Governor McCrory, North Carolina Selected for Workforce Academy

, N.C. - Governor Pat McCrory and the state of North Carolina have been selected for a nationally recognized program that will support its efforts to strengthen the state’s workforce. 
 
“In North Carolina, we have recognized the importance of collaboration between technical training, our public schools, our community colleges, our universities and our Department of Commerce because they all play a vital role in providing skilled labor to businesses across the state,” said Governor McCrory. “Preparing our workforce at the highest of levels not only strengthens our economy, but also puts states at a competitive advantage here at home and internationally. Workforce development is something all governors are focused on, and I look forward to working with other states to provide a high-quality workforce throughout North Carolina and our nation,” the governor continued. 
 
The National Governors Association (NGA) Policy Academy to Align Education and Training Systems to the Needs of State Economies is a two-year program in which states learn best practices in education and workforce programs, helping to strengthen their workers and their economies.  Through the academy, states develop a clear vision and goals, better integrate workforce and education data in decision making, support education and industry partnerships, and refocus resources to better support their goals. Governor McCrory joins a bipartisan group of governors from 13 other states, including Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. 
 
By transforming its workforce system, North Carolina will help workers improve their skills through access to training, job seekers find meaningful employment, and employers connect with talented workers who will help their businesses thrive.  Earlier this year, Governor McCrory launched the NCWorks initiative to coordinate existing programs and unite the state’s workforce partners under a single name.  As part of the policy academy, the state will adopt the best practices of other states and receive help from the NGA Center for Best Practices and a $170,000 grant, which will support ongoing NCWorks programs and goals.   
“We launched the NCWorks initiative to help communities and families prosper, because a growing economy and a strong workforce go hand in hand,” continued Governor McCrory.   
 
Over the past year: 
Number of individuals registered in NCWorks Online: 446,022 
Number of employers registered in NCWorks Online: 4,694  
Number of jobs posted directly with NCWorks Online: 76,862 
 
State officials are expected to attend the first meeting of the policy academy institute on October 9-10 in Seattle, Washington.  
 
NCWorks 
In April, Governor Pat McCrory announced NCWorks, a new partnership between the N.C. Department of Commerce, the N.C. Community College System, and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to improve the state’s workforce system.  Through the NCWorks initiative, partners will create a stronger alignment of services and resources to meet the workforce needs of businesses, connect North Carolinians to technical training and quality careers, and use data to monitor and assess program outcomes.  For more information about NCWorks, visit www.nccommerce.com/ncworks. 
 
The N.C. Division of Workforce Solutions is a part of the N.C. Department of Commerce.  For more information about the division, visit www.nccommerce.com/workforce.