State of the Tech Industry
NC TECH recently released the 2025 State of the Technology Industry Report. The STIR highlights the tech industry across North Carolina and how the state ranks nationally on a variety of data points. A few highlights:
- North Carolina remained the #1 state for Percentage of Women in the Technology Industry with women accounting for almost 38 percent of the workforce.
- The state ranked 1st in effective business tax rates and 2nd in overall business climate.
- The state saw an increase in tech occupations of almost 31 percent in the last five years, ranking as the 4th fastest in the country.
- The state had the 5th highest level of research and development at universities in science and technology fields.
- North Carolina was the #8 state in total tech industry employment growth from 2018-2023.
- North Carolina ranked 12th in venture capital funding per gross state product.
Visit the NC STIR website for all the data, a Key Findings summary, and a link to download the full report.
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Work Culture Focus
Yields Top Rankings
Employee engagement and retention continue to grow in importance. MetLife's heavy emphasis on workplace culture and employee engagement has paid off as the company earned several notable recognitions in the past several months:
100 Best Companies to Work For® by Fortune MetLife was named to this prestigious list in both 2023 and 2024. The rankings are based on employee feedback and company efforts to create an inclusive, supportive, and innovative workplace. In 2024, 86% of MetLife employees considered it a great place to work, compared to 57% at a typical U.S. company.
Fortune World's 25 Best WorkplacesTM In November 2024, MetLife was ranked among the top 25 companies globally for its workplace culture. This recognition is based on survey responses from millions of workers worldwide and reflects MetLife's commitment to fostering inclusivity and employee well-being across multiple countries.
Great Place to Work CertifiedTM MetLife has been certified as a Great Place to Work in multiple countries, including the U.S. This certification is based on employee surveys that evaluate trust, pride, and camaraderie within the organization.
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Allyship is a powerful tool for fostering inclusivity in our communities and workplaces. It involves actively supporting and amplifying oices of different groups, while continuously educating oneself on issues impacting others. Active allies work to challenge stereotypes, listen empathetically, and take meaningful actions to create more equitable environments.
To learn more about becoming an effective ally, The Diversity Movement offers a comprehensive guide titled "How to Be an Active Ally," which provides valuable insights and practical steps for those looking to make a positive impact.
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Innovative Workforce Development | |
QuantumBloom empowers early-career professionals in STEM by providing essential leadership skills, mentorship, and a supportive community. The program addresses industry-wide challenges that can hinder career progression, fostering inclusive cultures that enhance organizational engagement, productivity, and retention. By equipping individuals with the tools to thrive, QuantumBloom helps create a more equitable STEM industry where all talented professionals can flourish. | |
Code the Dream bridges the gap in tech opportunities by providing free, intensive coding training to individuals. Their unique approach combines education with real-world project experience, helping students from diverse backgrounds transition into successful tech careers. By doing so, Code the Dream promotes a more inclusive tech industry and empowers individuals to thrive. | | |
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MetLife's Global Technology Hub in Cary, NC employs more than 2,600 individuals, all working in inviting, collaborative spaces to unite technology, operations, and customer service team members who are driving digital transformation for the organization.
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The Engaging the Future: Tech Workplace Summit will explore the complexities of today's workplace, focusing on strategies to create environments where employees feel valued, motivated, and inspired. Through discussions of best practices and real-life success stories, attendees will learn how to drive employee satisfaction, productivity, and continuous improvement. The summit will be followed by a reception to continue conversations and network.
3/26/25 All Day
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Donald Thompson, CEO of The Diversity Movement, will join MetLife's Tamar Shapiro for an exclusive discussion (open to NC TECH members) on the roles allies play in fostering inclusivity. They will explore the practice of allyship as a key component in creating a more equitable workplace. They will offer insights into how effective allyship can amplify marginalized voices, challenge biases, and drive meaningful organizational change.
4/8/25 @ 8:30 AM
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NC TECH is collaborating with MetLife to host Brews + Bytes + Insights: Network with Innovation Pros. The event will include a brief program featuring Venkata Natarajan, CIO and head of U.S. Technology, and Sonali Niswander, head of Global Enterprise Platforms. Attendees will then experience live demos of innovative solutions followed by networking and opportunities to meet the speakers. Registration is open to practicing tech professionals.
4/29/25 @ 4 PM
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Innovation as a Culture
Inside MetLife's Innovation Journey with Bill Pappas
MetLife's innovative approach to digital transformation is reshaping the insurance industry. As Bill Pappas, Head of Global Technology and Operations, emphasizes in a recent Forbes article, "We started by ensuring that innovation is not just a function; it is a culture."
Rather than adopting tech for its own sake, MetLife aligns technological advancements with operations, business impact, and customer needs. Their strategy includes hosting annual hackathons and convening industry leaders at their Cary, NC technology center to discuss AI's impact on business and workforce development.
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Center for Technology Workforce Innovation | | | | |
