RALEIGH, N.C. (November 4, 2026) – Wake County voters approved Wake Tech's $149.1 million Workforce Forward Bond referendum in Tuesday's election, investing in public safety, skilled trades, automotive and healthcare training to prepare workers for critical jobs and support the county's growing economy. The referendum received 62% of the vote.

"We are grateful to Wake County voters for their confidence in Wake Tech and their investment in our students and our community's future," Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls said. "This bond will help us expand training for critical careers and improve the facilities and technology our students need to succeed. It is an investment in the skilled workforce that keeps Wake County moving forward."

The bond provides $41 million to expand workforce programs and training capacity:

• $20 million for public safety to help complete the Fire and Rescue Training Center at Eastern Wake Campus. The project includes classrooms, simulation and decontamination labs, flexible training space, equipment and an apparatus bay
• $12 million for skilled trades to expand welding, electrical systems and HVAC labs at Southern Wake Campus and upgrade ventilation and cooling systems
• $5 million for Automotive Systems Technology to expand facilities at the Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence on Scott Northern Wake Campus and support electric vehicle and manufacturer training programs
• $2 million for Dental Hygiene to improve the lecture hall, simulation lab and clinic at Perry Health Sciences Campus
• $2 million for planning for the future expansion of Conlon Western Wake Campus

Another $65 million will fund renovations at Southern Wake Campus, Wake Tech's original campus, where many buildings have served students for decades. The work will update aging classrooms, labs and infrastructure and improve spaces used for Diesel & Heavy Equipment Systems Technology, engineering and architecture, Construction Management Technology and other programs.

The remaining $43.1 million will support collegewide renewal. That includes $20.4 million for building systems, safety, security, accessibility, roads, parking and wayfinding, and $22.7 million for technology infrastructure, equipment, software, vehicles and specialized learning spaces.

Wake Tech will work with Wake County to begin planning and implementing the approved projects.

In 2022, Wake County voters approved Wake Tech's $353 million Workforce Forward Bond with 70% support. That referendum funded a major expansion of Perry Health Sciences Campus, a permanent campus in western Wake County, technology training renovations at RTP Campus and renovations and technology upgrades across the college.