The Centralina Workforce Development Board is in YOUR Community!

Check Out All the Things We did During January!

During the month of January 2012, the Centralina Workforce Development Board has been actively involved with events, seminars, training sessions, and other meetings all designed to help build a better workforce for our region. Beyond our involvement with the release of the 2012 Skills Survey of NC Employers, the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership, and the SPCC Workforce Mobilization grant, here are some the activities of the Board members and WDB staff for January:

Re-Employment Bridge Institute – Community Based training session – held on Wednesday January 12 in New Bern. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars along with RBI and Rowan-Cabarrus CC staff participated in this all day session to help workforce leaders in the nine-county Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board area learn new techniques in serving the dislocated worker. Over 40 individuals participated in this session.

DECA District Competition – held on Thursday January 5 at Concord High School. Centralina WDB Youth Programs Specialist Natasha Pender served as a judge for the competition among high school students.

Meeting with Donna Reed, founder of TBAGS (Teaching Boys and Girls Success, Inc.) – held on Monday January 9. Centralina WDB Youth Programs Specialist Natasha Pender discussed partnerships in entrepreneurship programming and the NC Youth Summit.

Mooresville Graded Schools Career Bridge meeting – held on Monday January 9 at NF Woods School in Mooresville. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director, participated in this meeting which is an advisory board for career and technical education

America’s Edge – presentation/meeting – held on Thursday January 19 at Time Warner Cable in Charlotte. Centralina WDB member Mary Ann Rasberry and WDB Youth Programs Specialist Natasha Pender participated in this information meeting where businesses have developed and advocacy initiative regarding early childhood education and workforce development.

Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce Annual meeting – held on Friday January 20 at the Cove Church in Mooresville. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director participated in this event along with many JobLink partners from throughout Iredell County. Former mayor Pat McCrory was the featured speaker.

Statesville Regional Economic Development – Committee of 100 meeting – held on Wednesday January 25 at the Statesville Civic Center. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director participated in this event which featured Dr. Michael Walden, Extension Economist at NC State University as the featured speaker.

Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual meeting – held on Friday January 27 at the Embassy Suites in Concord. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director attended this event along with many JobLink partners from throughout Cabarrus County.

Equal Opportunity Monitoring Visit – held on Thursday January 19 and Friday January 20. Conducted by Mose Dorsey of the NC Department of Commerce-Division of Workforce Solutions, the extensive monitoring review was conducted for all WIA programs and services offered by the Centralina WDB. WDB Program Operations Manager Patricia White assisted Mr. Dorsey and provided staff assistance in their visit to the Iredell County JobLink Career Center in Statesville.

Professional Development meeting with CharlotteWorks staff – held on Wednesday January 18. Centralina WDB Operations Manager Patricia White met with new CharlotteWorks Youth Manager Danielle Frazier to discuss youth services and WIA programs.

NC Workforce Development Board Directors Council meeting – held on Wednesday January 18 at Research Triangle Regional Partnership and on Thursday January 19 in Durham. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting involving NC Department of Commerce – Division of Workforce Development & Employment Security staff members.

NC Workforce Development Training Center board meeting – held on Wednesday January 11 in Greensboro. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director participated in this meeting.

Workforce Business Development and Assistance – provided by Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative for the following area companies:

• Conducted Incumbent Workforce Development Program orientation and grant application workshops. Ten (10) interested businesses and training providers attended the session hosted in partnership with N.C. State University’s Industrial Extension Service and held at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis (Cabarrus County) – January 12.
• Conducted Incumbent Workforce Development Program orientation and grant application workshop. Ten (10) interested businesses and training providers attended the session hosted in partnership with Stanly Community College and held at the Crutchfield Education Center in Locust (Stanly County) – January 13.
• Attended an E3 Kick Off Meeting for Rowan County. Met at the Rowan County Economic Development offices in Salisbury with team and staff from N.C. State University’s Industrial Extension office to map out a plan to launch an E3 project in the county (Rowan County) – January 31.
• Met with Joy Fortune, Workforce Development Services office at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont to talk about effective service deliver in our area, including expansion to Stanly County – January 31

These are only a few examples of how your Centralina Workforce Development Board is actively involved with our partners in our counties every month. To find out more about getting involved with the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org or visit our website at www.centralinaworks.com. The Centralina Workforce Development – The Competitive Force in Our Global Economy