Workforce Development

North Carolina’s economy is growing—and so is the demand for skilled workers. Propel NC and other programs are prioritizing programs that train students for high-paying careers in advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, information technology, and healthcare . From community colleges to four-year universities, North Carolina’s institutions are rising to meet that demand—and behind the scenes, NC LIVE is helping make it possible.

NC LIVE ensures that all students have what they need to succeed by providing access to specialized resources, including patient care videos, up-to-date healthcare research, and professional certification test prep. These essential materials help faculty prepare students for a wide range of growing careers and help students build the skills they need to enter the field of their choice.

“I used [NC LIVE test prep resources] to study for my CLEP exams, and it was an absolute lifesaver,” one student said. “Truly my best study resource that helped me pass numerous exams.”

For community colleges especially, NC LIVE’s collaborative model is critical. Nursing, sonography, criminal justice, paralegal, and computer science programs all require specialized resources that no single college could afford on its own. But together through NC LIVE, every student has equal access to the information they need.

“Without the consortial buying power of NC LIVE, we could never afford the resources needed to support those high-growth programs ,” said Tim Hunter, Director of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College library.

Equal access across community colleges, UNC System schools, independent colleges, and public libraries ensures that students at smaller or more rural institutions are getting the same core collection as students at large, R1 universities . And that access continues throughout their lives, even once those students enter the workforce.

“I push my students to know that they need to be keeping up to date with the best information in their areas long after they graduate, and NC LIVE resources are available to them,” said Ann Hallyburton, Assistant Professor in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Western Carolina University.

From a nursing student’s first day in the clinic to a biotechnology graduate’s first job in a lab, NC LIVE plays a vital role in North Carolina’s workforce pipeline. By ensuring access to the latest, high-quality resources, NC LIVE helps our state prepare the next generation of workers to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

When you support NC LIVE, you’re investing in North Carolina’s workforce and its future.