NC receives $4 million from Department of Labor to expand apprenticeship programs

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina Business Committee of Education has been awarded $4 million from the U.S. Department of Labor to expand the use of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in high-demand fields, Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Monday.

According to the governor’s office, the committee’s NC Career Launch will create a statewide youth apprenticeship system that develop and scale programs for high school students that lead to registered apprenticeships in critical sectors.

The program will develop, pilot, and scale pathways in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, early childhood education, healthcare, and information technology/cybersecurity, according to the governor’s office. It will also pilot RAP pathways for students with autism and intellectual developmental disabilities, offering support for barriers such as transportation, books, and testing fees.

The governor’s office says apprenticeship is a proven workforce training model that combines paid on-the-job training with formal classroom instruction, helping workers gain the necessary skills for career success.

“For five years in a row, North Carolina has been ranked a top destination for business thanks to our highly-skilled and diverse workforce,” Cooper said in a statement. “NC Career Launch will continue to strengthen our already great public schools and workforce training programs by providing new pathways for high school students to prepare for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”

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