August 22, 2024
Golden LEAF supports workforce preparedness projects that increase the number of qualified individuals with skills aligned with current and future needs of North Carolina businesses and prepare students with the technical and life skills necessary to enter work. The Open Grants Program allows applicants to apply for Golden LEAF funding throughout the year. Eligible applicants are governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
At the August meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded three workforce preparedness projects totaling $1,050,000 in Open Grants Program funding. These projects will support workforce preparedness in Cleveland, Martin, Stanly counties.
- $300,000 to Cleveland Community College for equipment to support expansion of the Heavy Equipment Operator program. Funds will be used to purchase additional pieces of equipment such as a compact/autonomous excavator, dirt roller, and tractor.
- $500,000 to Martin Community College to support the expansion of their Emergency Medical Services Simulation Center to significantly increase training for emergency medical services students. Funds will be used for high-fidelity patient simulators, virtual emulators, and advanced audio-visual recording platforms and enable the college to increase the number of students trained as well as to provide additional instruction to improve retention.
- $250,000 to Stanly Community College to support the expansion of the CNC machining program in response to growing need for machinists in the area. Funds will be used for two CNC machines.
At the June meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded two projects totaling $680,000 in Open Grants Program funding. These projects will support workforce preparedness in Cherokee, Edgecombe, and Nash counties.
- $200,000 to Strategic Twin Counties Education Partnership (STEP) in Nash and Edgecombe counties to support staff salary, program-related marketing and outreach, and participant support for a pilot local internship program that facilitates collaboration among school districts, community colleges, community-based organizations, and employers in Nash and Edgecombe counties. STEP will increase the number of participating students, with an expectation that the program will link 45 individuals to a work-based learning opportunity over the two-year grant period, in addition to providing ongoing support to participating students and businesses throughout the internship experience and into employment.
- $480,000 to Tri-County Community College serving Cherokee, Clay, and Graham counties for construction of a new driving pad on the college’s main campus, dedicated solely to the CDL program and the recently launched Heavy Equipment Operator program in response to increased demand. The existing smaller driving pad is shared by the CDL program and the Public Safety program. TCCC expects to serve four times as many CDL students (an additional 126 students) and twice as many HEO students (an additional 35 students).
Organizations awarded workforce preparedness projects by Golden LEAF will gather data to support outcomes including:
- Increase in students earning at least one academic credential (curriculum diploma, certificate, or associate degree/continuing education certificate) in the area funded.
- Increase in students earning at least one industry/third-party certification, license, or other credential (nonacademic) in the area funded.
- Increase in high school students completing CTE pathways in the area funded.
- Increase in secondary or post-secondary students participating in work-based learning.
- Increase in secondary students receiving meaningful exposure and opportunities to explore local career opportunities.
Golden LEAF also looks at narrative outcomes, including students employed, incumbent workers trained, employer input and feedback, survey results, and teacher professional development.
Learn more about Golden LEAF’s Open Grants Program and what components make projects competitive in this program by visiting GoldenLEAF.org/opengrants/.