North Carolina’s Workforce Transformation: New Strategies Unveiled
The state of North Carolina is taking a significant leap forward in workforce development with the release of a comprehensive report by Governor Josh Stein’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships. The report outlines 30 strategies aimed at enhancing the state’s workforce and increasing access to lucrative employment opportunities. These initiatives are designed to support the 11 workforce goals previously recommended by the Council in June.
Governor Stein emphasized the importance of leveraging the state’s strengths to foster job creation and empower individuals with necessary skills: “North Carolina needs to build upon our strengths, create jobs, connect more people to opportunity, and empower students with the skills they need.” He expressed gratitude to the Council for their strategic efforts and reiterated his commitment to collaborating with the General Assembly and other partners.
Lee Lilley, N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary, praised the collaborative efforts of North Carolinians in crafting effective strategies. He stated, “North Carolina is America’s top state for business because of our workforce, and we must lead with innovation to keep it that way.”
Senator Eddie Settle highlighted the need to address workforce development across all regions of the state. “To support our dynamic economy, we must focus on meeting the workforce development needs of businesses, workers, and students in every corner of North Carolina,” he said, noting the practical solutions offered by the Council’s strategies.
Dr. Jeff Cox, president of the N.C. Community College System, underlined the pivotal role of community colleges in implementing the Council’s strategies. “North Carolina’s 58 outstanding community colleges will provide leadership to help carry out most of the strategies contained in this new report,” he stated.
The Council’s strategies focus on several key areas, including increasing credential and degree attainment, expanding work-based learning opportunities, and strengthening partnerships between employers and the workforce system. They also emphasize sector-based strategies in critical industries and aim to boost participation in programs that facilitate access to education and career opportunities.
Some notable strategies include:
- Expanding funding and partnerships to assist learners with essential needs such as child care and transportation, particularly in rural areas and for marginalized groups.
- Enhancing awareness and participation in financial aid programs like Workforce Pell and NC College Connect to support education costs in high-demand fields.
- Leveraging existing business councils to identify barriers to apprenticeships and work-based learning, and recommending incentives for these opportunities.
- Establishing the Apprenticeship County Match Fund to encourage county support for registered apprenticeships.
- Developing an AI curriculum in collaboration with the North Carolina AI Leadership Council to promote AI fluency.
- Conducting coordinated training across educational and community organizations to better guide students in their career paths.
The advisory body, established under Executive Order No. 11 and co-chaired by key state officials, continues to receive support from the N.C. Department of Commerce and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education. The Council plans to monitor the progress of these strategies with annual reports scheduled for the coming years.
Since taking office, Governor Stein has announced projects amounting to over $23 billion in new capital investment, promising more than 34,000 new jobs and marking 2025 as a record year for job commitments.
Read the Council’s report here.
Click here for the full list of members of the Council.
Read More Here
