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.
Projects awarded in this priority area 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 funds can be used for the following to support a new or the expansion of an existing workforce training program that will meet the demand of local employers:
- Equipment or materials
- Building construction/renovation
- Start-up personnel
At the February 2025 meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $8 million for 16 workforce preparedness projects through the Open Grants Program and the Community-Based Grants Initiative in the Southwestern Prosperity Zone. These projects support internships and apprenticeships, advanced manufacturing training, agriculture training, healthcare training, and other high-demand trades. Workforce projects were awarded to support the local demand in the area or region.
Internships/Apprenticeships
- $297,860 to Carteret Community College to create a pipeline from internship to apprenticeship in healthcare, trades, and hospitality/culinary.
- $166,000 to Elizabeth City Pasquotank Public Schools to establish high school academies in which students will participate in workforce preparedness in the areas of aviation, agriscience, and engineering.
Agriculture Training
- $350,000 to Harrells Christian Academy located in Sampson County – in partnership with the University of Mount Olive and Sampson Community College – to provide hands-on training for students pursuing a career in animal science and agricultural mechanics to help fill high-demand local jobs.
- $300,000 to Anson County Schools to offer CTE pathways in the areas of animal sciences, agriculture sciences, and natural resources.
Healthcare Training
- $405,000 to Beaufort County Community College to expand its nursing programs to allow it to meet its capacity for its Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nursing (PN) programs to meet local industry demand and to address the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals.
- $622,662.98 to Cleveland Community College to establish a Health Science Academy at Cleveland Community College, which will include health science training programs in nursing, medical assisting, medical sonography, radiography, and surgical technology, to address a workforce shortage in Cleveland County.
- $360,590.58 to Cleveland County Schools to expand Cleveland County School’s healthcare education pathway participation specifically to at-risk students at CCS’s alternative school, Turning Point Academy, to address a workforce shortage in Cleveland County.
- $290,408.52 to Gardner-Webb University to implement a Summer Bridge Program for high school students and to enhance the hands-on experiences of its nursing students to address a workforce shortage in Cleveland County.
- $1,034,600 to Gaston College to support the establishment of the Lincoln County Health Academy in partnership with Lincoln County Schools and with Atrium Health Lincoln for pathways to careers in healthcare occupations to meet the healthcare employment needs for Lincoln County.
Advanced Manufacturing Training
- $975,000 to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to expand advanced manufacturing programs to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s North Campus in Rowan County to meet regional industry demand.
- $325,000 to Rowan-Salisbury School System to start a Global Logistics Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway at Jesse C. Carson High School to enhance Rowan-Salisbury School System’s existing Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering pathways to meet local industry needs.
- $480,000 to South Piedmont Community College Foundation to support South Piedmont Community College’s establishment of a BioWork certificate course at the Old Charlotte Highway campus located in Union County to help meet regional industry demand.
Training in High-Demand Trades
- $500,000 to South Piedmont Community College Foundation to establish an HVAC-R training program in Anson County to meet significant local employer demand.
- $1,250,000 to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to expand automotive technology pathway opportunities to its Cabarrus Business Technology Complex annex in Cabarrus County to meet regional employer demand.
- $125,000 to Gaston College to enhance Gaston College’s welding program to better meet the needs of local industry.
- $750,000 to Stanly Community College Foundation to support Stanly Community College’s establishment of dual-enrollment pathways at Albemarle High School and South Stanly High School to meet regional demand for technology graduates.
To learn more about how to apply for funding for Workforce Preparedness projects, visit Open Grants Program, Economic Catalyst Program, SITE Program, and Community-Based Grants Initiative pages.