Workforce Act of 2026 Moves Forward in the House, Marking a Major Step for North Carolina’s Talent Pipeline
May 1, 2026
North Carolina has taken a major step forward in strengthening its education-to-workforce pipeline with the introduction of House Bill 1163, the Workforce Act of 2026.
The Workforce Act of 2026 is the result of extensive collaboration, led by myFutureNC, with education leaders, employers, policymakers, philanthropists and other partners from across the state. The legislation reflects a shared vision for better connecting North Carolinians to high-demand careers while meeting the workforce needs of a rapidly evolving economy.
The Workforce Act of 2026 focuses on scaling strategies that are already delivering results, including expanding work-based learning, strengthening career navigation, making education pathways more seamless, and increasing access to industry-valued credentials.
Why This Matters
As North Carolina’s economy continues to evolve, the need for a skilled, adaptable workforce has never been greater. At the same time, too many individuals face unclear or disconnected pathways from education to employment.
This legislation helps close that gap—making it easier for North Carolinians to move from learning to earning with purpose and direction.
A Collaborative Effort Across the State
The introduction of this legislation signals strong, statewide alignment around a shared workforce agenda. myFutureNC extends its appreciation to the bill’s primary sponsors—Representatives Blackwell, Lambeth, Paré, and Schietzelt—who have played a critical role in championing this effort. The broad support behind this legislation underscores a shared commitment to strengthening North Carolina’s workforce and expanding opportunity across the state.
"This is a pivotal moment for North Carolina. The Workforce Act of 2026 is a testament to the strong collaboration of our partners and bill sponsors, reflecting a shared commitment to our state's attainment goal: preparing 2 million North Carolinians aged 25-44 with a degree or industry-valued credential by 2030. By scaling proven strategies and aligning our education and workforce systems, this legislation will help ensure North Carolina’s talent pipeline is ready for a changing economy, creating clear, accelerated pathways from learning to earning for North Carolinians," said Cecilia Holden, President of myFutureNC.
What Comes Next
Policy adoption is an important step—but this legislation being enacted and fully implemented is where impact happens.
myFutureNC will continue working alongside partners across the state to support alignment, track progress, and ensure this legislation translates into meaningful outcomes for North Carolinians.