The Commission serves as North Carolina's principal policy group for workforce development and has a number of responsibilities that are outlined below, in the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, and in State Statute Section 143B.

The Commission is designated as the State's Workforce Investment Board under the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998. The Commission’s goal is to create a coherent and comprehensive workforce development system from approximately 49 workforce development programs in eight state agencies.

Its stated mission is to establish and guide a world class workforce development system in North Carolina that will be comprehensive, integrated, relevant, and effective. This system will produce well-educated, highly skilled workers, who perform at high levels and work in economically viable enterprises that provide good jobs at good wages.

As stated in HR 168 (Section 143B), the Commission is challenged to:

• Develop strategies to produce a skilled, competitive workforce that meets the needs of the state's changing economy.
• Advise the Governor, the General Assembly, state and local agencies, and business regarding policies and programs to enhance the state’s workforce.
• Coordinate and develop strategies for cooperation between the academic, governmental, and business sectors.
• Establish, develop, and provide ongoing oversight of the "One-Stop Delivery System" for employment and training services in the state.
• Develop a unified state plan for workforce training and development.
• Review the plans and programs of agencies, boards, and organizations operating federally or state-funded workforce development programs for effectiveness, duplication, fiscal accountability, and coordination.
• Develop and continuously improve performance measures to assess the effectiveness of workforce training and employment in the state.
• Submit to the Governor and to the General Assembly on a biennial basis, a comprehensive Workforce Development Plan that includes at least the following:
  • Goals and objectives for the biennium.
  • An assessment of current workforce programs and polices.
  • As assessment of the delivery of employment and training services to special populations, such as youth and dislocated workers.
  • Recommendations for policy, program, or funding changes.