NCWorks NextGen

North Carolina’s NCWorks NextGen programs are dedicated to equipping youth and young adults (ages 14–24) with the skills, support and experiences they need to advance in education and career pathways. NCWorks NextGen programs represent a top-tier youth intervention—centered on education, employment, and empowerment. They offer tailored services, real-world opportunities, and wraparound support for those who need it most, helping shape the next generation of leaders, graduates and skilled workers.

NCWorks NextGen youth programs serve both in‑school and out‑of‑school youth who face barriers to success, such as low income, academic struggles, foster care, justice involvement, disability, homelessness, teen parenting, or language limitations. The primary goal is enabling each young person to complete secondary education, access training opportunities and establish sustainable employment in high-demand industries.

How it Works

  1. Individual Assessment & Planning
    Participants assess their strengths and challenges to create a customized service plan.
  2. Dual-Focus Approach
    The program blends academic support—tutoring, GED/high school, drop‑out prevention—with career development—work readiness, internships, job shadowing, soft skills, and occupational training.
  3. Support Systems
    Services include adult mentoring (12+ months), leadership development, financial literacy, life coaching, counseling, job placement, and follow‑up support.

Services Offered

  • Tutoring & study‑skills
  • Alternative secondary school/GED prep
  • Work-based learning experiences (paid and unpaid)
    • (internships, job shadowing, pre‑apprenticeships)
  • Occupational/vocational training
  • Leadership development
  • Supportive Services
  • Adult mentoring & follow‑up (≥12 months)
  • Career exploration & labor market insights
  • Financial literacy & entrepreneurship workshops
  • Comprehensive guidance & counseling

How to Qualify

Participants must be in one of two categories to be eligible to receive services: in-school or out-of-school. 

In-school youth must be attending school, 14-21 years old, low-income and have one or more of the following characteristics:

  • Basic skills deficient
  • An English learner
  • Homeless/runaway/out-of-home placement/foster care/aged out of foster care
  • An offender
  • Pregnant or parenting
  • An individual with a disability
  • Require additional assistance to complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment.

Out-of-school youth must not be attending any school, 16-24 years old, and have one or more of the following characteristics:

  • A school dropout
  • Within age of compulsory school attendance, but has not attended school for at least the most recent complete school year calendar quarter
  • Recipient of a secondary school diploma or equivalent who is low-income and basic skills deficient or an English language learner
  • Subject to the juvenile or adult justice system
  • Homeless/runaway/foster care/aged out of foster care/out-of-home placement
  • Pregnant or parenting
  • An individual with a disability
  • A low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment

Why NCWorks NextGen matters

NCWorks NextGen:

  • Removes barriers to education and employment
  • Builds leadership, life, and job‑readiness skills
  • Offers real-world work experiences
  • Connects youth with caring adult mentors and long-term guidance
  • Prepares participants for high-demand occupations and postsecondary success

How to Apply

Contact your local NCWorks NextGen program through NCWorks Career Centers, listed at www.NCWorks.gov, or contact your local Workforce Development Board for information on local youth services. For help, email Shannon Jones-Hines, Youth Workforce Programs Coordinator.

Youth are welcome to use NCWorks Online to search for jobs and training opportunities in their areas. Registration is free.

 

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