Governor Josh Stein has announced that over 500 high school students have completed summer pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship academies in North Carolina. These programs, run by the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), focus on fields including electrical trades, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, biotechnology, and health care. The initiative, known as NC Career Launch, is supported by a U.S. Department of Labor grant and has facilitated youth apprenticeships for 1,067 students across 48 counties since 2024. The program partners with more than 165 employers across the state.
Governor Stein emphasized the importance of these apprenticeships in providing students with hands-on learning opportunities that also allow them to earn a paycheck. NCBCE Chair Julia Wright highlighted the collaboration between employers and educational leaders in these programs, which enable students to earn college credit and credentials while meeting potential future employers.
Careers Electric Summer Academies
NCBCE has launched Careers Electric, a new initiative aimed at developing pathways into the electrical and energy workforce. The BlackRock Foundation has selected Careers Electric as part of its BlackRock Future Builders Inaugural Cohort, one of 15 initiatives chosen from over 1,000 applications nationwide. The program, supported by Siemens Foundation and other partners, has seen 220 high school students complete electrical pre-apprenticeships in various community colleges across North Carolina.
Southeastern Education and Economic Development (SEED)
The SEED program, funded by the Smithfield Foundation, completed its third year, with 64 students completing college courses and engaging in work-based learning in advanced manufacturing and agriculture. Students participated in hands-on learning and networking with local employers across southeastern North Carolina.
BioWork Pre-Apprenticeship for Students on the Autism Spectrum
In collaboration with Johnston Community College and Durham Technical Community College, the BioWork pre-apprenticeship program was designed for students on the autism spectrum. Thirteen students completed the program, which provides foundational skills for careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and chemical manufacturing, with support from UNC’s TEACCH Autism Program.
NC Career Launch Summer Youth Apprenticeship Programs
NC Career Launch also supported summer youth apprenticeship programs in seven additional counties, where more than 200 students completed programs in fields such as construction, IT, and health care. These programs are designed in collaboration with local employer partners.
Health Care Apprenticeship Pathways
NCBCE is working to expand health care pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship pathways to address workforce shortages. In partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, the initiative has seen over 400 individuals complete nursing apprenticeships, with nearly 20 new programs added.
STEP-NC: First Health Care Apprenticeship in State Government
Governor Stein and NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai announced STEP-NC, the first state government-registered health care apprenticeship program. Broughton Hospital and J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center hosted six high school graduates in pre-apprenticeships, focusing on behavioral health and maintenance technician pathways.
Supporting North Carolina Workers
Governor Stein has directed Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding towards NC Career Launch, aiming to double statewide apprenticeships. North Carolina was ranked the 2026 Top State for Workforce Development by Site Selection Magazine. The state budget, signed in July, allocates significant resources towards workforce development and community college systems.
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