Topics Related to Workforce

Today Governor Josh Stein joined NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai and leadership at Broughton Hospital in Morganton to announce the STEP-NC: Health Care Program, the first health care apprenticeship program within state government. In partnership with the North Carolina Business Committee for Education, the initiative begins with pilot programs at Broughton Hospital and J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center.

Today Governor Josh Stein visited the Careers Electric Summer Electrical Academy at Cleveland Community College, where he met with high school students enrolled in one of 12 academies launching this summer as part of a landmark investment in electrical workforce development. The Governor’s visit underscored his administration’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality, career-ready training and creating clear pathways into well-paying, in-demand electrical jobs for North Carolinians. 

Governor Josh Stein’s North Carolina AI Leadership Council released the

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 70 counties, decreased in five, and remained unchanged in 25 in May 2026. Hyde and Edgecombe Counties each had the highest unemployment rate at 5.2 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Thirteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases and two remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.7 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.0 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.5 percent. 

Today Governor Josh Stein and the NCWorks Commission, North Carolina’s workforce development board, announced the opening of applications for eligible training providers seeking approval to participate in the new Workforce Pell grant program. The program expands access to federal financial aid for students enrolled in short-term workforce training programs.

The state’s seasonally adjusted May 2026 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, remaining unchanged from April’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.3 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 11,988 over the month to 5,086,003 and decreased 2,157 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,998 over the month to 194,590 and decreased 7,164 over the year.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced Supreme Nonwoven Inc., a leading manufacturer of advanced nonwoven materials and products, will create 50 new jobs in Davidson County. The company will invest $25.8 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Lexington. 

Today Governor Josh Stein joined state and local officials to break ground on JetZero’s first commercial airplane manufacturing facility at the Piedmont Triad International Airport. JetZero’s flagship manufacturing operations will create more than 14,500 high-wage aerospace manufacturing jobs – the largest economic development project in North Carolina history based on job commitment. 

The North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), through the generous support of the Siemens Foundation’s groundbreaking $9.5 million total investment into the Careers Electric initiative, is launching 12 Summer Electrical Academies skilling 220 students at community colleges across North Carolina. In February, Governor Stein and the Siemens Foundation launched the program to train 25,000 North Carolinians for electrical careers within 10 years.  

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 57 counties, increased in eight, and remained unchanged in 35 in April 2026. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.7 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Eight of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases, one experienced a rate increase, and six remained the same. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.6 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.0 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.4 percent.