Best Job & Career in North Carolina — 14 resources

About Job & Career for Women

Job and career resources for women run through the 2,400+ American Job Centers (AJCs) nationwide, the Department of Labor's Women's Bureau, and SBA Women's Business Centers. AJCs offer free job search, resume help, and WIOA-funded training (often

0,000+ in tuition for in-demand occupations). WANTO grants fund women entering nontraditional trades like construction, electrical, and HVAC. Registered Apprenticeships pay workers during training, and organizations like Chicago Women in Trades, Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW), and Dress for Success support entry and re-entry. For formerly incarcerated women, programs like the Center for Employment Opportunities provide transitional jobs. This directory includes AJCs, WBCs, apprenticeships, and women-focused workforce programs.

Job & Career in North Carolina

North Carolina district courts handle family matters in all 100 counties, with some counties having dedicated family court sessions. The Child Support Services Section operates under DHHS. Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem are the largest metros. Legal Aid of North Carolina and the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) serve women statewide.

14 Resources

1. NCWorks — State Employment Services — Free

NCWorks — State Employment Services serves women in North Carolina and surrounding North Carolina communities with job training, career coaching, and reemployment services. Contact (888) 737-0259 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Service hours run Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.

(888) 737-0259 · Multiple NC locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont — Free

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont provides job training, career coaching, and reemployment services for women in North Carolina. Dial (704) 372-3434 for an initial conversation about your situation. Hours are Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

(704) 372-3434 · Multiple Charlotte area locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. NC Small Business & Technology Development Center — Free

NC Small Business & Technology Development Center provides job training, career coaching, and reemployment services for women in North Carolina. Call (919) 715-7272 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. Free for qualifying North Carolina mothers and their children.

(919) 715-7272 · Multiple NC locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. NC Apprenticeship Program — Free

NC Apprenticeship Program provides job training, career coaching, and reemployment services for women in North Carolina. Dial (919) 814-0300 for an initial conversation about your situation. Service hours run Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.

(919) 814-0300 · Statewide program · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. CareerOneStop — Free

US Department of Labor career, training, and job search portal. Find American Job Centers near you for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce who need vetted, plain-language information on resume review, interview prep, job placement, and career counseling. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

6. America's Job Centers — Free

Free in-person career help, training referrals, and job search assistance at 2,400+ AJC locations nationwide for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce who need vetted, plain-language information on resume review, interview prep, job placement, and career counseling. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. DOL Women's Bureau — Free

US Department of Labor agency promoting good jobs and equity for working women. Resources and data. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce who need vetted, plain-language information on resume review, interview prep, job placement, and career counseling. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. Dress for Success — Free

Free professional attire and career development services for women entering the workforce. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce who need vetted, plain-language information on resume review, interview prep, job placement, and career counseling. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Bottomless Closet — Free

Free interview-appropriate clothing and career development for women seeking economic independence. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce who need vetted, plain-language information on resume review, interview prep, job placement, and career counseling. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Year Up — Free

Free 1-year career training program for young adults 18-29 leading to corporate apprenticeships for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce who need vetted, plain-language information on resume review, interview prep, job placement, and career counseling. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Goodwill Career Services — Free

Free job training, career counseling, and placement at Goodwill centers nationwide for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce who need vetted, plain-language information on resume review, interview prep, job placement, and career counseling. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Women Employed — Free

Improving the economic status of women through advocacy and career navigation services. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce who need vetted, plain-language information on resume review, interview prep, job placement, and career counseling. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. SCORE — Free Business Mentors — Free

Free mentoring and business education for entrepreneurs, including women business owners. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce who need vetted, plain-language information on resume review, interview prep, job placement, and career counseling. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership — Free

US Small Business Administration support for women entrepreneurs including Women's Business Centers. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce who need vetted, plain-language information on resume review, interview prep, job placement, and career counseling. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many job & career resources are in North Carolina?
Women's Corner tracks 14 job & career resources for women in North Carolina.
Are job & career resources in North Carolina free?
14 of the 14 listed job & career resources in North Carolina are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in North Carolina have job & career resources?
Resources serve multiple cities and counties in North Carolina.
What are some examples of job & career resources in North Carolina?
Featured entries include NCWorks — State Employment Services, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, NC Small Business & Technology Development Center, NC Apprenticeship Program, CareerOneStop.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
4 of 14 North Carolina job & career listings include phone numbers.
Where do I get free job training?
Your local American Job Center (find at CareerOneStop.org or call 1-877-872-5627) offers free training, resume help, and job placement through the WIOA program. Goodwill, Dress for Success, and Bottomless Closet provide job-readiness, interview clothing, and coaching. Community colleges run short-term certificate programs (CNA, medical billing, IT) under
,000 that lead to immediate jobs.
Are there programs that hire single mothers?
Yes. Many employers partner with Goodwill, YWCA, and Workforce Boards on second-chance and single-mom hiring tracks — childcare assistance, flexible schedules, and tuition reimbursement included. Look at 'Family Forward NC' style state initiatives, certified Family-Friendly employers, and federal contractors (required to support working parents). Healthcare and logistics are the fastest-growing single-mom-friendly fields.
How do I write a resume after years out of the workforce?
Skip the chronological format — use a functional or hybrid resume that leads with skills (organization, budgeting, time management, problem-solving from caregiving counts). Reframe volunteer work, PTA, and freelance work as professional experience. Free help: American Job Centers, Dress for Success Career Center, LinkedIn's free resume builder, and the SBA Women's Business Centers.
What if I have a criminal record?
You still qualify for most jobs — Ban-the-Box laws in 37 states delay background questions until later in hiring. Federal contractors can't ask about records on the initial application. The Federal Bonding Program insures employers against loss for hiring you. Many states allow expungement of certain records after a waiting period — ask legal aid about clearing your record.