Operational Guidance | OG 04-2026, Change 1: NC Career Launch Youth Apprenticeship Grant
- Date: August 20, 2026
- Subject: NC Career Launch Youth Apprenticeship Grant
- From: Andrea L. DeSantis, Assistant Secretary for Workforce
Purpose:
To transmit the guidelines and application for the administration of the NC Career Launch Youth Apprenticeship Grant to Local Area Workforce Development Boards (WDBs).
This Change updates guidance by removing the requirement for youth participants to be enrolled in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I programs and rescinds OG 04-2026. The procedures herein supersede all previous policies, procedures, and guidelines regarding the NC Career Launch Apprenticeship Grant.
Background:
Funds from the Governor’s Reserve awarded from the US Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) will be dedicated to NC Career Launch (NCCL), which will be used to grow youth apprenticeships for high schools across the state in a variety of industries and provide financial support for both employers and students. Pre-apprenticeships are a key of work-based learning strategy, helping to build talent pipelines, prepare youth for careers, and support skills development to support transition to a registered apprenticeships and other Work-Based Learning and post-secondary pathways opportunities.
The WDBs will partner with the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) to co-enroll In-School Youth (ISY) (11th and 12th graders) into NCCL youth pre-apprenticeship programs and Wagner-Peyser. This funding will be used to support training-related expenses such as tuition and required program fees and paid work experiences. It may also be used for supportive services such as transportation, childcare, and when training-related expenses are not covered as training costs (such as work attire, books, fees, and school supplies). Supportive services may be used only when they support a youth’s participation in NCCL pre-apprenticeship activities. Administrative costs are capped at 5%.
WDBs must ensure that all individuals served through the NCCL grant are tracked in NCWorks Online. Individuals must have an enrollment in Wagner-Peyser, a completed agency-defined program application, and the appropriate service codes. The Division of Workforce Solutions will provide a keying guide, and Q&A document, which will be maintained on the Staff Online Resources Page located in NCWorks and on the NC Career Launch webpage within the NC Department of Commerce website.
The first appropriation of the funds for Program Year (PY) 2026 will be used to support existing active NCCL programs throughout the State of North Carolina. PY 2026 funding will focus on scaling existing programs and developing new opportunities across the state. NCCL must include the following features:
- Postsecondary coursework in which students earn college credit that counts towards an associate degree at a North Carolina community college.
- Work-based learning hours with an employer
Action:
WDBs must partner with NCBCE to identify existing programs and/or develop new programs. Once programs are identified, WDBs may request NC Career Launch Youth Apprenticeship Grant funds by submitting a completed NC Career Launch Youth Apprenticeship Grant Funding Request Form (attached) to Shannon Jones-Hines at shannon.jones-hines@commerce.nc.gov. The maximum amount a WDB can be awarded is $250,000. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until available funds are fully expended.
Effective Date:
Immediately
Expiration:
September 30, 2027
Contact:
Industry and Talent Development
Attachment:
NC Career Launch Youth Apprenticeship Grant Funding Request Form