North Carolina Construction News staff writer
North Carolina’s Business Committee of Education (NCBCE) has received a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to enhance Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in high-demand fields. This funding is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s $195 million investment through the Apprenticeship Building America program.
The grant will support NC Career Launch, a statewide initiative aimed at developing and scaling apprenticeship programs for high school students. Programs will create pathways to post-secondary education and high-wage careers in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy, early childhood education, healthcare, and information technology/cybersecurity.
NC Career Launch will offer students paid work-based learning, classroom instruction, and mentorship. This initiative aims to prepare students for careers without accumulating debt. The initiative will also include support for students with autism and intellectual developmental disabilities, covering expenses like transportation, books, and testing fees.
The program will pilot pathways through Career and Technical Education or dual enrollment at community colleges and offer industry-recognized credentials. Graduates can continue in RAPs and complete their community college degrees at no cost through the NC Apprenticeship Tuition Waiver.
For more than 40 years, NCBCE has worked to connect education systems with local industry, focusing on quality work-based learning programs and professional development for educators.
