March in North Carolina is now officially centered around educational engagement, with Governor Josh Stein having declared the month as Students@Work℠ Month, according to a recent announcement by the Governor's office. This initiative, celebrating its 15th anniversary, aims to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace by introducing students to the realities of various professions.

Over 25,000 middle schoolers from local communities will get a taste of the working world through both virtual and in-person career explorations, offering a direct window into fields such as clean energy, health care, and technology, Governor Stein stated, "Our students are our future: the future of our workforce and the future of our state," emphasizing the importance of this hands-on learning experience. The array of industries participating in this effort also include finance, skilled trades, and public service, providing wide-ranging opportunities for these young minds to find their calling.

A slew of businesses such as Enbridge Gas, State Employees’ Credit Union, and Mission Health are on board, collaborating closely with educators to host these informative sessions. The initiative harnesses North Carolina's work-based learning platform, the Navigator, to streamline these connections and facilitate career pathway exploration for students by engaging with various members of the business and education sectors.

The North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction serve as the primary partners for the Students@Work℠ program the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is also participating, working together to ensure that education curriculums are aligned with workforce readiness. The NCBCE, established in 1983, has been instrumental in fostering a bond between the business community and education policy makers, working out of the Office of the Governor to support state education initiatives.