North Carolina Senate considers bill to broaden workforce training, introduce digital credentials

State Sen. Michael V. Lee has introduced a new bill in the North Carolina Senate that seeks to expand workforce training programs and advance digital credentialing for students, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The legislation, filed as SB 991 on April 30 during the 2025 regular session, is titled the ‘Community College Workforce Readiness Act.’

Below is our summary of key points, drawn from the official bill text, providing clarification where needed.

This bill extends a statewide workforce training program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, from up to 15 to up to 25 community colleges, and allocates $3.85 million in recurring funding starting with the 2026-27 fiscal year to cover staffing, outreach, resources and per-college grants. Under the proposal, ApprenticeshipNC would be required to create and report on accelerated apprenticeship paths leading into teaching—such as high school-to-licensure models utilizing both community college and university courses—by March 15, 2027. Additionally, it directs $4.9 million in one-time funds for 2026-27 to establish a statewide digital credential system and mobile wallet for community college students. The act would be effective July 1, 2026.

Among the three sponsors, Lee filed the most legislation—54 bills—during the 2025 regular session.

Legislation in North Carolina moves through a multi-step procedure before it becomes law. A bill is first filed by a lawmaker, assigned to a committee, and must be read three times in both legislative chambers. If either chamber amends the bill after passage, both must concur on the finalized version. Once identical bills pass both chambers, the legislation is sent to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 days if the assembly is out of session) to sign, veto or allow the measure to become law without a signature.

Find additional details on these and other bills here.

Lee earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1991 and a JD from Wake Forest University Law School in 1997.

The Republican legislator was elected to represent the 7th Senate district in the North Carolina State Senate in 2023, succeeding former state senator Jim Perry.