Opportunity Overview
The North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions, has issued Operational Guidance OG 04-2026, Change 1: NC Career Launch Youth Apprenticeship Grant. The guidance supersedes prior NC Career Launch grant procedures and supports youth pre-apprenticeship programs for North Carolina high school students through Local Area Workforce Development Boards.
Funding and Availability
A Local Area Workforce Development Board may receive up to $250,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until available funds are fully expended. The guidance is effective immediately and expires September 30, 2027. Because the opportunity is genuinely rolling, there is no single fixed application deadline or deadline time zone.
The current official guidance does not state a mandatory applicant match or cost-share requirement.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are North Carolina Local Area Workforce Development Boards. WDBs must partner with the North Carolina Business Committee for Education to identify existing NC Career Launch programs and/or develop new programs. The funded model must include postsecondary coursework in which students earn college credit toward an associate degree at a North Carolina community college and work-based learning hours with an employer.
Allowable Uses
Funds may support training-related expenses such as tuition, required program fees, and paid work experiences. Supportive services may include transportation, child care, work attire, books, fees, and school supplies when those costs support participation in NC Career Launch pre-apprenticeship activities. Administrative costs are capped at 5 percent.
Submission Mechanics
Once a qualifying program is identified, the WDB submits the completed NC Career Launch Youth Apprenticeship Grant Funding Request Form to Shannon Jones-Hines at shannon.jones-hines@commerce.nc.gov. Participants must be enrolled in Wagner-Peyser, have the required agency program application, and be tracked in NCWorks Online with the appropriate service codes.
Atlas Fit Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 78/100. This is a meaningful statewide education and workforce opportunity with rolling availability and awards up to $250,000 per WDB, but eligibility is restricted to Local Area Workforce Development Boards and the funded activities are tightly focused on youth apprenticeship and related training supports.
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. QC Healthcare Fit: 5/100. The controlling guidance supports tuition, work experiences, and participant supportive services rather than clinical equipment or remote examination technology. No legitimate funded role for the Nonagon N9+ device and platform is established, so Atlas should not force device or clinical-service fit.
Next Action
Eligible Local Area Workforce Development Boards should coordinate with NCBCE, identify qualifying NC Career Launch programs, complete the official Funding Request Form, and submit while funds remain available.
Verified source: North Carolina Department of Commerce Operational Guidance OG 04-2026, Change 1.