Why We’re Committed
“There are many puzzles in life that we strive to solve and navigating the complexities of credentialing has historically been one of the more complicated puzzles. Demystifying training opportunities has to remain a priority for everyone involved in the workforce and economic development ecosystems. We are proud to partner with Credential Engine in Western NC as we continue to bridge opportunities to prospective students so that starting and finishing a career pathway isn’t one of life’s most complex puzzles.” – Emily Nicholson, Executive Director, Land of Sky P20 Council
About
North Carolina
Together, Forsyth Tech, Land of Sky P20 Council, and Our Future in UNiSON represent a coordinated statewide movement toward credential transparency. With support from Credential Engine’s technologies, standards, and grants, North Carolina is building a robust, open data infrastructure that strengthens alignment between education and workforce systems, increases visibility of high‑value credentials, empowers learners and job seekers with clear, comparable information, and enables employers to better understand local talent pipelines.
The work in North Carolina began with Forsyth Technical Community College, which launched a regional effort to align education and workforce systems and accelerate learning pathways. As part of its Aligning the Workforce Education System for Manufacturing (AWESM) project, Forsyth Tech leveraged a Strengthening Community Colleges grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor and partnered with Credential Engine to publish transparent data on badges, diplomas, certificates, associate degrees, courses, competencies, and pathways. Particularly in machining, mechatronics, and welding. This early leadership demonstrated how CTDL‑powered transparency can strengthen manufacturing talent pipelines.
Building on this foundation, the Land of Sky P20 Council leveraged Credential Engine’s Bill and Melinda Gates 2024 Gates Grant to improve access to workforce credentials across western North Carolina. By publishing NC Workforce Credentials data from regional institutions and embedding Credential Finder widgets on its website, LoSP20 increased visibility for students and job seekers and made credential information more accessible across the region. You can learn more about this work in the Land of Sky P20 Council Credential Attainment Interview Series here.
Most recently, Our Future in UNiSON led by Wingate University, a collaborative of education, community, government, and business stakeholders in Anson and Union counties, has advanced the state’s transparency efforts even further with the support of Credential Engine’s 2025 Gates Grant. Focused on increasing the number of residents with high‑quality credentials or degrees, UNiSON partnered with Credential Engine to publish learning opportunities and career pathways in healthcare, business/finance, manufacturing, and information technology as displayed here. This collaboration helped clarify career pathways and ensure that regional opportunities are visible to learners and workers seeking career opportunities with regional employers.
North Carolina’s growing network of partners demonstrates how transparent credential data can drive opportunity, improve workforce readiness, and support long‑term regional and statewide prosperity.
Use the Credential Finder to explore North Carolina’s published data in the Credential Registry!
Additional Resources
Credential Engine Signs On to Support Forsyth Tech’s Strengthening Community Colleges Vision
Credential Finder – Forsyth Technical Community College
Video Series: Land of Sky P20 Council Credential Attainment Interview Series
Credential Finder – North Carolina Workforce Credentials Offered in the Land of Sky Region
State Partners
Regional Partners
Get in Touch
Our team of experts is ready to help you embark your credential transparency journey. Whether you have questions about our technologies, services, or don’t know how to get started, we’re here to assist.