Education & Workforce Conference

Today's labor market is changing faster than our education and workforce systems were designed to respond. Artificial intelligence, shifting skill demands, changing learner expectations, demographic pressures, and growing employer need are all forcing the same question: how can we adapt quickly enough to preserve our state's competitive advantage in talent & workforce development. This convening will bring together leaders from business, education, workforce development, philanthropy, and policy to examine how North Carolina can build a more responsive talent system. The day will focus on practical strategies for using AI, strengthening employer leadership, making skills-first approaches actionable, scaling work-based learning, and designing new ways of working together that can keep up with the pace of change. This event brings together educators and business leaders to share ideas and collaborate on the roles each can play in ensuring the state's students are college and career ready for the jobs of tomorrow. This is one of the only events in NC that brings both business and education to the table to develop aligned strategies to ensure today's students are prepared for tomorrow.