CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — The N.C. Department of Commerce has awarded $125,000 to a regional partnership that serves Cabarrus County. The grant goes to Charlotte Works and the Centralina Workforce Development Board, which together cover eight counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union.
Gov. Josh Stein announced the grants Oct. 6. The state gave out $660,000 in all to 13 local workforce boards. The Charlotte-area partnership received the largest award. Most other boards got $50,000.
The boards will use the money to find new ways to connect with local businesses. That includes services tied to work-based learning, such as apprenticeships. The release does not say how the Charlotte-area boards plan to spend their share. Commerce says the approach will vary by region.
The grants support a state goal of bringing 50,000 employers into the effort to build North Carolina's talent pipeline.
Cabarrus County businesses that want to take part can fill out an interest form at commerce.nc.gov/employers. Workforce staff will then follow up and connect the company to hiring and training services. Employers can also contact a local workforce board or an NCWorks Career Center through NCWorks.gov.
The program is funded entirely by the U.S. Department of Labor under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
