October 14, 2026
Dear North Carolina Workforce Professionals,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 NCWorks Partnership Conference!
Every year, this event brings together workforce professionals, educators, employers, and community partners from across North Carolina. I hope you enjoy the opportunity to learn from one another, reconnect with colleagues, and make new connections.
The work you do matters. Every day, you help people find jobs, build new skills, and create better futures for themselves and their families. You also help employers find the talent they need to grow and succeed. Your work makes a real difference in communities across our state, and I want to thank you for all that you do.
This is an exciting time for North Carolina, as we move forward with our new “First in Opportunity” strategic economic development plan. The plan was shaped by input from hundreds of people representing 91 counties, reflecting our belief that the best ideas come from working together. That spirit of collaboration continues to drive our success. This year, CNBC ranked North Carolina #1 for its economy and #3 for its workforce, highlighting the strength of the people and partnerships that make our state so competitive. As we continue creating new opportunities across our state, the NCWorks network will play an important role in helping people and businesses succeed.
I encourage you to make the most of this conference: Attend a session that interests you, meet someone new, and share ideas. You never know what conversation could lead to a new partnership or a fresh way to serve your community.
Thank you for your hard work, your partnership, and your commitment to serving North Carolinians. I hope you have a wonderful conference, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together.
Sincerely,
Secretary Lee Lilley
North Carolina Department of Commerce