Governor Stein’s Visit Highlights Electrical Workforce Initiative in North Carolina
At Cleveland Community College, Governor Josh Stein engaged with high school students participating in the Careers Electric Summer Electrical Academy. This visit spotlighted the administration’s focus on broadening access to career-ready training, particularly in the electrical sector, to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in North Carolina.
“Apprenticeships unlock doors of opportunity for young people, help employers develop homegrown talent, and support our state’s workforce needs,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Careers Electric Summer Academies are preparing the next generation of electrical professionals, creating opportunities for students, and supporting the long-term growth of our economy. No state will outwork North Carolina when it comes to developing our workforce.”
The Summer Academy, part of the wider Careers Electric initiative, was established in North Carolina with a $9.25 million investment from the Siemens Foundation. The program aims to prepare 25,000 residents for careers in energy and infrastructure sectors over the next decade. Recently, ABB pledged $1 million over two years, joining the Siemens Foundation as a co-chair of the Careers Electric Coalition. More information about founding partners can be found here.
Partners in the Summer Academy include the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), Cleveland Community College, Cleveland County Schools, and local employers. Students enrolled in the program gain college credit, industry credentials, hands-on experience, and a registered pre-apprenticeship without incurring costs. Graduates receive a $2,000 stipend and are well-positioned to join the workforce or further their education in Electrical Systems Technology.
The initiative comes at a crucial time, as data from the NC Department of Commerce predicts a rise in electrician employment from 25,800 to over 28,500 between 2024 and 2034. Currently, North Carolina supports over 70,000 electrical jobs, with projections indicating a 10% national growth and approximately 80,000 annual openings in these fields. Notably, 70% of licensed electricians in the state are aged over 50, emphasizing the need for young talent.
“For years we’ve heard about growing worker shortages in skilled trades,” said David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation. “Careers Electric provides a model to solve that gap: validating a workforce model in one state, then working together to scale it nationwide. We are thrilled to witness these pre-apprenticeship opportunities being launched and scaled to jump-start the promising careers of young people while supporting the nation’s infrastructure and innovation goals.”
Launched in February alongside Governor Stein, Careers Electric is backed by a coalition of state, educational, and industry partners such as Amazon Web Services, Duke Energy, and others. Grantee partners include Wake Technical Community College and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP).
“The future of electrification starts with people, and the need for skilled talent has never been greater,” said Jason Green, Country Human Resources Manager at ABB US. “ABB is proud to co-chair the Careers Electric Coalition to invest in people, strengthen our industry, and create life-changing opportunities for the next generation.”
This summer, twelve Electrical Academies have been established across North Carolina through collaborations between NCBCE, community colleges, and local school districts. These academies include:
- Blue Ridge Community College and Henderson County Schools
- Central Carolina Community College and Harnett County Schools
- Central Piedmont Community College and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- Cleveland Community College and Cleveland County Schools
- Forsyth Technical Community College and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
- Isothermal Community College and Rutherford County Schools and Polk County Schools
- Pitt Community College and Pitt County Schools
- Rockingham Community College and Rockingham County Schools
- Surry Community College and Surry County Schools and Yadkin County Schools
- Vance-Granville Community College and Granville County Schools
- Wake Technical Community College and Wake County Public School System
- Wayne Community College and Wayne County Public Schools
“These academies represent something powerful: a chance for young people across North Carolina to step into careers that offer real wages, real skills, and real opportunities,” said Caroline Sullivan, NCBCE Executive Director. “Through the Careers Electric initiative, we are investing in students at the exact moment when a high-quality, paid learning experience can change the direction of their lives.”
Governor Stein’s long-standing support for apprenticeship models reflects his commitment to expanding career opportunities. In February, he directed funds from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) towards NC Career Launch. This program assists businesses in creating youth apprenticeship opportunities in high-demand sectors like electrification, contributing to North Carolina’s recognition as the top state for workforce development by Site Selection Magazine.
In December, the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships released an end-of-year report outlining goals to expand workforce access across North Carolina, including doubling apprenticeship opportunities. Recently, Governor Stein signed Senate Bill 257, marking the first full state budget in over two years, which includes substantial investments in workforce development and community colleges.
Click here to learn more about the Careers Electric initiative.
Click here to learn more about the North Carolina Business Committee for Education.
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