Raleigh, N.C. has become the epicenter of a significant initiative aimed at tackling workforce reentry challenges for people with past justice system involvement. A strategic alliance in the Piedmont Triad has been awarded a $125,000 grant to fuel this innovative effort, as revealed by Governor Roy Cooper.
The grant, bestowed upon the Piedmont Triad Regional Workforce Development Board’s Reentry Empowerment and Workforce Integration (REWI) Initiative, is set to enhance career navigation services in the region for individuals with justice involvement. It also aims to educate employers on the benefits of inclusive hiring. This grant is part of a two-year project funded by the NCWorks Local Innovation Fund, which aligns with Governor Cooper’s NC Job Ready initiative dedicated to preparing North Carolina’s workforce for current and future opportunities.
Governor Cooper’s Vision for Workforce Reentry
Governor Cooper emphasized the importance of supporting individuals who have served their sentences. “Helping people who have completed their sentences is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do,” he stated. The initiative promises support for North Carolinians, better workforce resources for businesses, and safer communities.
The REWI initiative will focus on training staff at NCWorks Career Centers and other community organizations to better collaborate on meeting the needs of those facing educational and employment barriers due to criminal records. It will foster cooperation among partners, share best practices, and actively engage with local employers. This effort is in line with North Carolina’s “Reentry2030” goals, as outlined in Executive Order No. 303 issued by Governor Cooper.
Regional Coverage and Collaborative Partners
The Piedmont Triad Regional WDB operates across Forsyth, Davie, Surry, Stokes, Rockingham, Yadkin, Caswell, Davidson, Alamance, and Randolph counties. Collaboration for the REWI initiative will involve local workforce boards, NCWorks Career Centers, and reentry councils in Alamance and Forsyth counties.
The Local Innovation Fund, managed by the NCWorks Commission and administered by the Division of Workforce Solutions within the N.C. Department of Commerce, underpins this initiative.
Statewide Impact and Support
Machelle Baker Sanders, N.C. Commerce Secretary and NCWorks Commission member, remarked on the initiative’s potential: “When we empower people who have had justice system involvement to reenter the workforce, we contribute to building a state that is ‘First in Talent.’” This grant is poised to join other transformative workforce programs across North Carolina.
The NC Job Ready initiative introduced by Governor Cooper focuses on three fundamental principles: educational attainment for job readiness, employer leadership to meet industry demands, and local innovation for statewide application of successful ideas.
Funding and Strategic Goals
Local Innovation Fund grants are aligned with North Carolina’s First in Talent Plan, which prepares workers for success, supports businesses in attracting a skilled workforce, and enhances community competitiveness. The NCWorks Commission, a 37-member body that includes business leaders, state workforce heads, educators, and community leaders, endorses policies to elevate the state’s workforce competitiveness.
This local innovation grant is financed by the State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF), part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which allocated $5.4 billion to North Carolina to counteract the pandemic’s impact and foster a robust and equitable recovery.
For further details, visit www.commerce.nc.gov/local-innovation.
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