MORGANTON, N.C. (WHKY) — Governor Josh Stein visited Broughton Hospital in Morganton Thursday (July 16) to announce the launch of STEP-NC: Health Care, the state’s first health care apprenticeship program within North Carolina state government. The Governor was joined by Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai and leadership at Broughton for the announcement.

The new initiative, created in partnership with the North Carolina Business Committee for Education, is beginning with pilot programs at Broughton Hospital and the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center. The program is designed to address shortages of health care workers by creating career pathways for high school students, recent graduates, and adult learners.

The first group includes six recent Burke County high school graduates serving as pre-apprentices in behavioral health and maintenance technician programs this summer. After completing the program, participants can apply for registered apprenticeships leading to careers in North Carolina’s health care system.

State health officials say they plan to expand the apprenticeship model to other state-operated health facilities. The effort is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the behavioral health workforce through partnerships with local schools, Western Piedmont Community College, and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Governor Stein says the program will provide tuition-free training, help fill critical staffing shortages, and build a stronger pipeline of health care professionals to meet North Carolina’s growing mental health needs.