Johnston County Workforce Initiative Draws National Attention as Model for Preparing Future Talent

Entering its eighth year, JOCO WORKS has reached more than 25,000 students and is attracting interest from communities seeking to replicate its collaborative approach to workforce development.

SMITHFIELD, NC — October 2026 — What began in 2019 as a collaborative effort to introduce Johnston County students to local career opportunities has grown into a workforce development initiative attracting attention from education, business, and community leaders across North Carolina and beyond.

Now entering its eighth year, JOCO WORKS has reached more than 25,000 students through a coordinated approach that connects career exploration, professional development, and work-based learning. The initiative's success has generated growing interest from other communities seeking to develop similar talent pipelines.

On November 5–6, more than 3,500 eighth-grade students from public, charter, private, and homeschools will participate in JOCO WORKS World of Workforce (WOW) at Johnston Community College. More than 40 local industry exhibitors will introduce students to career pathways through interactive, hands-on experiences designed to connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities.

But the story behind JOCO WORKS extends well beyond the two-day event.

Its success is rooted in a shared commitment among education, business, government, and community partners to address the region's future workforce needs. Rather than operating as a standalone career fair, JOCO WORKS provides a coordinated pathway for students, beginning with career awareness in eighth grade, progressing to professional readiness in tenth grade, and culminating in internship opportunities for eleventh- and twelfth-grade students.

"JOCO WORKS demonstrates what is possible when an entire community takes ownership of developing its future workforce," said Kelly Wallace, President and CEO of the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce. "Our greatest strength isn't any single event or program. It's the commitment of our education partners, businesses, and community leaders working together toward a shared goal. That collaboration is what makes JOCO WORKS successful and what other communities are interested in learning from."

The initiative's growing recognition recently extended to the national stage, where representatives from the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce, Novo Nordisk, Johnston Community College, and Johnston County Public Schools presented the JOCO WORKS model at the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC) Conference.

As communities across the country seek solutions to workforce shortages and talent development challenges, JOCO WORKS offers an example of how sustained collaboration can connect students with local industries while strengthening a region's long-term economic competitiveness.

The 2026 WOW Expo will feature expanded employer participation, including a new Entrepreneurship & Small Business industry category that introduces students to business ownership, innovation, and emerging career opportunities.

Media Opportunity — November 5–6

Media representatives are invited to experience JOCO WORKS WOW firsthand at Johnston Community College. Opportunities include filming hands-on career demonstrations, interviewing students and participating employers, and speaking with education and community leaders about the program's impact and growing interest from other communities.

For additional information, visit JOCOWORKS.org.