Hidden/Lost Talent Initiatives

Eastern North Carolina is chock full of opportunity and talent, but not everyone knows how to recognize it or access it. We are committed to identifying and engaging individuals and communities who may be underserved or overlooked. From opportunity youth to military veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals to post-industrial communities, there is a wealth of talent and potential to be cultivated. We’re creating an ecosystem that connects potential to opportunity.

---

Hidden/lost talent goals:

Unleashing untapped potential 

Our hidden & lost talent initiatives aim to:

• Engage opportunity youth (ages 16-24) who are out of school and work, providing career pathways and opportunities
• Support our veterans transitioning to civilian careers with resources and job opportunities that leverage their training and skills
• Create opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals to re-enter the workforce and build rewarding lives and careers
• Build a collaborative network of businesses, educators, and nonprofits to connect untapped talent to economic opportunities

---

What we do:

Strengthening communities through opportunity

We deliver on our hidden & lost talent goals through focused initiatives, including:

• Opportunity Youth Programs:
  Connecting young people who are ready for work to mentorship, education, and skills training so they can access meaningful careers here at home

• Veteran Transition Support:
  Partnering with national and community organizations to help veterans translate their military experience into successful civilian jobs

• Second-Chance Employment Programs:
  Collaborating with employers to create pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals to contribute to the workforce

• Overlooked Talent Programs:
  Bringing awareness to talent that is valuable to our employers but often overlooked, like immigrant populations, homeschooled students, and parochial students