N.C Governor Stein Highlight Better Jobs

Today at Central Piedmont Community College, the Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships led by Governor Josh Stein unveiled its inaugural report, detailing its objectives to enhance access to quality jobs that offer fair wages capable of supporting a family.

“You shouldn’t have to get a four-year degree to get a good job and support your family,” said Governor Stein. “That’s why I am committed to creating more good-paying jobs and pursuing the goals in this report so that our people have the skills and knowledge they need to build strong careers and bright futures in a changing economy.” 

“The Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships featured the expertise of representatives from everyone in our workforce system, from employers and labor to educators and state officials,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Meeting the goals adopted by the Council will be vital to continuing North Carolina’s economic success, because our talented people give us our competitive edge.” 

Here are the 11 goals that the Council has approved:

1. Ensure 2 million North Carolinians aged 25-44 will have earned an industry-valued credential or degree. 

2. By graduation, ensure that every high school student has completed coursework that results in transferable credit or credentials/certifications in preparation for the postsecondary pathway of their choice. The coursework includes dual enrollment, Career & Technical Education (CTE) concentrator, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate, and work-based learning courses.  

3. For graduating high school students, increase postsecondary enrollment, employment, or enlistment in the military within 12 months of high school graduation. 

4. Double the number of registered apprentices. 

5. Increase participation in work-based learning: 

• Double the number of work-based learning experiences through the NCWorks system with funding from Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I and the Native American Workforce Program. 

• Double the number of high school students participating in work-based learning. 

• Increase by 25% the number of community college students participating in work-based learning courses. 

• Increase by 25% work-based learning experiences including Correction Enterprises roles and work-release at state correctional facilities. 

• Increase by 15% work-based learning experiences for individuals with disabilities through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title IV funds. 

• Double the number of students participating in the state government internship program. 

6. Engage 50,000 employers to partner with the Governor's Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships on achieving its goals. 

7. Establish and expand coordinated partnerships between education and workforce agencies and employers to increase alignment of resources to better address current and projected employer needs. Partnerships will result, on an annual basis, in the identification of local industry-valued training across the education continuum, shared planning for educational courses to meet these training needs, and increased use of available federal and state funds to support training in these programs. 

8. Create statewide sector-based workforce development strategies for at least 3 key industries, including, but not limited to, advanced manufacturing, education, and health care. 

9. Develop a plan to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills development into sector-based strategies and work-based learning in key industries to build a future-ready workforce. 

10. Reduce state government vacancy rate to 15%. 

11. Launch a coordinated statewide public outreach effort to broaden awareness and participation in workforce development programs by employers, learners, jobseekers, and incumbent workers, with an emphasis on reaching under-tapped talent pools like rural communities, veterans and their families, individuals with disabilities, and justice-involved people.