Rachel Hunt Launches Jobs of the Future Initiative
The workforce development plan aims to prepare North Carolina residents for careers in growing fields like cybersecurity.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Internships
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Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt introduced the Jobs of the Future workforce initiative at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The program serves as a component of the broader Future-Ready North Carolina plan.
Why it matters
The initiative seeks to equip workers with skills for expanding industries while addressing the rising financial impact of digital and internet-based crimes across the state.
North Carolina internet crime losses rose to $431 million in 2025, up from $324 million in 2024. Additionally, losses specifically linked to artificial intelligence reached more than $15 million in 2025.
The players
Rachel Hunt
Rachel Hunt serves as the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina and leads state-level policy initiatives.
University of North Carolina Wilmington
The University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public research university that hosts the Center for Cyber Defense Education.
The details
The program emphasizes workforce development through increased investment in community colleges and child care facilities. It specifically targets growth in technical sectors, building upon academic infrastructure like the bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity launched at UNCW in 2022.
Timeline
April 2018: UNCW's Center for Cyber Defense Education was established.
Fall 2022: UNCW launched a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity.
2024: North Carolina internet crime losses totaled $324 million.
2025: North Carolina internet crime losses totaled $431 million.
October 15, 2026: Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt announced the initiative.
Market Landscape
The initiative aligns with the Future-Ready North Carolina plan to bolster the state's economic competitiveness. By focusing on cybersecurity and high-growth sectors, the state aims to protect its $16 billion annual port-related economic output from digital threats.
Residents may see increased state support for community college enrollment and child care services aimed at facilitating career shifts. These efforts are designed to help workers access emerging job markets while mitigating the rising threat of personal financial loss from internet crime.
The takeaway
The Jobs of the Future initiative underscores a transition toward specialized technical training to combat modern cyber threats. Residents should evaluate how these new educational resources align with their current professional development goals.
Further reading
Learn more about local career development through the Internships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWAYTV3.
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