North Carolina's Governor Josh Stein recently celebrated a significant move towards reinforcing the state's workforce with the introduction of the Siemens Foundation's Careers Electric™ initiative, a collective effort to foster pathways into high-quality electrical careers. The program, which aims to train 25,000 North Carolinians within its first decade, represents a $9.25 million investment and is a partnership that includes the North Carolina Governor's Office among others. In a statement obtained by the North Carolina Governor's Office, Governor Stein pointed out the state's prime position to lead the nation in building a skilled electrical workforce, attributable to a strong workforce ecosystem, business-friendly climate, and rising demand for electrification.
David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation, noted the existing skills gap and worker shortages in skilled trades and sees Careers Electric™ as a scalable solution that can provide financial security and middle-class stability, as per the conversation he had with the Governor's Office. Dr. Jeff Cox, President of the North Carolina Community College System, highlighted the significance of community colleges in pairing with employers and initiatives like Careers Electric™, ensuring the state is prepared with the necessary skilled labor to spur further economic growth, despite the growing need for such labor that seems to be ever-present.
Along with launching Careers Electric™, Governor Stein hosted a roundtable discussion featuring representatives from Siemens USA, ABB, Caterpillar, Duke Energy, the National Association of Manufacturers, and more, where the importance of youth apprenticeships was accentuated. The Governor shared his administration’s rendezvous doubling the number of apprentices in North Carolina and encouraged employers to participate in developing high-quality youth apprenticeship programs, especially in sectors akin to electrification.
As part of bolstering the local workforce, the Governor will allocate discretionary funds to support NC Career Launch with objectives aimed at ramping up youth apprenticeship programs — this move follows the release of a report by the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships, which laid out goals and strategies for workforce enhancement these included an ambition to double state apprenticeships, aligning employer leadership, stakeholders, clear job pathways, and results accountability forming a workforce system beneficial both to job seekers and employers.
In January, North Carolina was recognized by Site Selection Magazine as the 2026 Top State for Workforce Development, a notable accolade that underscores the state's diverse initiatives such as its robust apprenticeship and workforce programs. The forthcoming America 250 Celebration set for March 7 also offers Governor Stein a platform to herald the state’s achievements in laying out workforce development paths consistent with the future of industry and technology.
