Today, Governor Roy Cooper met with business leaders, workforce development representatives, and local community colleges and university administrators to discuss economic development in North Carolina. Governor Cooper and his office have recruited and announced more than 62,000 jobs. More than 6,923 were announced in Mecklenburg County, along with $539 million in investment.
“Companies come to North Carolina and choose to grow here because of our talented and educated workforce,” said Governor Cooper. “Partnerships among business, schools and government are how North Carolina continues to prepare workers for fulfilling careers and make our state a place businesses want to call home.”
Recognizing the critical role employers play in workforce development, today’s event focused on employers’ needs, workforce development and career services. Participants discussed ways the state, employers, and community colleges and universities can partner on education attainment and job growth in the state.
Governor Cooper was joined by representatives from Honeywell, Chime Solutions, Ernst & Young, Lending Tree, AvidXchange, Stratifyd, and Allstate. Mayor Vi Lyles, Central Piedmont Community College President Kandi Deitemeyer, Charlotte Works President Danielle Frazier, UNC Charlotte Chancellor Phil Dubois, Johnson C. Smith University Director of STEM Innovation Terik Tidwell and local career services directors also participated in the event.
Since taking office, Governor Cooper has made workforce development a critical focus of his administration.
In 2018, Governor Cooper announced the NC Job Ready initiative to strengthen workforce development in the state, through partnering with employers, promoting skills and education attainment, and spurring local innovation.
Governor Cooper’s Finish Line Grants program is one example, providing critical funding so community college students who face an unexpected financial hurdle, like a car repair or health care bill, can stay on track to graduate. The Finish Line Grants program has already provided two million dollars in funding and issued over 3,000 grants.