrus plays a key role in supporting North Carolina’s workforce development efforts through employer-driven training and education programs aligned with industry needs. As one of the state’s largest workforce training providers, the College delivers customized training, industry-recognized credentials and career pathways across high-demand fields. Rowan-Cabarrus and Okuma America Corporation continue to expand access to advanced manufacturing education while strengthening workforce readiness across the region and beyond.
“Workforce development is strongest when education and industry are closely aligned,” said Rowan-Cabarrus Vice President of Workforce and Technology Dr. Zack Hubbard. “Our partnership with Okuma demonstrates how collaboration can create innovative training opportunities that support both student success and business growth.”
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College continues to partner with industry to deliver high-quality, hands-on training that supports today’s workforce needs. To learn more about the Okuma Machine Tool Academy and its industry-leading training programs, visit www.rccc.edu/okuma.