This award provides funding to the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) to work in collaboration with AdvanceNC, a coalition of 12 community colleges, three universities, seven workforce boards, and other workforce entities working with employer stakeholders to build a robust talent pipeline serving the manufacturing community in a 21-county region in central North Carolina. In partnership with Education Design Lab (EDL) and in collaboration with employers, AdvanceNC is developing 10 micro-pathways to standardize training across institutions and to connect learners with high-demand, well-paying jobs. These pathways will permit students to earn micro-credentials at local institutions and pursue advanced training within the region. The initial pathways include Industrial Machinery Mechanic, Maintenance Repair Worker, Electrician, HVAC Technician, and Welding. This initiative anticipates an enrollment of 1,000 learners across the 12 community colleges, resulting in 800 learners earning micro-credentials and third-party credentials. Golden LEAF funds will be used for instructional personnel and equipment at Piedmont Community College, Sandhills Community College, Randolph Community College, Vance Granville Community College, and Central Carolina Community College, the five participating community colleges serving the 12 most rural counties in the region. The project will also leverage $1.4 million from the EDL and funding from NCCCS and My Future NC.
