The N.C. Division of Workforce Solutions has received a federal grant worth $6.1 million to expand its programs to train workers who lost a job in high-demand industries.
The state will receive the grant over two years through the federal Job Driven National Emergency Grant program to augment on-the-job and classroom training programs in targeted regions for dislocated workers, helping them prepare for in-demand industries. Individuals served through this grant will be those who have been unemployed for the long term, more than 27 weeks, with a special priority given to veterans. The division will work in collaboration with the Workforce Development Boards and the N.C. Community Colleges in the targeted areas to offer the expanded programs.
“This grant expands our investment in one of the state’s most important resources: our workforce,” said Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker. “We’re giving job seekers the tools they need to find jobs, providing businesses the employees they need to thrive, and creating a prosperous economy for North Carolina.”
Across the state, the division’s local workforce offices offer career assessments, labor market information, access to training and job fairs, and assistance with job interviews, resumes, and cover letters at no charge to job seekers. The division also operates NCWorks Online, the job-search portal designed to connect talented job seekers to employers.
The division, workforce boards, and the community college system work together to connect talented people with employers and employers with the services they need to grow and retain quality jobs.
“We’re thrilled to offer more unemployed citizens the tools they need to successfully compete in the job market,” said Will Collins, Executive Director of NCWorks. “Our agencies do their best work when they’re working together to improve the workforce of North Carolina.”
The Job Driven National Emergency Grant program is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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.