Talent First Economics Community Cohort Completes First in Series of Workforce Development Trainings

The Institute for Emerging Issues’ Talent First Economics community cohort gathered for the start of the NC Workforce Development Leadership Initiative on Oct. 10-11 in Raleigh. 

Twenty-nine cohort participants met to engage in training on workforce and economic development led by experts from NC State University, the NCWorks Commission, Golden LEAF Foundation and the National Association of Workforce Boards.

The purpose of the cohort is to increase collaboration among workforce, economic and community development leaders, higher education and other key stakeholders to ensure their regions are better equipped to grow their workforce, with a focus on underrepresented workers. The cohort is made up of five community teams, each with six members, who will collaborate throughout 2023 to complete the initiative while developing action plans for their communities. 

The cohort represents regions as far west as Transylvania County and as far east as Carteret County. Participants were given opportunities to work together in their regional groups, as well as interact with members of other regional teams.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to impact workforce development in the Cape Fear region alongside my colleagues in Brunswick, Columbus and Pender counties,” said cohort member Natalie English, President and Chief Executive Officer at Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. “I can’t wait to apply what I’m learning to help more of our citizens access good jobs.”

The NC Workforce Development Leadership Initiative is a new four-course professional training program from NC State University being offered over a five-month period. The initiative is supported initially by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and created in collaboration with NC State University, the NCWorks Commission, the NC Department of Commerce and the NC Association of Workforce Development Boards. Participants will be among the first in the nation to receive the designation of Certified Workforce Developer upon completion of the workshop.