RALEIGH — Rep. Ben Moss wants to make sure students are better equipped to enter the workforce when they leave high school.
Moss, R-Richmond, on Thursday introduced H.B. 202, the Workforce Development Act, which would establish a program between high schools and local businesses to give students opportunities to participate in internships, apprenticeships or job shadowing.
In turn, that would build a base of potential employees in “high-demand trade fields and careers,” according to a press release from Moss’ office.
“Too often, students are graduating from high school and heading off to college or joining the workforce without being properly equipped with the skills needed to take that next step,” Moss said in a statement. “We are failing them by not providing them with the opportunities and resources needed to discover their passions and determine the best career path for them.”
The bill directs the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to create the High School to Work Grant Program to “create opportunities for high school students in public school units to connect with local business to develop skills and contacts for future jobs.”
The General Assembly would appropriate $2.5 million in nonrecurring funds for the next fiscal year (2023-2024) to support the grant program.
Public schools receiving grants will use the funds to facilitate a variety of opportunities for students to find employment.
DPI will be responsible for developing the criteria and selecting eligible schools for the grants and will have to report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by Feb. 15, 2024.
If the bill makes it through the legislature and past Gov. Roy Cooper’s pen, it would go into effect July 1.
“Internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing play a critical role in how we recruit and develop a highly-skilled workforce,” Moss said. “These students are our future teachers, doctors, and business owners and it’s time that we help them gain experience that will help drive our economy forward.”
Last year, Richmond County Schools launched its apprenticeship program with four students.
They were apprenticed to VBC (now Cavco), Superior Cranes, Griffin Auto Body Shop and East Coast Umbrella in Laurel HIll.
Click here to read about the apprenticeships.
The goal of the district’s Strategic Plan is that every student graduate from high school “established in a purposeful pathway” — whether that be a two- or four-year college, military or employment.
With the Career and Technical Education program, the district has also had students participate in internships and pre-apprenticeships.
Students have interned with: B&D Spindles; Meacham Logging; the cities of Hamlet and Wadesboro; DeWitt’s Outdoor Sports; Hayden Construction; Holiday Restaurant; Murphy Chiropractic and Dr. Leonard Haltiwanger; the Richmond County Airport; Richmond County Chamber of Commerce; Richmond County Schools; Richmond County Hospice; Superior Cranes; Therafirm; and Todd’s Computers.
Click here to read about interns in 2021.
Click here to read a 2020 story on career pathways.
