Deloitte and JetZero's Billion-Dollar Bet on Building a Future Workforce

GREENSBORO, NC – June 15, 2026 – As the first shovels of dirt turned today for JetZero's massive new manufacturing and assembly factory, the headline was not just about the futuristic blended-wing aircraft to be built here. The real story is a calculated, high-stakes investment in the people who will build them. In a move that redefines corporate-community partnership, aerospace innovator JetZero is collaborating with consulting giant Deloitte to launch a sophisticated STEM education initiative aimed directly at the local student population, years before the factory's 14,500 jobs are even fully posted.

This isn't a simple philanthropic gesture. It's a strategic imperative. Deloitte, which is simultaneously helping design the facility's advanced smart manufacturing systems, is expanding its "Believers" workforce development program to Guilford County. The goal is to create a direct, sustainable talent pipeline from local classrooms to the high-tech factory floor. The collaboration represents a powerful new model for industrial development, where building the workforce is as critical as building the facility itself, tackling a region's skills gap head-on to secure a long-term return on investment.

A Symbiotic Strategy for Growth

The partnership between Deloitte and JetZero is a masterclass in strategic alignment. JetZero needs a highly skilled workforce to operate what promises to be one of the most advanced aerospace manufacturing facilities in the world. Deloitte, a firm whose business is advising clients on complex challenges, gets to implement its purpose-driven philosophy in a tangible, measurable way—while also embedding itself deeply within a key client's ecosystem.

"At JetZero, we know that building the future of aerospace starts in today's classrooms," said Tom O'Leary, CEO and co-founder of JetZero. His statement underscores the long-term vision required for such a monumental project. "Our Greensboro facility will create more than 14,500 jobs, but to keep the pipeline full, we need to invest in the next generation."

This investment goes far beyond a press release and a check. The Believers program is a comprehensive, year-long effort targeting around 5,000 students and educators across Guilford County Schools. It brings together a coalition of local power players, including the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) and the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, to ensure the curriculum is both rigorous and relevant. The program, kicking off this summer with an intensive educator workshop, will focus on the exact skills JetZero will need: hands-on robotics, AI, engineering, and computer science. This isn't just about fostering an interest in STEM; it's about cultivating the specific competencies required for the jobs of tomorrow that will be located just miles from these students' homes.

Confronting a Widening Skills Chasm

For Greensboro and the surrounding Piedmont Triad, this initiative arrives at a critical juncture. The region is a historic manufacturing hub, but it faces the dual challenges of an aging workforce and a rapidly evolving technological landscape. According to recent data from myFutureNC, manufacturing already accounts for over 11% of all jobs in Guilford County. However, local business surveys paint a concerning picture. One 2025 report from Action Greensboro revealed that over 60% of area firms struggle to find qualified candidates, with nearly 70% citing a lack of logical and analytical thinking skills in the applicant pool.

With a significant portion of the current skilled trades workforce nearing retirement by 2030, the gap between the jobs available and the skills of the local population is set to widen into a chasm. JetZero's arrival, while a massive economic boon, would have exacerbated this problem without a proactive solution. The Believers program is that solution, designed to bridge the gap by providing targeted training that aligns directly with industry needs.

"When industry, higher education and public schools come together around a shared vision, we create opportunities that can transform lives," noted Dr. Whitney Oakley, superintendent of Guilford County Schools. Her endorsement highlights the crucial role of public-private partnerships in modern economic development. By investing in educators and exposing students to emerging technologies, the collaboration aims to build a resilient local economy from the ground up.

Beyond Philanthropy: An Integrated Business Model

What makes Deloitte's involvement particularly noteworthy is its deeply integrated nature, moving far beyond traditional corporate social responsibility. The firm isn't just a facilitator; it's an active participant. The robotics kits used in the Believers curriculum are manufactured, in part, at the Smart Factory by Deloitte @ Wichita, the firm's own immersive proving ground for next-generation manufacturing. This demonstrates a unique, vertically integrated approach to social impact, leveraging the company's core competencies to support its purpose-driven initiatives.

This model reframes corporate investment. It's not about charity; it's about creating shared value. By building a skilled workforce, Deloitte ensures the long-term success of its client, JetZero. By strengthening the local community, it enhances the business environment for all. And by proving the efficacy of this model, it creates a replicable blueprint for other regions grappling with industrial transition.

"Extending the Believers program to Greensboro means local students will have real paths into the kinds of careers being built in their own backyard," explained Brian Umbenhauer, the program's founder and a principal at Deloitte. "As we help JetZero deliver its new smart manufacturing facility, we're also invested in opening doors for the next generation of local STEM talent." His vision is clear and compelling: the ultimate metric of success will be seeing the first graduates of the Believers program walk through the doors of the JetZero factory, ready to launch their careers.

This forward-thinking strategy ensures that the economic benefits of JetZero's multi-billion-dollar investment are captured locally, preventing a scenario where a company must import talent while the surrounding community is left behind. It’s a pragmatic, long-term play that recognizes the most valuable asset in any innovative enterprise is not its technology, but its people.