by Think Currituck, on 1/7/19 9:59 AM
North Carolina is getting noticed for its workplace development efforts.
The state rose from fourth to third in the Atlantic region in a recent analysis of state workforce development activities conducted by Site Selection Magazine. North Carolina ranked higher in its region than Florida, Maryland, South Carolina, Delaware and West Virginia. Georgia placed second and Virginia took the top spot in Site Selection's 2019 list.
Rather than rank specific state workforce training programs or STEM initiatives, Site Selection looks regionally at the state contexts in which such programs are applied.
Site Selection noted that the ranking components included: (1) CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business 2018 Workforce and Education sub-ranking; (2) Forbes’ Best States for Business 2018 Labor Supply sub-ranking; (3) U.S. News’ 2018 Best States for Education rankings; (4) ACT National Career Readiness Certificates (NCRC) Rankings; and (5) average number of workforce development enactments passed in state legislatures (most recent data).
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Workforce development has been a primary focus for North Carolina Governor Cooper, who launched his NC Job Ready initiative in February 2018. The initiative aims to help people get good-paying jobs to support themselves and their families by investing in workforce development and job training.
“Business leaders tell me time and again that they have job openings but can’t find workers with the right skills,” Gov. Cooper said. “A better trained workforce can help businesses grow and give workers new opportunities.”
“Getting North Carolina job ready means helping people get the skills they need for better-paying jobs and then connecting businesses to those workers,” Gov. Cooper added. “An educated, well-trained workforce will strengthen North Carolina companies, attract new businesses, and ensure we can adapt to a changing economy."
Click here to see the full set of 2019 Regional Workforce Development Rankings.