Governor's Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships Minutes for February 2026

Governor’s Council on Workforce & Apprenticeships 
February 11, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM| Hybrid
McKimmon Center, NC State University, Raleigh, NC
MEETING MINUTES 
 

Council Members Present: Co-chair President Dr. Jeff Cox,  Co-chair Secretary Lee Lilley, Co-chair Senator Eddie Settle,  Senator Val Applewhite, Robert Axford, Rep. Vernetta Alston,  Mark Bolton, Chad Bouffiou, Sarah Kaminer Bourland, Dr. Amanda Lee (J.B. Buxton), Sherry Carpenter, Brian Floyd, Cecilia Holden, Jennie Jackson, Steven Mange, Edsel McDonald, Trey Micheal, Anna Perkinson, Eric Shoults, Tammy Simmons, Andrea Allard (Doug Taggart), Dr. Thomas Walker, Wendy Walker-Fox, and Tom West.

Absent: Dr. Travis Reeves, Rep. Matthew Winslow

Staff: James Bain, Andrew Beal, Dr. Andrea DeSantis, Kindl Detar, Tracie Ford, Veronica Green, Dr. Annie Izod, Lynn Lyle, Kristie Van Auken, Wendy Johnson

Welcome and Roll Call

The meeting of the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships commenced with Co-chair Senator Eddie Settle offering a warm welcome to the council members, expressing appreciation for their continued efforts within the subcommittees. Senator Settle emphasized the importance of collaboration and progress as the Council entered its first quarterly meeting of the year. A roll call was conducted, confirming the presence of members. Senator Settle also extended a special welcome to NCWorks Commission members, subject-matter experts, and partners, acknowledging their valuable contributions to the Council’s work. 

Conflict of Interest Statement and Approval of Minutes

Senator Settle read the Conflict-of-Interest statement and proceeded with the approval of the minutes from the November 6th meeting. After pausing for comments or corrections, a motion to approve was made by Thomas Walker and seconded by Trey Michael, followed by a voice vote in which the “ayes” prevailed, confirming the minutes were approved as written. Senator Settle then transitioned the meeting to Co-chair Secretary Lee Lilley.

Welcome and Updates

Secretary Lilley thanked Senator Settle and welcomed both in-person and virtual participants. He highlighted significant progress since the last convening, including North Carolina’s ranking as #1 in the nation for Workforce Development by Site Selection magazine on January 5, 2026. This achievement was celebrated during a visit to Machine Specialties Inc. (MSI) in Whitsett with Governor Josh Stein, and Secretary Lilley extended special thanks to Council member Tammy Simmons for her leadership in hosting the event. He emphasized that this recognition reflects strong partnerships, innovation, and collective effort statewide, while reiterating the Governor’s expectation for measurable outcomes and accountability.

Secretary Lilley reviewed the Council’s trajectory: after submitting goals to the Governor in June 2025, subcommittees met regularly, engaged subject matter experts, and refined strategies in alignment with the statewide mission. The September and November virtual sessions helped sharpen direction; an October in-person retreat provided deeper discussion; and the December 15 report was submitted and approved, marking a pivot from strategy development to implementation. He acknowledged contributions across the four renamed committees: Workforce Readiness, Applied Workforce Experiences, Industry Driven Partnerships, and Workforce System Excellence. Looking ahead, he outlined 2026 priorities: (1) NC Career Launch youth apprenticeships announced by Governor Stein to engage 11th–12th graders; (2) launching a Department of Commerce webpage to recruit and engage 50,000 employers (Goal 6); (3) Workforce Pell implementation; and (4) advancing sector strategies, including a healthcare workforce sector partnership with the Center on the Workforce for Health.

He also noted parallel efforts within Commerce to produce a new statewide economic development plan building on First in Talent and mirroring/enhancing the Council’s goals, and his co-chair role (with D.I.T. Secretary Teena Piccione) on the Governor’s AI Task Force, prioritizing long-term workforce upskilling so that North Carolina remains an AI-literate state. Secretary Lilley then invited Kindl Detar, Policy Advisor to Governor Stein, for a briefing on the Governor’s recent announcement.

Governor’s Announcement: NC Career Launch

Kindl joined virtually and provided an update on the Governor’s directive to set aside discretionary WIOA funds to expand youth apprenticeships through NC Career Launch. She emphasized apprenticeship as a high-quality work-based learning model that connects students with employers, allowing businesses to grow local talent early and giving students structured earn-and-learn pathways within their communities. The expanded NC Career Launch will (1) help businesses develop registered youth apprenticeship programs (beginning in grades 11–12) in high-demand sectors (childcare, healthcare, skilled trades, advanced manufacturing), and (2) connect high schoolers to those opportunities. All supported apprenticeships will be registered and lead to credentials and future opportunities.

Kindl highlighted “braiding” the directed set-aside funds with local workforce board efforts to extend reach statewide, targeting both waitlisted existing programs (where employers want to expand but lack capacity) and a special focus on Western North Carolina as part of regional rebuilding—enabling youth to access opportunities and remain in the region. This investment directly supports the Council’s goal to double apprenticeships, and Kindl thanked partners critical to implementation: NC Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), ApprenticeshipNC, workforce development boards, public schools, and community colleges. Kindl referenced success stories such as Dylan Clark, an MSI youth apprentice (who, at age 20, owns his first home through a Guilford County Schools–GTCC partnership) and model to replicate statewide. Kindl concluded by committing to keep the Council updated on progress.

NCCareers.org Overview and Discussion

Secretary Lilley then transitioned to the next agenda item —a demonstration of NCCareers.org. He introduced Jamie Vaughn, Senior Analyst for Market Intelligence at the NC Commerce Labor and Economic Analysis Division, who provided an overview of the award-winning career development platform. Secretary Lilley noted that NCCareers.org has served over one million North Carolinians, with 6.6 million pageviews and 970,000 users in 2025, including students, job seekers, educators, and workforce professionals seeking data-driven career guidance. He concluded by inviting Jamie Vaughn to begin the presentation.

NCCareers.org, the state’s award-winning career information system. Jamie explained NCCareers.org’s mission to make high-quality career exploration freely available and portable through education and workforce. The platform launched in July 2020, is governed collaboratively by multiple partners, and has grown substantially: over one million users in the last 12 months, reflecting 95% year-over-year growth compared to 2024. The system supports users from middle school through adulthood and is used across school districts, community colleges, independent colleges, the UNC System, NCWorks Career Centers, and DHHS vocational rehabilitation.

Jamie detailed functionality: six assessments/activities to help users understand interests/skills; occupation profiles covering 823 occupations with statewide and 16 sub-state regional wage data; a Career Journey Builder to map from current education/occupation to goal roles; education linkage to short-term credentials and degree programs, including NC Workforce Credentials; integrated job posting links out to NCWorks.gov; and single sign-on/logins via NCID (nc.gov), NCEdCloud, or NCWorks—enabling saved profiles and portability. He noted the platform was originally built for ~$1 million on a shoestring budget and leverages CFNC’s Professional Tools (ProTools) reporting so educators can view student progress. Jamie highlighted the addition of Career Development Plans to meet state legislative requirements; approximately half of NC school districts use NCCareers.org (fully or in part) to meet graduation planning needs.

Upcoming features include business listings by occupation (to identify local employers that hire specific roles, aiding work-based learning, shadowing, apprenticeships, and internships) and tighter integration with DPI/CTE career clusters and courses to drive CTE pathway completion. Jamie closed by stressing NCCareers.org’s adaptability and invited collaboration to connect registered apprenticeships to occupations and enable employer-generated occupation videos to aid recruitment.

Q&A Discussion on NCCareers.org

During the discussion following the NCCareers.org presentation, members raised several questions and comments. Co-chair President Dr. Jeff Cox asked whether the platform could be linked directly to current job listings to allow users to transition seamlessly from career exploration to application. In response, Dr. Andrea DeSantis, Assistant Secretary from the Division of Workforce Solutions, explained that NCCareers.org already links to NCWorks.gov for job searches using keyword pass-through. He added that, building on the Council’s December strategy, the team will explore creating a single portal experience that supports users from middle school through their career journey, consolidating exploration and application to reduce friction. This work will involve collaboration with Jamie’s team and other partners over the next year.

Secretary Lilley inquired about how the platform achieved such substantial user growth. Jamie responded that growth has been driven by ongoing outreach, new features, and adoption of Career Development Plans. While Google Analytics limits tracking of users under 18, data for users aged 18 and older shows significant gains across all age brackets. Jamie noted that continued district onboarding—such as upcoming summer training with Wake County Public Schools—and higher education adoption, including Wake Tech Community College’s transition from a legacy platform to NCCareers.org, are expected to accelerate growth further.

Mark Bolton asked about grade-level utilization and whether usage extends beyond middle and high school into elementary grades. Jamie explained that primary utilization occurs in middle and high school due to the depth of data, though some elementary use has been reported by educators. He added that a future “NCCareers Jr.” is on the development wish list to provide age-appropriate exploration for younger students.

Lastly, Cecilia Holden of MyFutureNC offered a comment praising the cross-sector collaboration behind NCCareers.org and noted the recurring $350,000 in funding secured from the General Assembly and the Governor. She observed that with one million users, this equates to approximately $35 per user and referenced the 2026 Workforce Act request for $1.5 million to support NCCareers.org enhancements, which would reduce the cost to $1.50 per user. Cecilia emphasized that connecting learning to careers is critical for keeping students and adults on track and urged support for the funding request.

Secretary Lilley thanked Jamie and LEAD, acknowledged the General Assembly’s support, and reiterated the importance of partners and collaborators. He then transitioned to Workforce Pell.

Workforce Pell Overview

Dr. DeSantis provided an overview of Workforce Pell and its implications for workforce development efforts. Workforce Pell, enacted in July 2025 and slated to launch July 1, 2026, following negotiated rulemaking with the U.S. Department of Education and Department of Labor. She explained that Workforce Pell expands Pell Grant eligibility to high-quality short-term workforce training programs of 8–15 weeks (or 150–599 clock hours), designed to quickly move low-income learners into the labor market. Programs must be offered by Title IV-eligible institutions (public two- and four-year, nonprofit, and qualifying proprietary schools) and must meet rigorous standards: ≥70% completion and ≥70% job placement within 180 days. Programs must lead to high-wage, high-skill, or in-demand jobs; be stackable (credit-bearing and transferable); and portable (ending in an industry-recognized credential or license valued by multiple employers). Students must complete the FAFSA; grants count toward the lifetime Pell limit. Importantly, individuals with a bachelor’s degree (but not a graduate degree) may be eligible, removing a longstanding barrier for adult learners seeking short-term credentials.

Dr. DeSantis summarized federal progress: consensus reached during negotiated rulemaking; consensus rules posted for public comment; and a final rule targeted for spring 2026. She stressed that states would have flexibility but are not expected to approve every program in the short-term training window; rather, states should identify essential programs aligned to labor market needs and enforce accountability. She outlined North Carolina’s implementation path: building definitions of high wage, high skill, and in demand (leveraging LEAD’s “star jobs” framework); defining stackability/portability; designing an application process that may leverage the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL); clarifying how Workforce Pell supports apprenticeship related instruction; and targeting a policy for public comment in April with NCWorks Commission approval in May. Assuming federal final guidance is issued, the state application could open in late May, allowing for initial approvals before July 1, 2026.

Q&A Discussion on Workforce Pell

Following Dr. DeSantis’s presentation on Workforce Pell, members engaged in a detailed discussion. Senator Val Applewhite asked which existing programs meet the required hourly criteria and whether there is an opportunity to build new programs to comply. Dr. DeSantis responded that the NC Community College System has conducted an inventory of eligible programs, identifying approximately 80 programs such as skilled trades, firefighter training, machining, medical assistant, pharmacy technician, and welding. Institutions have received program-specific data on eligibility, including completion and job placement rates. She confirmed that new program development is encouraged; however, programs must be offered in their current format for at least one year before approval, indicating a measured and intentional ramp-up. Dr. DeSantis also noted a potential forthcoming federal grant opportunity under the Strengthening Community Colleges initiative to support program design.

Sarah Bourland asked how “high wage” will be defined, noting that critical roles such as CNAs and early childhood educators meet training length requirements but may not meet wage thresholds. Dr. DeSantis clarified that the state would use an “or” criterion—high wage OR high skill OR in-demand—so essential programs with lower wages will not be excluded if they meet other criteria. She emphasized that definitions would be reasonable and non-burdensome and welcomed Sarah’s engagement in refining them.

Dr. Cox cautioned that initial screens suggest only about four percent of existing short-term credential programs may qualify under current hours and outcomes thresholds. He encouraged monitoring the real-world impact of short-term Pell and balancing decisions on whether to increase program hours to meet Pell eligibility versus retaining efficient, demand-aligned shorter programs to avoid unnecessary time-to-completion burdens. Dr. Cox expressed measured optimism about the opportunity, coupled with pragmatism regarding its near-term scale.

Secretary Lilley thanked Dr. DeSantis and members for the thoughtful questions and confirmed that more information will be provided as Workforce Pell advances.

Overview of Commission and Council Work

Dr. Annie Izod provided a brief overview of the NCWorks Commission and the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships, underscoring their shared vision of opportunity and complementary roles. The Commission offers statewide oversight, long-term system alignment, and policy stewardship, while the Council surfaces cross-sector expertise, identifies barriers, elevates innovative practices, and shapes actionable recommendations. Together, they drive coherent progress toward the Council’s 11 goals through four paired objectives and committees:

• Objective 1: Increasing education, credential, and degree attainment (Commission Education & Credential Attainment; Council Workforce Readiness).
• Objective 2: Expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning (Commission Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning; Council Applied Workforce Experiences).
• Objective 3: Strengthening employer engagement and sector-based strategies, including AI and reducing state workforce vacancies (Commission Future Ready Workforce & Employer Engagement; Council Industry Driven Partnerships).
• Objective 4: Modernizing and aligning the workforce system, access, and public outreach (Commission Labor Market Alignment & System Modernization; Council Workforce System Excellence).

Dr. Izod reminded members that the Council’s December report (in attendee folders) articulates the 11 goals and aligned strategies, and that the Council sunsets in December 2026, with the Commission carrying forward implementation.

Secretary Lilley thanked Dr. Izod for her remarks and transitioned to the next portion of the agenda, noting the critical role of subcommittees in advancing statewide workforce goals. He announced that the meeting would now move into subcommittee reports, beginning with the Workforce Readiness Subcommittee.

Committee Reports

Workforce Readiness Subcommittee

Sherry Carpenter reported that the subcommittee met on January 30, 2026, and affirmed alignment with the NCWorks Commission’s Education & Credential Attainment Committee (ECAC), as its advisory partner to ensure alignment on Objective 1 strategies and accelerate statewide attainment goals. The ECAC priorities for 2026 include Workforce Pell implementation, expanding employer awareness, leveraging prior learning (especially for veterans), and addressing barriers for justice-involved individuals, veterans, and rural communities. 

The Workforce Readiness Subcommittee reviewed progress on Objective 1 strategies and received an in-depth preview of the Workforce Pell (PEL) initiative from Dr. Andrea DeSantis, noting that public comment is anticipated in April and NCWorks Commission approval targeted for May. The subcommittee unanimously designated Workforce Pell as its top priority for 2026, alongside advancing interoperable data systems (e.g., digital transcripts), strengthening career advising strategies, and ensuring credential list alignment with employer demand. Members emphasized the importance of wraparound supports—including childcare, transportation, and faith-based partnerships—to reduce attrition and promote equitable access, as well as alignment with BOOST programs and veteran diversion initiatives. The group reaffirmed its role as a strategic accelerator, committed to driving collaboration and innovation to sustain North Carolina’s national leadership in workforce development and credential attainment. Additionally, the subcommittee endorsed the Robeson County justice-involved diversion program, which offers first-time offenders the opportunity to earn a credential in lieu of a criminal record, aiming to reduce recidivism, improve employment prospects, and explore funding for a courthouse liaison and potential adaptation for veteran treatment courts. Collectively, the committee recommended the advancing Workforce Pell implementation and Objective 1 goals through coordinated strategies and stakeholder engagement.

Applied Workforce Experiences Subcommittee

Tammy Simmons presented the report for the Applied Workforce Experiences Subcommittee, which met on January 24, 2026, to advance Objective 2 strategies focused on expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning. The committee reviewed regional collaboration efforts, legislative advocacy priorities, and major new federal funding opportunities estimated at $60 million+ across multiple programs to support apprenticeship expansion statewide. Members emphasized the need for strong outreach to 50,000 employers identified in North Carolina’s workforce strategy and discussed leveraging the state’s recent recognition as #1 in the nation for workforce development to strengthen marketing and employer engagement.

Discussion focused on strategies to streamline apprenticeship models, strengthen employer-centered training, and improve data tracking to ensure measurable outcomes. Tammy provided an update on the Governor’s visit to Machine Specialties, Inc. (MSI), which showcased the success of youth apprenticeships through the story of Dylan Clark, reinforcing statewide momentum for earn-and-learn pathways. The subcommittee agreed to map early-impact initiatives and maintain close coordination with the NCWorks Commission’s Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning Committee to avoid duplication and ensure durable systems beyond 2026. The meeting concluded with planning for upcoming sessions, a reaffirmation of the committee’s role in identifying barriers, elevating innovative practices, and shaping policy recommendations, and a commitment to advancing Objective 2 through advocacy, collaboration, and focused support.

Industry-Driven Partnerships Subcommittee

Anna Parkinson reported on behalf of the Industry-Driven Partnerships Subcommittee, which met virtually on January 14, 2026. The subcommittee adopted its new name to better reflect its mission and align with the NCWorks Commission’s Future Ready Workforce and Employer Engagement Committee. The discussion focused on Goals 8, 9, and 10, with a major theme centered on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into workforce strategies. Members acknowledged AI’s rapid evolution and its potential impact on sectors such as healthcare and state government operations, while agreeing to align with the Governor’s AI Leadership Council for guidance. Sarah Bourland highlighted emerging healthcare trends, noting AI’s potential to transform patient engagement and workforce roles. Anna shared insights on AI applications within state HR systems, clarifying that critical roles such as corrections officers and nurses are unlikely to be materially reduced by AI in the near term.

The subcommittee also explored strategies to address high vacancy rates in state government, particularly in health and corrections roles, including innovative retention approaches such as flexible schedules and even a four-day workweek, though members acknowledged challenges to large-scale implementation. Mark Bolton contributed a private-sector perspective, emphasizing employee engagement and recommending surveys to identify workplace pain points; OSHR is currently exploring a statewide engagement survey, which may require new system procurement.

Healthcare workforce development emerged as another critical topic, with Sarah describing pilot apprenticeship programs in state-operated health facilities aimed at addressing severe staffing shortages—initiatives that could serve as models for broader adoption. Members agreed to prioritize short-term strategies such as expanding sector partnerships and healthcare apprenticeships, while maintaining a long-term focus on AI integration and systemic improvements.

Workforce System Excellence Subcommittee

Chad Bouffiou presented the Workforce System Excellence Subcommittee report, noting that the subcommittee met on January 22, 2026, and focused on its core charge for the year: strengthening communications and outreach so North Carolinians clearly understand what NCWorks and its partners offer. The subcommittee aims to move from being “the best kept secret” to becoming the first stop for jobseekers, employers, and community partners. Discussion centered on strategies under Objective 4, including developing a statewide public-facing outreach campaign, launching an advocacy plan to build stronger relationships with elected officials, exploring a unified entry point for NCWorks.gov and NCCareers.org, and expanding access for justice-involved individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Members emphasized reaching underserved populations, improving employer engagement, and gathering early ideas for the outreach campaign. Chad noted that this is the beginning of a multi-year effort, and all ideas are on the table as the subcommittee continues refining its approach. The group agreed to coordinate closely with the Outreach & Advocacy Task Force to ensure a unified statewide message and alignment across all communication channels.

Closing Remarks and Adjournment

Secretary Lilley thanked all subcommittee presenters for their comprehensive updates and commended the tremendous work their teams continue to advance. He emphasized that the progress shared during the meeting reflects the depth of collaboration across the Council and demonstrates meaningful momentum toward achieving statewide workforce goals. Secretary Lilley noted that these efforts are laying a strong foundation for the implementation phase ahead and expressed confidence that the groundwork established will carry the Council forward with purpose and impact. He reiterated the Governor’s expectation that all goals remain measurable and actionable and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum and accountability as strategies transition into execution.

Dr. Cox followed with closing remarks, expressing appreciation for the detailed reports and the significant progress reflected in each update. He highlighted the remarkable collaboration and forward momentum across all committees, stating that the work being done is not only strengthening North Carolina’s workforce system but also shaping the state’s future in a powerful way. Dr. Cox shared his enthusiasm for the progress achieved and optimism for the possibilities ahead as strategies move into action. He reminded members that the next meeting will be held on May 13, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30 A.M. at NC State University’s McKimmon Center, with hybrid participation available. Dr. Cox concluded by thanking members for their dedication and partnership and expressed confidence in the continued impact of their work.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 A.M. following these remarks.

Respectfully submitted, 

Dr. Annie Izod 

Approved May 13, 2026