NCWorks Commission Business Session Minutes for February 2026
NCWorks Commission Quarterly Business Session
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
NC State University McKimmon Center| Webinar
1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. | Raleigh, N.C.
Minutes
Present:
Chair Tom Rabon, Anita Bachmann, Daniel Briggs, Shawn Brown, Sherry Carpenter, Rodney Carson, Wesley Davis, Kristi Day (Superintendent Mo Green), Andrea Desantis, Kindl Detar (Governor Josh Stein), Robert Doreauk, Chris Egan (Secretary Devdutta Sangvai), Jeffrey Frederick, Brian Floyd, Byron Hicks (President Peter Hans), Stephen Hunt, Suzanne Johnson, Himanshu Karvir, Paul Lawler, Secretary Lee Lilley, Marti Mathews Martin, Darla McGlamery, Olalah Njenga, Sharene Pierce, Cheryl Richards, Mark Richardson, Maria Richardson (Secretary Gabriel Esparza), Aharon Segal, Kathie Smith, Tammy Simmons, Gregory Thompson, Pam Townsend, Robert Van Dyke, Hope Williams, and Annie Izod
Absent:
Chris Arabia, Christopher Gergen, Jim Hartman, John Loyack (President Jeff Cox), and Carnessa Ottelin
Welcome
The Quarterly Business Session meeting opened at 1:00 p.m. with Chair Tom Rabon welcoming members to the first business session of 2026. Chair Rabon thanked the McKimmon Center team for their continued partnership and outlined a full agenda, including a presentation on Workforce Pell and several action items requiring discussion and votes.
Updates were shared on the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships, which now meets quarterly on the same day as the NCWorks Commission. The Council brings together state leaders, employers, educators, and workforce experts to advance a coordinated statewide workforce strategy focused on apprenticeships, work-based learning, and aligning training with employer needs. February was also recognized as Black History Month, with encouragement to explore and support Black history and culture across the state.
Workforce Updates
Chair Rabon highlighted North Carolina’s strong economic performance in 2025, including more than 35,000 new jobs and $24.1 billion in investments. The state received multiple national recognitions, including being named the #1 state for business by CNBC and #1 in workforce by Site Selection Magazine. These achievements were attributed to the state’s strong talent pipeline and alignment between education, workforce development, and economic growth. Several new members were welcomed to the commission, Anita Bachmann, Brian Floyd, Aharon Segal, and Kathie Smith. Chair Rabon also recognized outgoing members Dr. Cheryl Richards, Nikki Nissen, Rebecca Axford, Kim Toler, and Cynthia Speight. Commission staff member Ken Allen was recognized for his recent retirement after 22 years with the Department of Commerce. Appreciation was also extended to Mark Richardson for his leadership of the Outreach and Advocacy Task Force, which has strengthened legislative engagement and collaboration with local workforce development boards. North Carolina’s economy and workforce continued to show strong momentum, with several major developments highlighted. In December, Governor Stein announced more than $7 million in Southeast Crescent Regional Commission grants supporting job creation, infrastructure, and workforce development across 15 counties. Early January brought additional activity, including Governor Stein and Secretary Lilly’s visit to Machine Specialties Inc. (MSI) in Whitsett, where they emphasized the state’s leadership in workforce development and the importance of apprenticeships. MSI’s apprenticeship partners and current apprentice Dylan Clark were recognized for their contributions. Several major economic announcements followed. Johnson & Johnson revealed a multi‑billion‑dollar expansion in Wilson, expected to create roughly 500 new jobs in advanced drug manufacturing. NC careers.org, the state’s career development platform, surpassed 1 million users (a 95% increase over the previous year) solidifying its role as a central resource for students, job seekers, and workforce professionals. Genentech also announced a significant expansion in Holly Springs, doubling its investment to approximately $2 billion and reinforcing confidence in the region’s workforce. Local economic growth was also celebrated, including the City of Claremont’s announcement that Coley Home will add 45 new jobs and invest $9 million in a new manufacturing facility.
NC Career Launch
The meeting then transitioned to a virtual update from Kindl Detar, Senior Policy Advisor for Governor Josh Stein, who shared details about Governor Stein’s new initiative, NC Career Launch. This program will use Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Governor’s Discretionary Funds to expand high‑quality youth apprenticeships for 11th and 12th graders, strengthen employer partnerships, and support local workforce development boards. Initial efforts will focus on expanding opportunities in Western North Carolina. NC Career Launch directly supports the Governor’s goal of doubling apprenticeships in North Carolina over the next four years. Kindl Detar highlighted the strong partnerships needed to achieve this expansion, including the North Carolina Business Committee for Education, ApprenticeshipNC, local workforce development boards, public schools, community colleges, and employers. The Governor issued a call encouraging more employers to incorporate youth apprenticeships into their talent development strategies. Kindl closed by expressing enthusiasm for the work ahead and appreciation for the Commission’s support.
November Commission Meeting Minutes Approval
Chair Rabon opened the business portion of the meeting by calling for approval of the minutes from the November 19th meeting, noting that copies had been provided in members’ packets. After inviting any comments or corrections and hearing none, he entertained a motion to approve. Chris Egan moved to approve the minutes, and Cheryl Richards seconded the motion. A voice vote followed, with all in favor and no one opposed. Chair Rabon declared the motion carried, and the minutes were approved as written before moving on to the next agenda item.
Workforce Pell
The next agenda item introduced a presentation by Dr. Andrea DeSantis, Assistant Secretary of the Division of Workforce Solutions. Dr. DeSantis provided an overview of the new Workforce Pell program, a short‑term workforce development grant emerging from the existing Pell Grant structure. She explained that traditional Pell Grants support degree‑seeking students, but Workforce Pell is designed to fund short‑term programs 8 to 15 weeks in length that quickly prepare students for in‑demand jobs.
Dr. DeSantis outlined the program’s high standards, including requirements that 70% of students complete the program and 70% secure employment within 180 days. Programs must also be stackable and portable, ensuring students can build toward degrees and that credentials are valued by multiple employers. She emphasized that Workforce Pell involves multiple stakeholders: institutions offering programs, the Governor, the Secretaries of Education and Labor, employers, and importantly, the State Workforce Development Board (NCWorks Commission), which will play a consultative role in program approval.
She also reviewed the rapid implementation timeline. After Congress passed the bill in July, federal rulemaking began in December, with final rules expected in the spring and applications opening in July. North Carolina has been preparing since November, with the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeship leading early policy design. State agencies and higher education partners are now working together to define key criteria such as high‑wage, high‑skill, in‑demand fields, stackability, and portability.
Dr. DeSantis continued her presentation by noting that Workforce Pell may also support the related instruction component of apprenticeships, an option allowed under federal statute. She emphasized that this alignment could further strengthen the state’s apprenticeship expansion efforts. She outlined the upcoming process: a draft Workforce Pell policy statement will be developed over the next several months, released for public comment in April, and brought before the NCWorks Commission for approval in May. The goal is to open applications soon after and have an initial group of programs ready for federal submission by July. She explained that a subset (potentially the full Commission) will participate in reviewing and approving program applications, and staff will remain in close communication as the process is designed.
Workforce Pell is a federal initiative designed to expand Pell Grant eligibility to short‑term workforce training programs, enabling more learners to quickly enter high‑demand fields and helping employers address ongoing shortages of skilled workers. The program applies to training that lasts between 8 and 15 weeks, or 150 to 599 clock hours, and requires participating programs to meet strict performance benchmarks, including a 70 percent completion rate and a 70 percent job‑placement rate within 180 days. To qualify, programs must also be stackable and portable, ensuring that students can build on their training and carry their credentials across employers or regions. While Workforce Pell is expected to roll out gradually, it represents a significant opportunity for states and training providers. Not all programs will meet the requirements immediately; some may need redesign, but the initiative aligns strongly with employer needs and supports broader statewide workforce strategies.
Dr. DeSantis concluded by stressing that Workforce Pell will not fund every short-term program but is intended to support high‑quality offerings that meet employer needs and prepare students for strong local jobs. She acknowledged that some programs would require redesign but expressed optimism about the opportunity. After taking questions, the Commission thanked her for the presentation and affirmed its commitment to partnership as implementation moves forward.
Committee Updates
Education and Credential Attainment Committee
The meeting then transitioned to committee reports. Chair, Sherry Carpenter delivered the update from the Education and Credential Attainment Committee, which met on January 27 and welcomed several new members. The committee reaffirmed its mission to strengthen the workforce through credential attainment and received updates on the annual program review and the state’s unified plan. Workforce Pell was identified as a top priority for 2026, along with employer engagement, prior learning credit, particularly for veterans and outreach to targeted populations such as individuals with disabilities, youth, and justice‑involved individuals. The committee will coordinate closely with the Governor’s Council and the Outreach and Advocacy Task Force. Sherry also reminded members about the My Future NC State of Educational Attainment virtual event.
Apprenticeships and Work‑Based Learning Committee
Next, Chair, Tammy Simmons presented the Apprenticeships and Work‑Based Learning Committee report. The committee met on January 28 to review performance results, receive updates from the Executive Director’s Council, and continue advancing apprenticeship and work‑based learning priorities. Members reflected on Governor Stein’s January 5 visit to MSI and appreciated the opportunity for apprentice Dylan Clark to introduce him. The committee also reviewed WIOA funding updates and received a detailed report from the Governor’s Council’s Applied Workforce Experiences Committee, which is focused on expanding apprenticeships, strengthening employer engagement, and improving education‑to‑workforce partnerships. The committee continues to support the Reentry, Empowerment, and Workforce Integration Initiative, which aims to improve employment pathways for justice‑involved individuals. Tammy closed by outlining key action steps, including developing youth employment best practices, strengthening employer engagement, and preparing early‑win strategies for upcoming meetings.
Future Ready Workforce and Employer Partnerships Committee
The meeting continued with a report from Chair Mark Richardson of the Future Ready Workforce and Employer Partnerships Committee. He shared that the committee met on January 20 to review the draft NCWorks Commission Biennium Strategic Plan, which aligns with the 11 goals and 30 strategies outlined in the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships report. To strengthen alignment, the committee has been renamed “Future Ready Workforce and Employer Engagement.” Members also reviewed how employer partnerships are embedded in the Unified Plan and heard performance updates showing that more than 80,000 employers were served by NCWorks partners. The committee also discussed the Workforce Readiness Assessment Tool prototype, designed to help small businesses become employers and simplify access to workforce resources.
Modernizing and Aligning the Workforce System Committee
Next, Dr. Cheryl Richards delivered the report for the Modernizing and Aligning the Workforce System Committee, which met on February 2 and welcomed new member Anita Bachmann. The committee received updates on the 2025 Annual Program Review and the WIOA Unified State Plan update. Cheryl presented four Commission Policy Statements (CPS) recommended for approval: CPS 06 2022 Change 2, updating monitoring and audit thresholds; CPS 01 2026, issuing 2026 plan instructions for local workforce development boards; CPS 02 2026, outlining the selection process for service providers and one‑stop operators; and CPS 03 2026, establishing a new process for boards seeking to provide WIOA career services in‑house. The committee also reviewed and voted to advance the 2026–2028 NCWorks Commission Strategic Plan and the North Carolina WIOA Unified State Plan update.
Dr. Richards noted this would be her final meeting as committee chair and announced that Sharene Pierce will assume the role of chair moving forward. The Commission thanked her for her leadership. Dr. DeSantis then highlighted two of the proposed policy changes, noting they were developed collaboratively with local workforce development boards to provide greater flexibility while maintaining accountability. With no further questions, the meeting transitioned to a strategic plan overview.
NCWorks Commission’s 2026—2028 Strategic Plan
Dr. Annie Izod provided a brief review of how the NCWorks Commission’s two‑year strategic plan aligns with the Governor’s Council goals. She explained how the committees’ work maps to the Council’s objectives, including credential attainment, apprenticeship expansion, employer engagement, sector partnerships, and system modernization. She emphasized the importance of outreach and alignment across committees and noted that the draft plan was available for review in members’ folders.
North Carolina WIOA Unified State Plan Update
The meeting continued with James Bain providing an overview of North Carolina’s required two‑year modification to the WIOA Unified State Plan. He explained that this update builds on the four‑year plan approved in 2024 and must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor in March. James noted that the Modernizing and Aligning the Workforce System Committee had already approved the draft on February 2. He emphasized that the update outlines the state’s strategic vision, goals, economic analysis, workforce characteristics, and program‑specific strategies across all four WIOA titles. The plan is grounded in Governor Stein’s workforce vision and the 11 goals and 30 strategies developed by the Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships.
James highlighted the extensive collaboration behind the plan, involving roughly 40 representatives from state agencies, local workforce development boards, education partners, employers, and community organizations. He also noted that the update aligns with the five pillars of America’s Talent Strategy 2025, emphasizing industry‑driven approaches, worker mobility, integrated systems, accountability, and local flexibility. He concluded by stating that the update reflects a strong, coordinated statewide strategy and positions North Carolina well for the next two years.
Approval of the 2026—2028 NCWorks Commission Strategic Plan, WIOA Unified State Plan Update, and Commission Policy Statements
Following the presentations, the Commission proceeded to vote on the NCWorks Commission 2026–2028 Strategic Plan. With no questions raised, the plan was approved unanimously. Members then voted on the 2026 WIOA Unified State Plan update, which also passed unanimously. The Commission next approved four policy statements—CPS 06‑2022 Change 2, CPS 01‑2026, CPS 02‑2026, and CPS 03‑2026 covering monitoring requirements, local area plan modifications, service provider selection, and procedures for boards seeking to provide WIOA services, in-house. All four were unanimously approved.
Final Updates
Before closing, members were reminded of the 2026 meeting schedule. Dr. Annie Izod then shared several upcoming events, including the North Carolina Employment and Training Association’s Spring Conference in Wilmington on May 6–8 and the 2026 Emerging Issues Forum on February 25, held simultaneously in Asheville, Winston‑Salem, and Morehead City. This year’s forum will focus on water infrastructure challenges, workforce shortages, and emerging contaminants. She encouraged members to participate and noted that registration information was available.
Closing Remarks
The final portion of the meeting began with Chair Rabin recognizing Mark Richardson, who introduced a special guest, Dr. Sylvia Cox, President of Rockingham Community College. Mark emphasized the essential role community colleges play in workforce development and encouraged Commission members to stay closely connected with their local institutions. Dr. Cox expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to speak and highlighted the community college system’s commitment to meeting students where they are and preparing them for meaningful careers. She underscored the transformative impact of apprenticeships and work‑based learning, noting how these programs change not only individual lives but entire families. She also praised the strong partnerships between community colleges, NCWorks centers, K–12 schools, and universities, all of which contribute to North Carolina’s national leadership in workforce development.
Dr. Cox’s remarks were followed by additional appreciation from Commission members, who acknowledged her dedication, including her attendance at the state apprenticeship conference even before becoming president. The Commission expressed gratitude for the community college system’s ongoing contributions to the state’s workforce ecosystem.
With no further business brought forward, Chair Rabin reminded members of the next meeting, which is scheduled for May 13 at the McKimmon Center. He then wished everyone safe travels. The meeting was then formally adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Annie Izod
Approved May 13, 2026