Advancing Together: Enhancing NC’s Workforce Through Educational Attainment
As our economy grows, the vast majority of new jobs will require more than a high school diploma. Today, less than half of North Carolinians ages 25-44 are ready for this work. As set by myFutureNC, with the strong support of the North Carolina General Assembly, the Governor, and the education and business communities, the current goal is 2 million North Carolinians with a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree by 2030. But absent intentional action, we face a significant gap between the skills and experience that employers will need and what the state’s labor force will be able to provide. The demand for more workforce talent presents a significant opportunity to improve postsecondary readiness, especially among those who are economically disadvantaged and workers of color.
The 2022 Emerging Issues Forum will bring together local, state and national leaders to call attention to this attainment gap and to the impact of the pandemic on efforts to close it. Because education is fundamentally local in character, a particular focus will be on spurring effective action at the community and regional levels across the state. The importance of effective collaboration will be highlighted, especially the role of the business community in promoting curriculum alignment, offering work-based learning and advocating for a competitive workforce.
Register now.
The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) has scholarships for those interested in participating and who identify ticket price affordability as a significant barrier to participation. Scholarships will provide free admission to the in-person forum. The deadline for scholarship applications is noon on January 14, 2022. Applicants will be notified of their status by January 19, 2022.