Governor Josh Stein has instructed the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships to develop recommendations for implementing the new Workforce Pell grants in North Carolina. The Council includes representatives from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, North Carolina Community College System, University of North Carolina System, and North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.
“North Carolina is committed to maximizing Workforce Pell to create new opportunities for learners, employers, and, ultimately, our economy,” said Governor Josh Stein. “These funds will open up doors of opportunity for young people seeking training for high-skill, high-wage jobs.”
The federal government will make this funding available starting July 1, 2026. The program allows students who qualify for Pell grants to use the aid for short-term workforce training programs that last between eight and fifteen weeks. Eligible programs must align with sectors that are high-skill, high-wage, or in demand and count toward academic credit for a certificate or degree.
“With a tradition of collaboration in workforce development that helped make us America’s top state for business, North Carolina is well-positioned to be a national leader in implementing Workforce Pell, strengthening our ability to educate and train talent to meet the needs of growing employers,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, co-chair of the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships. “We look forward to this opportunity for more North Carolinians to gain valuable skills for a variety of in-demand jobs across the state.”
“I’m proud that the North Carolina Community College System is partnering with Governor Stein and our education and workforce colleagues on the Council to support the rollout of Workforce Pell in North Carolina,” said Dr. Jeff Cox, president of the NC Community College System and co-chair of the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships. “This collaborative effort will expand access to short-term, high-quality training programs that connect more North Carolinians to rewarding careers and help meet the workforce needs of employers across our state.”
North Carolina was ranked as CNBC’s Top State for Business in 2025 due to its favorable business environment and skilled workforce (https://www.cnbc.com/2025-top-states-for-business/). To further support economic growth, Governor Stein established the Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships which released its first report in June. The Council aims to increase access to quality jobs by investing in apprenticeships, work-based learning opportunities, industry-recognized credentials and degrees, as well as employer engagement initiatives.
Since January when he took office, Governor Stein has announced almost $21 billion in new private sector investments along with over 28,000 new jobs offering competitive wages across North Carolina.
