myFutureNC Policy Update – May 2024

Cory Biggs, Director of Policy & Advocacy for myFutureNC, provides an update on policies and legislative priorities for May 2024.

Industry-Valued Credentials are Valuable! 💰

Learn more about how to earn credentials for high-demand industries through in-person and online training programs available through our state’s career & technical education programs in high school and our 58 community colleges.

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Students can get a head start on their careers through the CTE program.

Learn more about how middle and high school students can access Career & Technical Education (CTE) credentials while in school to earn certifications before they graduate. In a rapidly evolving job market, equipping students with relevant workforce credentials is paramount, and educators and families play a pivotal role in this critical endeavor.

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NC Has One of The Nation’s BEST Career and College Promise Program

High school students in North Carolina can earn tuition-free college course credits. With these credits, students can earn an associate’s degree, transfer to a four-year institution, or achieve a combination of these before completing high school.

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Where are they? How do we reach them? North Carolina’s Opportunity Youth

Did you know 10.9% of North Carolinians aged 16 to 24 are considered opportunity youth – they are not in school or working? Learn how to authentically engage opportunity youth as leaders; and what programming and resources are currently available to individuals, parents/guardians, and organizations that work with opportunity youth.

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Do you know your county’s Top 3 Opportunities for Growth?

Every county has Top 3 Opportunities for Growth. These 3 areas are the biggest opportunities for each county to improve future attainment outcomes.

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The Positive Impact of NC Pre-K

Only 53% eligible North Carolina 4-year-olds enrolled in the public NC Pre-K program in 2023. High-quality pre-K is a foundational year that can significantly improve student readiness for kindergarten and success in school. High quality pre-K programs, particularly NC Pre-K, provide both short- and long-term benefits to students and their communities.

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Let’s Make Sure the Class of 2024 Doesn’t Miss Out on Funding – FAFSA & Financial Aid Resources

Learn more about the untapped resources in your county and region as there are multiple organizations focused on providing financial aid to students. Research indicates that eligible students who complete the FAFSA are more likely to attend college and persist in their studies.

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Ensuring Degrees & Credentials Lead to Jobs – Labor Market Alignment

North Carolina’s labor market alignment is currently 82%, meaning roughly eight of every ten graduates from state postsecondary institutions had skills and credentials aligned with job openings. Learn more about how to analyze labor market alignment in your region and ensure our graduates are filling job openings.

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Making Jobs Matter – North Carolinians Need Family-Sustaining Wages

Did you know 46% of North Carolinians ages 25-44 are working, but not earning enough to get by? Learn more about how we can work together to increase the number of North Carolinians earning the economic resources they need to weather day-to-day struggles without needing external support.

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