Charlotte Employers Secure Training Grants for Major Transit Projects

The City of Charlotte launched Skilled to Build to prepare workers and businesses for opportunities tied to more than $25 billion in transportation and transit investments from the voter-approved one-cent sales tax.

These efforts arrive as Charlotte City Council approved $3.6 million in workforce development grants funded by the American Rescue Plan Act to support training and career navigation for over 500 individuals. The timing aligns with ongoing needs in construction and related fields connected to the transit expansion.

Programs Connecting Employers to Talent

Charlotte Works serves as the official workforce development board for Mecklenburg County, linking job seekers with employers and delivering skills training for youth and adults. The Office of Workforce Development awarded its first round of mobility workforce grants in May 2026 to build skilled talent for transportation projects and link employers directly to apprenticeships.

Mecklenburg County supports additional efforts through Rise 2 Work for food stamp recipients and Unified Workforce Development, also known as MeckWorks, which provides integrated employment placement and retention services. Businesses can engage these channels to identify candidates already connected to local training pipelines.

Practical Steps for Participation

Employers interested in the grants or apprenticeships can start by contacting Charlotte Works or the Office of Workforce Development through their listed program directories. The structure emphasizes direct connections between training providers and project needs rather than broad recruitment.

Next steps involve reviewing eligibility for the mobility workforce grants and registering interest in the apprenticeship pathways now open following the May 2026 awards. Details on business engagement appear in city resources outlining how firms can participate in the Skilled to Build initiative.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.