Raleigh, N.C. — Local high school students in Columbus County are gaining hands-on work experience and technical training through expanded youth apprenticeship programs supported by state funding, Gov. Josh Stein announced Thursday.
Through NC Career Launch—a statewide initiative operated by the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and funded by the U.S. Department of Labor—Columbus County is one of eight target counties hosting locally tailored summer youth apprenticeships. The programs allow high school students to earn a paycheck while exploring high-demand career pathways alongside regional employers.
Across North Carolina, more than 500 high school students completed summer pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship academies this year, bringing the total number of students supported by NC Career Launch to 1,067 across 48 counties since 2024.
“These apprenticeships give North Carolina’s high school students the chance to learn hands-on and earn a paycheck as they explore career pathways in high-demand industries,” Gov. Stein said. “This milestone is only the beginning as we continue opening doors of opportunity for North Carolina’s future leaders.”
In Columbus County and neighboring regional sites, summer youth apprenticeship pathways focused on high-demand technical sectors, including construction, information technology, and health care. Students completed classroom instruction alongside work-based training supervised by employer partners.
The program expansion builds on broader workforce investments made earlier this year. In July, Gov. Stein signed the state budget, which allocated $57.7 million for Propel NC and $3.1 million to support ApprenticeshipNC. Additionally, the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships has set a goal to double apprenticeship opportunities across the state.
NCBCE Chair Julia Wright emphasized the long-term impact of connecting local students directly with regional industries.
“In a matter of weeks, students earn college credit and credentials, employers meet their future workforce, and communities can thrive in the future,” Wright said.
NCBCE and state education partners plan to expand the youth apprenticeship model to additional community sites and schools heading into 2027.
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