NCWorks Commission Approves 43 North Carolina Community College Programs for Groundbreaking Workforce Pell Funding
RALEIGH, N.C. — In a major step forward for workforce development and student access, the NCWorks Commission officially approved 43 North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) programs for the first round of federal Workforce Pell Grants during its quarterly business session today. This inaugural group of short-term, high-impact training pathways spans 16 community colleges across the state.
The newly approved programs represent a significant shift in federal financial aid policy, extending Pell Grant eligibility to high-quality, short-term workforce training programs that run between eight and 14 weeks.
“Earning state approval was a significant accomplishment, but this is just the initial step. These programs met rigorous standards for completion and job placement because they are built around student success and employer demand,” said Dr. Brian S. Merritt, Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at the System. “Colleges will now seek approval from the Department of Education. Then our focus will be to sustain, and exceed, the required outcomes by strengthening employer partnerships, supporting students from enrollment through completion and employment, and ensuring Workforce Pell continues to deliver high-quality pathways to good jobs.”
To secure state-level approval under the Commission’s CPS 04-2026 policy—which aligns directly with federal policy guidelines—each of the 43 programs successfully demonstrated a minimum 70 percent completion rate and a 70 percent job placement rate, alongside fully documented credential stackability and portability for students.
Expanding Access to Critical Sectors
The approved programs will train students for immediate entry into the state’s most critical, high-demand fields, including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, emergency services, and transportation. Examples of eligible programs include Electrical Lineworker Academies, BioWork Process Technician training, Emergency Medical Technician programs, Truck Driver Training, and Nursing Assistant pathways.
The 16 community colleges launching these approved programs include:
- Beaufort County Community College
- Bladen Community College
- Blue Ridge Community College
- Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
- Central Carolina Community College
- Central Piedmont Community College
- Craven Community College
- Fayetteville Technical Community College
- Forsyth Technical Community College
- Gaston College
- Guilford Technical Community College
- Mitchell Community College
- Roanoke-Chowan Community College
- Robeson Community College
- Tri-County Community College
- Wake Technical Community College
“Workforce Pell is a transformational opportunity to expand access to high-quality workforce education for thousands of North Carolinians,” Merritt said. “These approved programs for our colleges are just the beginning. They were developed with employers and aligned to the skills our state’s industries need most, helping students earn in-demand credentials that lead to family-sustaining careers while addressing critical workforce shortages.”
Looking Ahead: More Approvals on the Horizon
While today’s announcement marks a critical milestone, the momentum is expected to build quickly. The System currently has several additional workforce programs pending review and approval in upcoming NCWorks Commission cycles.
Institutions will continue to work closely with the NCWorks Commission’s Education and Credential Attainment Committee as pending applications move through the state and federal approval pipeline.
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