Expanding Education-to-Career Pathways for New Hanover County Youth and Adults
WILMINGTON, N.C. The Endowment is awarding three new grants totaling more than $5.17 million to expand workforce development programs that create career opportunities and strengthen economic mobility across New Hanover County.
These investments align with The Endowment’s strategic goals, support the county’s workforce attainment priorities, and contribute to North Carolina’s statewide vision of two million residents earning a college degree or industry-recognized credential. Among these investments, an innovative partnership with national and local funders will expand proven workforce solutions in New Hanover County. Together, these efforts help ensure that New Hanover County residents are well prepared to thrive in a growing, adaptable economy.
“Workforce development drives our four pillar goals,” said Sophie Dagenais, President and CEO of The Endowment. “When youth lack clear pathways or adults face barriers to work, everyone is held back. This suite of grants opens horizons for youth, helping them shape their futures, and supports adults through training and apprenticeships. By aligning schools, employers, and communities, we can strengthen the systems that prepare residents for opportunity, help address labor shortages, and promote long-term economic mobility.”
A $2 million grant to the Greater Wilmington Chamber Foundation will support the continued expansion of the Career and Leadership Development Academy. The program provides district-wide, career-connected learning experiences for all seventh-grade students in New Hanover County Schools, along with extended mentorship for students in grades 8–11. Each year, more than 2,000 students explore local industries through career assessments, hands-on activities, and site visits with over 95 businesses and community partners. Students develop personalized career plans that align their interests with regional workforce opportunities, laying the foundation for Career and Technical Education courses, industry-recognized credentials, and work-based learning experiences throughout high school.
The Cape Fear Community College Foundation will receive $3 million to establish the New Hanover County Apprenticeship Accelerator Program. This effort will expand the college’s pre-apprenticeship-to-apprenticeship pipeline by creating a dedicated Apprenticeship Department charged with scaling programs, coordinating employer partnerships, and supporting apprentices across the region. As a critical “earn-and-learn” model, the program will strengthen the county’s capacity for workforce development while aligning postsecondary education with employer needs in our community.
Additionally, Cape Fear Community College Foundation will receive a grant to replicate and implement an, evidence-based construction trades training and job placement program. The $370,000 collaborative funding investment by The Endowment, the Lennar Foundation, the Charles Koch Foundation, and including a grant from Live Oak Bank will equip participants with a workplace safety certification, construction knowledge, and essential employability skills, and place them directly into local jobs immediately upon graduation. More details about this innovative program will be shared in a forthcoming release.
Speaking of all three grants, David Stegall, Director of Education and Community Development, says, “Alignment is the key multiplier. When we connect education, training, and real-world experience, we not only prepare individuals for success, we strengthen the foundation for a more resilient New Hanover County.”
About The Endowment
The Endowment’s mission is to improve the health, education, safety, and economic opportunity of every person in New Hanover County.
For more about The Endowment and to stay informed about upcoming grant opportunities, visit www.theendowment.org.
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