Part I titles the act as the Workforce Act of 2026 and specifies the purpose of the act's appropriations.

Part II.

States legislative findings. Appropriates $3.1 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office (Office) for 2026-27 to administer the ApprenticeshipNC program.

Part III.

States legislative findings. Appropriates $350,000 in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce (Department) for 2026-27 to be used for operational expenses and staffing to support NC Workforce Credentials pursuant to the act and state law. Directs the Department to engage employers to provide workforce data and link data on industry-valued credentials to five labor market outcomes, including wage outcomes and work location. Requires consultation with the Office, UNC System, and other stakeholders to align with the rules and regulations of federal Workforce Pell Grants and institutionalize workforce data sharing across State government. Directs the Department to encourage entities issuing industry-valued credentials to submit data to the NC Longitudinal Data System for incorporation into the System's warehouse. Requires the Department to give substantial weight to demonstrated wage outcomes and evidence that a credential provides students a positive return on investment. Authorizes the Department to use up to $50,000 each fiscal year for outreach and communications.

States legislative findings. Amends GS 115D-10.19 to authorize the Office to use up to 4% of funds appropriated to the NC Community College Short-Term Workforce Development Grant Program for administration of the Program. Appropriates $1 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Office for 2026-27 for the NC Community College Short-Term Workforce Development Grant Program.

Part IV.

Directs the State Education Assistance Authority to incorporate private colleges and universities in the State into the common digital transcript developed pursuant to SL 2023-134, Section 8A.15. Requires consultation with specified State entities. Directs the SEAA to report to the specified NCGA committee by March 15, 2027. Specified required content.

Part V.

States legislative findings. Directs the UNC System Office to expand the current initiative for the 2026-27 academic year to accelerate the transfer of course credits among postsecondary institutions using postsecondary transfer technology. Requires consultation with the Community Colleges System Office. Requires the expansion to provide and improve technology at participating institutions to simplify the credit transfer process, compare credit transfer options, and make decision making more efficient for students. Appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors (BOG) for 2026-27 for the expanded initiative and requires the funds be used to identify and develop programs to accelerate the transfer of postsecondary course credits. Directs the UNC System Office to report to the specified NCGA committee by March 15, 2027. Specifies required content.

States legislative findings. Appropriates $1.5 million in nonrecurring funds from the Information Technology Reserve to the Department for 2026-27 to enhance NC Careers.

Part VI.

Directs the NC Collaboratory to evaluate programs and initiatives established in Parts I through V of the Act each academic year through 2029-30 and annually report to the specified NCGA committee by March 15. Specifies required content. Appropriates $600,000 from the General Fund to the UNC BOG for 2026-27 to be allocated to the Collaboratory for required evaluation and reporting.

Part VII.

Effective July 1, 2026.