North Carolina: State of the State

North Carolina: State of the State

 

ESAC State Report 2025

 

ApprenticeshipNC

 

Apprentice Office Details

 

ApprenticeshipNC, part of the Economic Development Division of the North Carolina Community Colleges System is North Carolina’s State Apprenticeship Agency. ApprenticeshipNC with the support of an Advisory Council carries out the four mandates of the agency – technical assistance, registration, governance/quality control, and growth.

 

The agency also manages grant administration for select programs and works with a myriad of stakeholders both governmental and non-governmental in strengthening and expanding apprenticeship.

 

Key Initiatives

 

In 2024, ApprenticeshipNC (ANC) in collaboration with the Apprenticeship Council, Community College Presidents, and North Carolina’s Community College System leadership revised its strategic plan with five areas of focus:

 

County Ecosystem. Identify and build a platform identifying the key contacts of each of the 100 counties workforce development ecosystem (K12, community college, workforce boards, chambers of commerce, local elected officials…). Complete a survey of work-based learning programs and practices already underway (including apprenticeship but not exclusive of apprenticeship). Share best practices with an aim to encourage development of a fully integrated local apprenticeship ecosystem (K12, college, and employers are working together on a common goal, with dedicated resources, under a Group Program structure).

 

Structure, Process & Value. All policies, SOPs, and support material are current and available to stakeholders. Value proposition is well understood and documented for the various stakeholder groups (worker/student, parent, employer, K12, college…). Processes are streamlined and simplified.

 

Communities of Practice. Communities of existing employers/sponsors are established for peer-to-peer mentoring, best practice sharing, and challenges facing specific segments are established (advanced manufacturing, healthcare, education, IT…). Once established, these will become opportunities for mentoring new employers, and potentially, by invitation, an opportunity to include industry associations.

 

 

Funding. The agency has not seen significant investment aside from grant funds since 2013. With approximately 65% of operating expenses covered by grants, we need to secure recurrent state appropriated funds to support the work.

 

Growth. In addition to the other key initiatives, growth will be fueled by realigning consultants (ATRs) based on the workforce they serve, creating a more balanced workload and creating the ability for all consultants to achieve their targets. Updated website and marketing campaign driving traffic to website and connecting with the agency.

 

Statistics FY24 (ended June 30, 2024)

 

• Total Employers Served – 3525

 

• Total Sponsors Served – 1399

 

• Total Apprentices Served – 15,090

 

• New Apprenticeship Enrollments – 4,990 (45% increase)

 

• New Pre-Apprenticeship Enrollments – 1774 (50% increase)

 

Workforce Partnerships

 

In addition to the local level initiatives, ANC works collaboratively with North Carolina’s Department of Commerce (Division of Workforce Solutions, NC Works, and Labor and Economic Analysis Division [LEAD]), the governor’s office, Legislators, Department of Public Instruction, 58 Community College Presidents, and numerous other community-based organizations.

 

Notable Achievements

 

Several of our integrated or semi-integrated local apprenticeship ecosystems have been recognized nationally for their approach.

 

Because of federal funding through ABA and SAEF the agency has been able to increase staff, marketing, and systems to better support the employers and workforce of North Carolina, which is what has helped make the growth possible.

 

North Carolina is a top state for breadth of occupations represented in apprenticeship – including a robust healthcare segment, teacher apprenticeships, and the more traditional trades and manufacturing.

 

Events

 

• ANC just completed a sold-out Apprenticeship Conference with more than 250 attendees including a keynote by Governor Stein.

 

• Launch of new website

 

 

• Multiple “Apprenticeship Day” events planned highlighting the work throughout the state including one focused on public sector programs (city, county, state), youth programs, and many more.