RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Josh Stein said he wants North Carolina to be the number one state in the country for the growth of apprenticeship programs.

He paid a visit to Wake Technical Community College last week, where he got an inside look at their auto tech facilities.

Wake Tech prioritizes practical classroom experience combined with actual work experience for its students.

Stein said these students are an important key to success for North Carolina. The school is one of the fastest growing apprenticeship colleges in the country.

In their studies, students gain skills that will serve them well in their future careers and endeavors.

“As our state’s economy continues to grow, we must ensure that our workforce is ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” the governor said.“As our state’s economy continues to grow, we must ensure that our workforce is ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” the governor said.

Four hundred students are enrolled in the college’s automotive programs. Part of what they’re learning about is electric vehicles, an industry under scrutiny by the Trump administration.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation paused funds for future electric vehicle charging stations. It seeks to audit the spending to verify sound financial practices. Stein wants this move to be made with care.

“I’ve written our congressional delegation to urge them to not do anything rash,” Stein said. “We all want to have efficiency in how the money is spent, but you cannot break it in the process of slowing things down.”

Because Wake Tech is mostly funded by the state and county, electric vehicle education remains a priority.

“I believe EVs will be the main market sometime within the next ten years,” student Yasser Abdssamad said. “It may not be the main focus now with, you know, gasoline cars. A lot of them are still present. But I think in the future, you know, we’re going to go to EV.”

Stein issued a proclamation declaring February Career and Technical Education Month.

He says programs like this are a triple win.

“It’s a win for the students because they learn skills and get good paying jobs,” Stein said.“It’s a win for the students because they learn skills and get good paying jobs,” Stein said. “It’s a win for our employers because they get well-trained students who they work with over the course of their education through the apprenticeships.”

According to the governor, a growing economy requires a prepared workforce. The Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence has more than tripled in enrollment over the last five years.

School-wide, Wake Tech serves almost 50,000 students in career programs that get them ready for high demand jobs.