The North Carolina Department of Commerce has allocated $660,000 in employer engagement grants to 13 local workforce development boards. This effort, announced by Governor Josh Stein, aims to bolster partnerships between local businesses and workforce boards to improve employment opportunities across the state. The funding aligns with North Carolina’s strategic goal to engage 50,000 employers in workforce development initiatives, supporting the state’s recognition as the top-ranked state for workforce development. The grants are part of a broader strategy to expand work-based learning programs, including apprenticeships, across various industries.
Governor Stein emphasized that the initiative is a significant step in creating job opportunities for North Carolinians by strengthening connections between employers and workforce boards. Each workforce board will use the grant money to implement innovative strategies tailored to their local and regional needs to connect with businesses. The initiative also supports the “First in Opportunity” strategic economic development plan, which calls for enhanced employer outreach and coordination statewide. Additionally, the N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary, Lee Lilley, highlighted the importance of these grants in linking workforce development with economic growth by enhancing NCWorks partners’ capabilities.
The grants have been distributed among various workforce development boards, including Cape Fear, Capital Area, Charlotte Works and Centralina (a regional partnership), Eastern Carolina, and others. These boards serve various counties across North Carolina, each receiving a portion of the funds to support their local initiatives. Employers interested in engaging with the workforce system are encouraged to complete an interest form available on the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s website. This engagement will help state and local partners tailor support services and address businesses’ challenges effectively. This initiative is part of a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I program, fully funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.
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