Grants

The Education and Workforce Innovation Commission

The Education and Workforce Innovation Commission (EWIC) is a Commission comprised of education professionals across the state of North Carolina. These individuals include the Secretary of Commerce, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Chair of the State Board of  Education, the President of the University of North Carolina, the President of the North  Carolina Community College System, three members appointed by the Governor, three members who were appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and three members appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

The EWIC is located administratively at the NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI) but exercises all its prescribed powers independently of DPI. The Commission administers and develops, in coordination with the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Career and Technical Education Grade Expansion Program, as established under G.S. 115C-64.17.

This program (grant opportunity) was established to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs by prioritizing the inclusion of students in 6^th and 7^th grade through grant awards provided to selected public school units.

The Commission also facilitates The Education and Workforce Innovation Program fund (EWIF) under G.S. 115C-64.16. This program was established to foster innovation and education that will lead to more students graduating career and college ready. These funds may be awarded to individual schools, public school units, or a regional partnership of more than one public school unit to advance comprehensive, high-quality education that equips teachers with the knowledge and skill required to succeed with all students.

This grant requires the grant recipient to form a partnership for the purposes of the grant with either a public or private university or community college, as well as with a regional business or business leader. With this partnership formed, these grants should foster education for students to graduate career and college ready by exposing them to the partnerships and experiences of both local business and industry and a higher institution of education.

Current grant details:

Both grants, at the vote of the Education and Workforce Innovation Commission, are operating under a two-year grant cycle.

For more information on these grants, contact Career and Technical Education, NCDPI Career Readiness Specialist, Jacqueline Wyatt, jacqueline.wyatt@dpi.nc.gov.