Workforce & Training

A Right-to-Work State

North Carolina is an “at-will” employment state and one of 28 states with a “right-to-work” law. The most recent numbers reveal the State of North Carolina has the lowest unionization rate in the nation (1.9%).

Workforce Readiness

Multiple rural counties in the NCSE region have received national recognition for the number of workforce certificates earned by local workers. North Carolina ranks #1 in the country for the number of ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificates ( WorkKeys NCRCs) awarded to workers in micropolitan and rural areas. Read more: New Analysis Reveals Top Rural Counties for Workforce Certificates, Site Selection Magazine, Sept 2017

Industry Training

The North Carolina Community College System offers free customized industrial training to new and expanding companies. Learn more.

Within North Carolina's Southeast Region:

• 15 Community Colleges
• 77,000+ students
• More than 6,300 certificates and 6,900 Associate's degrees were awarded in 2014-'15