RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC Chamber Foundation has been selected from a competitive pool of more than 180 applicants nationwide to receive funding from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to support statewide efforts to align K-12 career pathways with employer demand in the electrical sector. The award of approximately $295,000 is supported by the Pathways & Workforce Funder Collaborative of over 70 national philanthropic organizations.

The effort will directly support the Careers Electric™ initiative and will be led by the NC Chamber Foundation in partnership with the North Carolina Business Committee for Education and the Careers Electric™ Coalition, co-chaired by the Siemens Foundation and ABB. Bringing together employers, educators, school districts, and regional workforce partners, the initiative will expand career-connected learning opportunities for students interested in electrical careers.

“North Carolina’s continued economic growth is strengthened by clearer connections between classrooms and careers,” said NC Chamber Foundation President Meredith Archie. “This grant will help expand career exploration and workforce pathways in electrical careers so more students can access high-demand opportunities while employers build the skilled talent base needed to succeed.”

As North Carolina continues to attract major business investments and experience growth in advanced manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors, demand for skilled electrical workers is expected to increase.

Using employer-led Talent Pipeline Management® principles, regional partners will establish clear North Star goals that align employer and educator efforts. These goals will identify workforce needs, align educational pathways with those needs, and create scalable opportunities for students to explore and access electrical careers.

“Developing a workforce that is ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy is essential to our state’s future,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This partnership will create stronger connections between education and industry while providing students with clear pathways into rewarding careers that support North Carolina’s future competitiveness.”

Careers Electric™ was launched in February by the Siemens Foundation with a $9.5 million investment and a goal to train 25,000 people for electrical careers over the next decade. North Carolina was selected as the first state in the national rollout. The NC Chamber Foundation is proud to join the Careers Electric™ Coalition as an incubation partner. The coalition brings together industry employers, national trade associations, workforce development organizations, and philanthropic partners in its commitment to offering a new, sector-driven approach to workforce development in America’s skilled trades.

Founding coalition industry partners include ABB, Amazon Web Services, and NC Chamber members Duke Energy, JetZero, Hitachi Energy, NC Electric Cooperatives, and Siemens.

“Building strong career pathways requires employers and educators to work together around a shared vision for student success and workforce readiness,” said Julia Wright, chair of the North Carolina Business Committee for Education Board of Directors. “This investment will help regional partners create employer-informed pathways that give students greater access to high-quality career opportunities while strengthening North Carolina’s talent pipeline for years to come.”