Workforce Preparedness

Golden LEAF supports workforce projects that help close the skills gap and increase the pool of highly qualified individuals with skills aligned to North Carolina businesses’ current and future needs. We fund projects that demonstrate a market demand for skilled workers and aim at developing skill sets required by businesses looking to locate or expand in rural communities.

Projects awarded in this priority area will gather data to support outcomes including:

• Increase in students completing at least one curriculum program in the area funded.
• Increase in students completing at least one continuing education course or program in the area funded.
• Increase in students earning at least one industry/third party certification, license, or other credential (non-academic) in the area funded.
• Increase in students completing CTE pathways in the area funded.
• Increase in students participating in work-based learning.
• Increase in students receiving meaningful exposure and opportunities to explore local career opportunities.

As well as narrative outcomes including: students employed; incumbent workers trained; employer input and feedback; survey results; etc.

Projects are awarded in this priority area through most Golden LEAF programs. Please review the information and links below to determine which program might be best for your project.