Finding a Job

Apprenticeships combine on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction, allowing participants to earn while they learn a highly skilled trade. 

North Carolina's Apprenticeship program is now managed by the North Carolina Community College System. To learn more, visit the program's website at ApprenticeshipNC. 

The North Carolina Internship Program provides students with professional work experience that connects their classroom experiences and potential career choices.

Interns work 40 hours a week for a 10-week period, earning $12.00 an hour. They participate in meetings, educational tours and other activities designed to broaden their perspective of public service and state government. There are numerous internship positions available during the summer at various state agencies located throughout North Carolina. Projects and interns are screened and selected by the North Carolina Internship Council. The State of NC Internship Program is highly competitive. Learn more here: https://ncadmin.nc.gov/advocacy/youth-involvement/internship-program&nb…;

Learn more about volunteer opportunities with the State, including AmeriCorps openings 

Our team at the Division of Workforce Solutions provides experienced help to veterans, transitioning service members, and eligible spouses seeking a job. North Carolina, home to nearly 800,000 veterans and several of the nation's most important defense installations, understands the needs and challenges of military life.

How It Works

Veterans can visit their NCWorks Career Center and take advantage of the following no-cost services:

• Career assessments
• Labor market information
• Access to training opportunities, job fairs, and workshops
• Job interview preparation
• Resume and cover letter assistance
• Assistance with NCWorks Online
• Access to computers and free Internet service
• Help applying for federal employment and training programs in which veterans receive priority of service

Some veterans face significant barriers that make it difficult for them to find suitable employment, especially vets who are transitioning into civilian life. Most offices have specialized staff—all of whom are veterans—who work closely with employers to create more opportunities for veterans and provide the following services to veterans:

• Help developing an employability plan and goals
• Coaching in individual and group settings
• Referrals to supportive services, including vocational rehabilitation, transportation, elder care, food and nutrition services, and nonprofit organizations that address homelessness

The following criteria are considered significant barriers to employment:

• Disabilities
• Homelessness
• Unemployed for at least 27 weeks
• Criminal background (released within the last 12 months)
• No high school diploma or GED
• Low income
• Between 18-24 years old

NCWorks Online

The state’s official job-search website, NCWorks Online gives veterans access to job postings for 24 hours before they are made available to the general public. The system provides information on training opportunities, local services, and other resources available to veterans. Employers can also search exclusively for candidates who are veterans.

Apprenticeships

Veterans participating in Apprenticeships can continue to draw benefits from the GI Bill, even though they are employed as part of an apprenticeship. Learn more about apprenticeships.

How to Apply

Contact your NCWorks Career Center to find out more about NCWorks Veterans Services and other resources or programs. 

Veterans can also use the NCWorks Veterans Portal to look for jobs and training opportunities in their areas. Registration is free.

Employment Initiatives for Veterans

• North Carolina For Military Employment (NC4ME) is a public-private partnership designed to make North Carolina the number 1 state for military employment. 
• CyberVetsUSA is a program that provides free training and employment opportunities to veterans, transitioning service members, National Guard and Reservists, and their spouses. Offering the latest cyber courses and certifications from some of the industry’s leading tech companies, CyberVetsUSA is a skills-to-job pathway that aims to fast-track those coming out of the military into high-demand cyber careers.  
• USA Jobs for Veterans - USA Jobs is the Federal Government’s official one-stop source for federal jobs and employment information.
• The G.I.Jobs website has career tips for transitioning service members, including advice on effective resumes, interviewing tips, and other useful career advice. Users can sign up for a free digital subscription to the G.I. Jobs magazine. G.I. Jobs provides individuals transitioning from military service to a civilian career useful assistance, and gives military-friendly employers a comprehensive vehicle to recruit transitioning service members.
• Feds Hire Vets provides federal employment information for veterans, transitioning military service members, their families and federal hiring officials.
• U.S. Military Pipeline - Here job seekers can create a profile, take a career assessment, view and apply for jobs in various industries throughout North Carolina. Job seekers must set up an account to apply for jobs, but the account is free.
• Recruit Military is a veteran-owned company dedicated to helping American veterans achieve their dreams: education, veteran and civilian careers, new business and franchise ownership, training, and much more. This service is provided free to veterans and their spouses.
• The CareerOneStop site is a portal for veterans seeking employment, training and financial help after military service. The site includes a military-to-civilian MOS/MOC job translator, access to career resource information, occupational projections and jobs-in-demand.
• Military.com is a free site which offers resources on military transitioning, veteran jobs, career advice, military occupation converters and other employment-related information targeted toward the military.
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched Hiring Our Heroes, a nationwide initiative to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. Veterans can find links to job fairs in their area and in other parts of the U.S.
• The Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) is the official U.S. Army program that assists and advocates for severely wounded, ill, and injured soldiers; veterans; and their families. Contact the Wounded Warrior Resource Center at 1 (800) 342-9647.
• The Hilton Honors Military Program provides up to 100,000 hotel points to eligible Transitioning Service Members, Veterans and Military Spouses to support needed travel for verifiable employment-related activities, such as a job search, training for a new job, or finding housing near a new job. Once approved, the jobseeker can redeem the points to help pay for accommodations at any Hilton property. For more information, contact a local NCWorks Career Center and ask to speak to someone who works with Veterans. 

State and Federal Resources for Veterans

• The U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) - VETS serves America's veterans and separating service members by preparing them for meaningful careers, providing employment resources and expertise, and protecting their employment rights.  
• VETS also monitors the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which is currently conducted by contractors at selected military installations. It is designed to meet the needs of separating service members and their spouses by facilitating the transition from military service to the civilian workplace.
• The Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) was created by the Army to help its service members succeed in their transition from military service. This program is conducted in conjunction with TAP. The program provides a variety of transition assistance services, including employment assistance, relocation assistance, and career counseling for employers.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs - A worldwide resource that provides information on veterans programs, benefits, facilities worldwide, and medical automation software.
• The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1 (800) 273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• The North Carolina Department of Military & Veterans Affairs advocates for veterans and their families by offering assistance through a network of District and County Veterans Service Offices. The DMVA assists veterans and their families in establishing claims, privileges, rights and benefits that veterans may be entitled to under Federal, State or local laws.
• The Veterans Employment Center provides public and private job opportunities, a resume builder, military skills translator, and access to detailed career and training resources. The website is part of the federal Joining Forces Initiative.

North Carolina’s youth and young adults are a crucial part of the state’s workforce, and it’s important that they be given the tools they need to advance their education and careers. Youth services provide young people with opportunities to prepare for and advance their education and careers.

How It Works

Traditional employment and young adult development programs teach participants how to maintain positive relationships with responsible adults and peers, explore opportunities for community service, and develop leadership skills. As part of the program, each young person will assess their skills and participate in a program that’s designed to address their individual needs.

Young adult services may include the following opportunities:

• Tutoring and study skills training
• Alternative secondary school
• Summer employment opportunities
• Paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships and job shadowing
• Occupational skill training
• Leadership development
• Supportive services
• Adult mentoring
• Follow-up services
• Comprehensive guidance and counseling
• Financial literacy education
• Entrepreneurial skills training
• Labor market and employment information
• Activities to help prepare for training and education

How to Qualify

Participants must be in one of two categories for young people to be eligible to receive services: in-school or out-of-school.  

In-school youth must be attending school, be between 14-21 years old, low-income and have one or more of the following characteristics:

• Basic skills deficient

• An English learner

• Homeless/runaway/out-of-home placement/foster care/aged out of foster care

• An offender

• Pregnant or parenting

• An individual with a disability

• Require additional assistance to complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment

Out-of-school youth must not be attending any school, be between 16-24 years old and have one or more of the following characteristics:

• A school dropout

• Within age of compulsory school attendance, but has not attended school for at least the most recent complete school-year calendar quarter

• Recipient of a secondary school diploma or equivalent who is low-income and basic skills deficient or an English language learner

• Subject to the juvenile or adult justice system

• Homeless/runaway/foster care/aged out of foster care/out-of-home placement

• Pregnant or parenting

• An individual with a disability

• A low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment

The state’s Workforce Development Boards work with schools, businesses, community organizations, and other local partners to provide support and funding for local youth programs.

NCWorks Online

The state’s official job-search portal, NCWorks Online allows youth to search for jobs, find local training opportunities, and learn about industries and occupations to prepare for their careers. The system also provides information on programs and opportunities for youth in their communities.

How to Apply

Contact your local Workforce Development Board for information on local youth services.

Youth can use NCWorks Online to search for jobs and training opportunities in their areas. Registration is free.

The NC Department of Commerce Reentry Initiative provides resources and assistance to justice-involved job seekers to help them overcome the barriers to employment created by a criminal record.

How It Works

Each NCWorks Career Center provides services to individuals with criminal records. Career center staff ensure those job seekers have the necessary resources to conduct an effective job search.

In addition to the services provided to all job seekers, individuals with a criminal record have access to the following:

• Help with writing resumes and a “letter of explanation” detailing their criminal record and/or incarceration and indicating rehabilitative efforts
• Knowledge about employers' policies concerning hiring individuals with a criminal record
• Workshops specific to addressing concerns of individuals with criminal records
• Referrals to community organizations that assist individuals with criminal records
• Information on Federal Bonding and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit

Career centers also work with federal, state, and local providers of reentry services, including community- and faith-based organizations, and vocational rehabilitation centers.

In addition to the economic value of obtaining employment, an individual who finds a job is less likely to be re-arrested or return to prison than those who do not obtain employment.

NCWorks Online

Each career center has computer terminals for job seekers to access the Internet and use NCWorks Online to find jobs.

In addition to letting users search for jobs, NCWorks Online can show users how their current skill sets match the skills required by employers for a particular position. Career center staff are also available to help job seekers use the website.

How to Get Started

Job seekers with criminal records can contact their local NCWorks Career Center for these employment services.

For help with general questions or concerns, email the Program Coordinator at DWS_Re-Entry@commerce.nc.gov.

Agricultural job seekers can benefit from the services offered at our NCWorks Career Centers. Our agricultural employment consultants help place farm workers on jobs and ensure that migrant and seasonal farmworkers have access to the same services as the general public. Consultants also refer migrant and seasonal farmworkers to various supportive services and refer complaints to the proper enforcement agencies.

How to Apply

Contact your NCWorks Career Center, or the Agricultural Services main office at 919-814-0544.

The Limited English Proficiency program helps individuals who do not speak English as a primary language by providing technical assistance and guidance to workforce staff. The program works with people who have a limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English.

Specialists are located in local workforce offices. These specialists, working with the program coordinator, are responsible for identifying resources in the community to help customers receive the same level of services available to individuals whose primary language is English.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (“WIOA”) became effective July 1, 2015, replacing workforce development programs authorized under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Under WIOA, and as previously with WIA, Native American Programs are authorized as national "set-aside" programs under Section 166. In carrying out its mandate and objectives, the Commission of Indian Affairs operates a WIOA Section 166 workforce development program that targets the needs of unemployed, underemployed and low-income American Indians in North Carolina.

For more information and contact details, check out the American Indian Workforce Development Program.

From principals to janitors, there are jobs throughout the state's public schools. Search Teach NC Education Jobs, your source for teaching jobs and other school jobs in North Carolina!