Welcome to Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today’s episode, we speak with Catherine Truitt, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Gary Salamido, CEO of  the NC Chamber. They discuss plans for a major new effort to advance the quality and quantity of the state’s workforce through closer alignment with N.C. students. With job openings at record levels, N.C. employers are facing unprecedented challenges in recruiting workers. Truitt and Salamido say rapid labor force changes require new approaches and more coordination between education and business leaders. The Chamber’s affiliated foundation is unveiling the new program during a Thursday Jan. 26 webinar.