Amid a visit to Charlotte's Coca-Cola Consolidated facility, Governor Josh Stein not only toured the premises but also engaged with both the leadership and apprentices participating in the company's partnership program with Central Piedmont Community College. Designed to cultivate the future workforce in areas of manufacturing, equipment repair, and logistics, this initiative aligns with Stein's educational and economic vision for North Carolina. In a statement obtained by the Governor's Office, Stein expressed, "Every North Carolinian deserves a shot at a brighter future and that shouldn’t necessarily require a traditional four-year degree."
The significance of Stein's recent tour comes on the heels of CNBC's designation of North Carolina as the top state for business, an accolade attributed in part to the state’s robust workforce. The Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships, established through Executive Order No. 11 back in March, has recently issued a report delineating strategies to extend job access, including investments in apprenticeship and technical education, engaging employers to recognize, and meet industry needs, and to ascertain that each student in North Carolina can pursue a path leading to employment, education, or military enlistment.
From the Governor's Office announcement, it's clear that Stein's economic measures are resonating, with the Governor having announced investments over $18 billion and more than 24,000 new jobs earmarked for the state since his tenure began. These steps, encompassing the recent signing of Senate Bill 124, aim to reduce the requirement for a four-year degree in various state government positions, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to diversifying the qualifications for North Carolina’s workforce.
Key to Governor Stein’s policy is the idea that opportunity should be as universal as the state's commitment to its people. "Opportunities like Coca-Cola Consolidated's apprenticeship program allow students to pursue their interests in high-demand fields and set them up for success in the job market," Stein mentioned in a statement obtained by the Governor's Office.
