North Carolina’s workforce development network comprises an extensive system of nationally-recognized workforce development organizations that work collaboratively to provide North Carolina's businesses with a workforce that is talented and qualified, and to train that workforce to reflect the productive and innovative culture necessary to ensure long-term success in today's economy.
Our workforce development programs are initiated on the statewide level by the N.C. Commission on Workforce Development and administered on the local level by workforce development boards.
The workforce development network partners supplying cost-saving recruiting, screening and training services includes the North Carolina Department of Commerce, local workforce development boards, the North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina Employment Security Commission (ESC), and a variety of other related public and private organizations.
Recruitment and Screening
The network uses a range of value-added recruitment services including:
- Coordinated communications and outreach strategy to raise awareness about job opportunities.
- Job openings posted on N.C. Job Bank website, as well as other public Internet access points.
- A website dedicated to the company’s new and expanding recruitment efforts.
- Special events such as job fairs and on-campus recruiting.
- Development of strategic partnerships with local education, industry, and community organizations.
Screening and assessment services use trained, professional employment consultants who provide:
- Applicant screening to ensure that businesses are referred only qualified candidates.
- Management of applicant flow onsite at JobLink Centers or through web-based screening, telephone screening, or in person by trained recruitment specialists.
- Office facilities and equipment for company representatives at JobLink Career Centers, university career placement offices or other facilities to conduct job fairs, orientation, and applicant interviews.
- Recommendations for employment testing issues including test locators, medical exams, achievement tests, aptitude tests, and personality tests.
- Ongoing assistance for individuals who do not meet requirements, to further strengthen the workforce and help to establish good individual and community relations for the company.
- Savings on hiring of Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program participants that historically have difficulty obtaining and retaining jobs.
Tailored Training Services
Our workforce development network of agencies offers customized training options that include established programs as well as customized curricula tailored to address specific needs and help businesses and workers keep pace with rapidly changing technology.
- On-the-Job Training (OJT), through the workforce development JobLink Career Centers, combines training resources with employment opportunities to enable a more highly skilled workforce, while responding to the human resources needs of new and existing companies. The company is compensated on a cost reimbursement basis for up to 50% of a new employee’s wages for a period of time.
The North Carolina Community College System offers free, customized job training for new and expanding businesses. Comprised of 58 colleges across the state, it is the third largest community college system in the country and has earned accolades from the economic development, business and industry and educational communities worldwide. The North Carolina Community College System administers:
- The New and Expanding Industry Training Program (NEIT) includes:
- Pre-employment training.
- Instruction by a statewide network of skilled professionals with industry-specific expertise.
- No expense or assistance offsetting costs where an instructor is a company employee.
- Use of nearby college facilities, including transportation of training equipment.
- Access to the North Carolina Information Highway, a real-time, interactive distance learning system.
- Cost of training supplies and materials including customized training materials.
- Continued support as a training partner once your site becomes operational.
- The Focused Industrial Training (FIT) special training program for North Carolina’s manufacturing industries. FIT designs and implements targeted, customized training for organizations that need to upgrade workers’ skills because of technological preprocess advances.
On-going Support and Partnerships
Experienced and mid-career professionals need to stay fresh and current. Companies need to adapt as technologies and process change. Network partners can draw from a extensive inventory of exsting programs, while also recognizing businesses distinctive requirements to help companies adapt.
- The Incumbent Worker Program uses federal funds to help established businesses upgrade worker skills to maintain or increase their competitiveness. Workers gain new skills that can make them more valuable and increase their earning potential, while your company can experience a boost in productivity and lower turnover.
- The community colleges' Continuing Education Program enrolls and trains more than 546,000 people each year. At the request of employers and individuals, more than 1,400 affordable, short-term occupational skill training courses are offered throughout the state to train, retrain and upgrade workers for current or future job skill requirements and certifications.
- The North Carolina Community College system’s Small Business Center Network offers guidance to small, growing businesses.
Finally, strategic partnerships between industry and academia ensure that curricula are shaped to meet the dynamic needs of the industry.
For more information, download the 
Workforce Development Network Chapter of our Fact Book or refer to the following links:
Related Links
Statewide Workforce Development training programs
N.C. Community College System Business/Industry Education and Training
Employment Security Commission of North Carolina
N.C. State Training Accountability and Reporting System
For more information about the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Workforce Development Network, visit the Workforce Services area of our website:
Find Information for Employers
JobLink Career Centers
Incumbent Worker Program
N.C. Equal Opportunity Policy
Workforce Investment Act
Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Workforce Development Training Center