Page 2 - Career Pathways Booklet

INTRODUCTION

The new knowledge based economy is driving the demand for well-educated and technically proficient
workers. Today, millions of North Carolinians lack the education and skills deemed necessary to suc-

ceed in this new environment. According to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the
Workforce, 67% of all jobs in North Carolina will require education and training __________________________
beyond high school by 2025.
“67% of all jobs in
More importantly, jobs that require some post-secondary education and training
are the fastest-growing segment of the labor market. Workers without post- North Carolina will
secondary education are being left behind; limited to low wage, low-opportunity require education
and training beyond
jobs with minimal or no access to training or retraining programs.
high school by 2025”
Far too many adults in our Region lack the skills or credentials required for in-
-Georgetown University’s Center on
demand jobs, and many do not know how or where to access the information, Education and the Workforce
education, training, and credentials required by these family-supporting jobs. _____________________________________________

NCWorks Certified Career Pathways is a key strategy to address these challenges. They provide
a roadmap that connects students and workers to rewarding careers through an articulated sequence of
employer validated education, training programs and support services that enable individuals to secure
a good job or advance in high demand occupations. It is a roadmap to rewarding careers that provide
livable wages and opportunities for growth.

The career pathways system is designed to align educational offerings with business needs. The three
local workforce development boards in the Southwest Prosperity Zone in North Carolina (Centralina
WDB, Charlotte Works, and Gaston WDB) in collaboration with key stakeholders in the Region worked
together to develop NCWorks Certified Career Pathways to support the Advanced Manufacturing/
Mechatronics sector, and Healthcare sector, specifically in the area of Nursing.

This guide is intended to serve as a tool to assist students and job seekers with academic and career
planning for jobs in these high demand fields. It includes information on the education levels, 2017
typical wages, growth rates, related careers for each of the occupations covered by the certified path-
ways and information on the post-secondary institutions in the region offering training. Additional in-
formation can be obtained by contacting the individual colleges or local Workforce Development Board.

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