Panelists at Charlotte retreat urge earn‑and‑learn, childcare and employer‑led pipelines to fill mobility era jobs

Charlotte’s workforce development discussion at the council retreat brought national and regional practitioners to the table and underscored a recurring message: investments in mobility and infrastructure will only deliver promised economic opportunity if the city builds coordinated, employer‑focused training pathways, reliable supports and ways to scale proven programs.

Danielle Frazier, director of Charlotte’s Office of Workforce Development, opened the panel by describing the city’s work to finalize a strategic workforce plan and to use employer partnerships to shape training and hiring. “Successful workforce development programs are important when you have employer leaders at the table driving the efforts,” she said, and introduced leaders from Phoenix, Austin, Philadelphia, Boston and Atrium Health to describe on‑the‑ground programs.

Examples shared at the retreat:

- Austin: Yael Lawson described the Infrastructure Academy, a public‑private partnership created to meet multiple simultaneous projects (light rail expansion, highway work, airport expansion, corporate investments). The Academy brings recruitment, training,…