Governor Stein Announces Workforce Pell Grant Program for Training

Amid a surge in job growth and investment, North Carolina is taking strides to prepare its workforce for burgeoning opportunities. Governor Josh Stein, in collaboration with the NCWorks Commission, has introduced an initiative to expand access to federal financial aid for vocational training through the Workforce Pell grant program.

Governor Josh Stein expressed this initiative’s significance, stating, “North Carolina is attracting jobs and investment at a record pace, and Workforce Pell will help ensure our workforce is ready to seize those opportunities. This new financial support for students engaged in workforce training will help ensure opportunity is built here in North Carolina.”

The Workforce Pell program makes federal Pell Grants available to students in short-term workforce training programs approved at eligible institutions. Following the NCWorks Commission’s adoption of standards in May, the U.S. Department of Education finalized guidelines, with program implementation set for July 2026.

Applying For Workforce Pell Approval

Institutions aiming for inclusion in the Workforce Pell initiative must assess whether their programs satisfy federal eligibility criteria. Eligible programs should run between eight and 15 weeks, cater to high-demand, high-wage sectors, and contribute towards qualifications like certificates or degrees.

More details about eligibility criteria and the state’s approval protocol can be found on the North Carolina Department of Commerce website at commerce.nc.gov/workforce-pell.

Applications can be submitted through the Eligible Training Provider (ETP) portal at nc.works/ETPL, including all necessary information for Workforce Pell consideration.

Applications will be assessed quarterly by the NCWorks Commission. Upon receiving state approval, institutions can present their short-term programs to the U.S. Department of Education for further validation.

N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, also a co-chair of the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships, remarked, “One of the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships’ key priorities is expanding pathways to the credentials and skills that lead to good jobs. Workforce Pell is an important new tool that will help more North Carolinians access high-value training while helping employers meet their workforce needs.”

Governor Stein has appointed the NCWorks Commission as the principal agency for Workforce Pell execution. His 2026-2027 budget proposal allocates over $144,000 for hiring a Workforce Pell Director within the N.C. Department of Commerce. This role, contingent on legislative funding, will oversee program approvals and collaborate with educational and workforce bodies to enhance access to training.

The policy was crafted with input from the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships. This advisory group, part of the NCWorks Commission, includes representatives from key sectors such as the N.C. Department of Commerce, North Carolina Community College System, and universities.

Continuing his commitment to workforce development, Governor Stein’s initiatives have facilitated over 42,000 new jobs and attracted $29 billion in investments since his tenure began in January 2025. Notably, North Carolina was named the Top State for Workforce Development by Site Selection Magazine in January 2026.

###

The NCWorks Commission receives funding from WIOA Title I, fully financed by the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor, with North Carolina receiving a total of $66,329,591.