All On Board for NC 2030
A GAME PLAN FOR North Carolina'S WORKFORCE & ECONOMIC FUTURE
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
All On Board for NC 2030™ is a citywide workforce exposure, communication, and opportunity activation initiative designed to help North Carolina strengthen career exploration, college preparation, workforce readiness, talent retention, and economic mobility for the next generation.
Through partnerships with schools, colleges, employers, nonprofits, and civic leadership, the initiative helps students move from exposure to exploration, application, and enrollment by connecting them directly to real opportunities throughout the city.
By combining interactive experiences, career-connecting learning, workforce conversations, QR-connected technology, and community partnerships, All On Board for NC 2030 helps North Carolina build stronger local talent pipelines while helping students discover pathways toward their future.
Exposure
Students are introduced to career pathways, industries, and local workforce opportunities through career fairs, guest speakers, workplace tours, and classroom activities. The goal is to build awareness and spark interest in future careers.
Exploration
Students explore career interests through mentorship, job shadowing, career assessments, and workforce activities. This phase helps students better understand career options and the skills needed for success.
Application
Students apply their learning through internships, certifications, resume building, interview preparation, and other hands-on workforce experiences that strengthen career readiness.
Enrollment
Students transition into college, training programs, certifications, apprenticeships, military service, or employment connected to their chosen career pathways.
When an entire city gets All On Board, exposure becomes opportunity.
Who Benefits
• Earlier career exposure
• Workforce communication development
• Resume readiness
• Leadership and teamwork experiences
• Increased confidence
• Greater awareness of local opportunities
• Stronger understanding of workforce pathways• Career-connected engagement tools
• Workforce communication curriculum
• Additional workforce exposure resources
• Increased relevance between academics and careers
• Stronger student engagement opportunities
• Support for graduation and workforce readiness goals-
Earlier access to future talent pipelines
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Increased visibility among students and families
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Stronger workforce alignment opportunities
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Greater awareness of local industries
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Stronger internship and certification pipelines
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Increased local talent retention potential
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Increased awareness of workforce pathways
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Exposure to economic mobility opportunities
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Stronger career-planning conversations
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Greater understanding of local opportunities
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Increased engagement through parent nights and workforce events
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Stronger workforce readiness
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Increased employer alignment
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Greater economic mobility opportunities
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Increased workforce participation
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Stronger communication development
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Reduced exposure gaps
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Long-term community stability and opportunity expansion
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building the workforce pipeline from 2nd grade through graduation
• Career curiosity
• Teamwork development
• Communication growth
• Aspiration building
• Future imagination
Grades 2-5
• Career exploration
• Workforce vocabulary development
• Communication confidence
• Pathway awareness
• Career-connected discussions
Grade 6-8
• Workforce awareness
• Leadership development
• Professional communication
• Teamwork experiences
• Pathway planning
Grades 9-10
• Resume readiness
• Internship exposure
• Certification awareness
• Employment preparation
• Postsecondary pathway activation
Grades 11-12
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north carolina's
high-demand
industry alignment
Students are connected to North Carolina's high-demand industries through workforce communication curriculum, gameplay experiences, employer spotlights, and QR-connected pathways.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Duke Health
Atrium Health
Novant Health
Transportation & Logistics
Old Dominion Freight
FedEx Ground
Charlotte Douglas International
Technology & Cybersecurity
Red Hat
SAS Institute
MetLife Global Technology Campus
Energy & Infrastructure
Duke Energy
Nucor
Piedmont Natural Gas