NC needs to do more to create a skilled workforce by 2030, say business and political leaders WFAE 90.7

Some of North Carolina’s top leaders in business, politics, education and philanthropy gathered in Raleigh on Monday to push for a greater focus in the education system to create a skilled workforce. He said it would include providing more young adults with educational credentials tailored to employer needs.

“Access to a quality education opens up a world of opportunity… but a four-year degree is not for everyone and is not necessary for success in today’s global economy,” said Senate Majority Leader Phil Berger. myFutureNCA Raleigh-based workforce planning advocacy group.

In the year In 2019, the group came together with bipartisan support, announcing a goal of 2 million North Carolinians between the ages of 25 and 44 holding a college degree or “high-quality credential” by 2030.

President Cecilia Holden said last year that about 1.55 million people were 31,000 fewer than the group had hoped to reach.

The group announced two policy priorities for this year’s AGM.

• Mandating that every middle and high school make career plans for all students, a move endorsed by Superintendent Catherine Truitt, the Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education.
• Invest more money in scholarships that give people short-term credentials valued by employers. That “provides immediate value to our employers, the earning power of individuals and the tax base of our state’s economy,” Holden said.

Big issues were not discussed.

Social issues such as the “Parents Bill of Rights” that was introduced in the state Senate, starting with teacher pay, schools may be the focus of the legislative session again this year. Leaders who spoke Monday did not elaborate on those issues.

Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore, both Republicans, had about three minutes each to make opening statements. He gave few details about the big education decisions ahead. The state legislature has begun the 2023 “long session,” which will set the budget and set many policy paths for the next two years.

Moore said rapid advances in artificial intelligence will eliminate some of the jobs that employers need to fill now.

“What’s scary in some ways, but most exciting, is what changes in technology will mean for tomorrow’s workforce?” Moore said. I think it is very important that we as legislators think about this.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who spoke for about 12 minutes at the end of the meeting, praised bipartisan support for strengthening North Carolina’s skilled workforce. He also used the platform to push his agenda in more detail.

“From childhood to higher education, we are facing our own manpower crisis,” he said. “When you look at the number Teacher vacanciesWhen you see the struggle to get people to drive buses, when you see the struggle to get enough of our first childhood teachers, what do we do?

Cooper said the Medicaid expansion, which he has supported for years, would make it easier for child care centers to hire and keep staff. About a quarter of the state’s childcare workers fall into the gap between Medicaid and federal Affordable Care Act subsidies, he said. Republican leaders have voiced support for Medicaid expansion.

Without providing specifics, Cooper called for more support for K-12 teachers and principals.

“We have to make sure it’s invested,” he said. “Pay them and treat them like the professionals.”

Neither Cooper nor the House and Senate have yet released a teacher pay proposal for this year’s budget.

The governor said about the year Leandro plan To increase education funds. The state Supreme Court split along party lines last fall He ordered the state To spend $1.75 billion to strengthen education. But the General Assembly didn’t act, and in November’s election, Republicans won a majority on the court — a decision some speculated could lead to a reversal.

And Cooper told business and legislative leaders, “We need to stop cutting taxes for the rich.”

Cooper, like many other speakers, noted that North Carolina is attracting good-paying employers. He said tax cuts have taken away resources needed to strengthen early childhood, K-12 and higher education.

“And we have to stop it with the challenges ahead. We don’t need economic growth and development – they’re coming. They’re coming in droves!” Cooper said.