On a notable visit to Wake Technical Community College, Governor Josh Stein, alongside Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt, proclaimed February as Career and Technical Education month, highlighting the administration's commitment to workforce development in North Carolina, according to the Governor's office. During their tour of the college's auto tech labs, the Governor engaged with students, faculty, and business leaders to hash out strategies for enhancing North Carolina's workforce capabilities.
Describing his vision for the state's future, Stein took steps that would possibly propel North Carolina to the forefront of apprenticeship opportunities, "We intend to make North Carolina the #1 state for apprenticeships in the nation," he said during the visit, as reported by the Governor's office; adding that career and technical education is fundamental for constructing an inclusive economy and that collaboration with community colleges and corporate entities is crucial for nurturing the workforce needed. Lieutenant Governor Hunt echoed this sentiment, recognizing community colleges as pivotal for opportunity and workforce training, expressing eagerness to collaborate on such initiatives.
Dr. Scott Ralls, President of Wake Tech, expressed enthusiasm for the Governor's campus visit, an institution that boasts nearly 50,000 career technical students and over 150 corporate apprenticeship partners, which he referred to as home to "some of the best workforce education facilities in the country," as mentioned on the Office of the Governor website. The proclamation not only spotlights the significance of technical education but also reaffirms the Governor's pledge to invest in it.
With the economy and job market at the center of state policy, Governor Stein's emphasis on the strides in workforce development and job training, demonstrates an aspiration to break new ground by bolstering apprenticeships, investing in community college programs, and responding to the high-demand industries, all aimed to hand North Carolinians the keys to success, a commitment that was echoed in his public statements and firmly backed by the Lieutenant Governor's support for training and apprenticeship programs that span the entirety of the state.
