Published on: Tuesday, Nov 22, 2005

FTCC graduate job rate increases

By Don Worthington
Staff writer

The employment rate for graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College has reached a five-year high. Ninety-six percent of the college's 2005 graduates seeking employment got jobs within four months, according to an FTCC survey."This shows that students' investments have a great return," said FTCC President Larry Norris.

Survey results were presented to the college's board of trustees Monday. The employment rate was 1 percent higher than last year. The average salary for graduates was $31,493, topping $30,000 for the second straight year.

Catherine Barkley, coordinator of job placement and cooperative education at FTCC, said high-paying overseas contracting jobs are responsible for the increase in average salary. Barkley said jobs in the college's health-related curriculums are normally the top-paying jobs. This year graduates in business administration/operations management were the highest paid. Those students study logistics, inventory management, distribution - skills in demand by overseas contractors.

In 2005, there were 996 graduates, according to the college. About 200 continued their education. Of the 726 graduates seeking employment, 699 got jobs. Sixty-five percent of the graduates are employed in Cumberland County. The leading employers are Cape Fear Valley Health System, the Department of Defense and the Cumberland County school system.

According to the survey, 99.8 percent of the students accomplished their goals while at FTCC. Employers were 100 percent satisfied with FTCC graduates from the class of 2004, according to the survey. The employee results are for 2004 because the college gives them one year to evaluate their employees.

In other action, the board of trustees:

Approved asking the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners for $1 million in capital improvement funds.
The money would be split between paving the Bulla parking lot and replacing the mechanical systems at Lafayette Hall.
Elected Charles J. Harrell as vice chairman, a position that had been open. Gary Ciccone was named Finance Committee chairman, replacing Harrell.

Staff writer Don Worthington can be reached at worthingtond@fayettevillenc.com or 486-3511.