The Power of Partnerships

Centralina businesses and career seekers face a wide range of workforce challenges.  Businesses deal with ongoing turnover, retention issues, and high recruitment costs that can impact their bottom line.  Career seekers need information on how to build and grow their career paths in industries that are in high demand. The success of the Iredell County JobLink Career Centers comes from the strength and depth of its partnerships. By putting many resources for job seekers and employers under one roof, services are provided more efficiently and effectively .

Get to know our JobLink partners that show commitment to workforce excellence everyday. In Iredell County, the Employment Security Commission hosts the JobLink Career Centers.

Employment Security Commission
Employment Security Commission is the host agency of the JobLink Career Centers in Iredell County. The ESC offers all of its services to customers at each of the two Centers. There is one center in Statesville and one in Mooresville. Services provided include but are not limited to job referral and placement, job development, unemployment insurance, resume preparation assistance, veterans employment services, employer technical services, labor market information, TAA, ATAA, and HCTC services. Available jobs are on the website but additionally Center staff list them on a bulletin board for those customers who do not want to use a computer. The Center has a book for Iredell County jobs and some sole source employers. The JobLink Management Team has developed a PowerPoint presentation that is used at employer orientation sessions for companies with announced layoffs or closures. There is a TV/VCR available in the Center and customers may check out educational videos to view. The JobLink Career Center has utilized work experience clients from Iredell County Department of Social Services and students placed here by I-CARE, Inc. under the WIA Youth experience program. The Statesville Center currently has a worker here placed by Iredell County Council on Aging. She assists customers with JobLink services as well as helping to inform them of Council on Aging services.

Mitchell Community College
Mitchell Community College provides services at their main campus and other satellite sites in the county. Services include a variety of degree programs, career counseling, job placement, assessment, education skill training, financial aid, and scholarships. Their presence at the Iredell County JobLink Career Center - Statesville allows for easy customer access to information about the types of training available, financial aid, and other community college services. Services provided by the college include job seeking skills workshops and follow up sessions for FREI (Federal Re-Employment Initiative) participants. Specific classes for WIA customers planning to go back to school are also offered - Re-Training Transition class . Mitchell Community College developed the idea for the classes in conjunction with ESC based on the needs of customers that staff had been working with. Through our partnership in providing the FREE workshops, the JobLink Career Center purchased videos and learning tapes for customers to use in the follow-up sessions or whenever they wish in using Mitchell Community College's services. Directional signage was provided to guide individuals to the classes. The JobLink Career Center and Mitchell CC have also purchased materials to use whenever temporary career centers are set up to assist employees at companies that are closing.

Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational Rehabilitation primary services include physical restoration, training, guidance and counseling (including substance abuse), evaluation, job placement and support services. The Iredell County JobLink Career Center - Statesville is used by Vocational Rehabilitation counselors and casework technicians to meet VR clients on occasion and assist them in resume preparation using the Career Resource Center. Internet accessibility is also readily available to VR staff through the JobLink Career Center for use in exploring current job opportunities and their requirements so that selective placement of clients can be as timely as possible. VR counselors who work specifically with Deaf and Hard of Hearing from the Morganton area use the Center monthly for client meetings.

Vocational Rehabilitation provides training such as work adjustment training, supported employment training, vocational and trade school training, college training (community college and university) and on-the-job training.

 Iredell County Department of Social Services
Iredell County Department of Social Services (DSS) Work First is a partner of the Iredell County JobLink Career Center. A representative is at the JobLink Career Center in Statesville three times per month.. A representative is at the Mooresville JobLink Career Center Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  The DSS representatives counsel with any individuals to make appropriate referrals to clients for services offered at DSS and answers any questions. The DSS representatives will also assist individuals in the JobLink career resource center as needed. The DSS representatives utilize resources at the Center to help provide job search assistance for participants seeking employment. The Iredell County DSS staff also contacts businesses to search potential job openings for job seekers.

Services provided through WFFA (Work First Family Assistance) vary from one family to another based on their assessed need. These services include:

• WFFA cash*
• Transportation Assistance to support an employment plan*
• Vocational training
• Job Search
• Work experience
• 40 hours per week employment plan
• Substance abuse services
• Domestic violence services
• Job Referrals
• Community resource referrals
• First Stop
• Child Support referrals
• QSAP (Qualified Substance Abuse Professional) services
• Wheels-to-work
• Emergency assistance
• Food stamps - if apply and are eligible
• EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) information
• Work-related clothing such as uniforms
• Any other supportive service identified that we can provide

Work First also places participants at the Iredell County JobLink Center - Statesville for work experience. There is collaboration between DSS staff, Work First participants and the JobLink Career Center.

I-CARE, INC.
I Care, Inc. has been in the business of "Helping People Help Themselves" since 1965. The self-sufficiency program is designed to aid low-income families and individuals in becoming independent while moving above the poverty guidelines. The caseworkers provide:

• Job Development
• Job Placement
• Resume Preparation
• Mock Interviews
• Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Services - for younger youth and older youth (under contract with the Centralina Workforce Development Board)

School Systems
The Iredell-Statesville Schools and Mooresville Graded School District prepare students to be contributing members of society, and the school system promotes lifelong learning. Teachers bring students to the Iredell County JobLink Career Center (Statesville or Mooresville) so that they can learn about the services offered and how to access them. Also the Career Development Coordinators help plan and implement Career Fairs for High School students. The following are some additional ways that the schools and the JobLink Career Centers collaborate for the benefit of both and the community:

• Students placed at JobLink Career Center under an Internship
• JobLink staff members conduct presentations at career & technical classes at schools in Mooresville and Iredell-Statesville Schools, both high school and middle school age groups.
• JobLink staff have participated in Job Fairs held by the NASCAR Technical Institute
• Students from area schools have come in groups to the JobLink Career Center with the school career counselors to learn about Center and how to use the services.
• Sessions are held for the career counselors of Iredell-Statesville Schools to familiarize them with the JobLink Career Center operations.
• JobLink Marketing materials are used in classes at the Mooresville Graded Schools as well as some Job Seeking Skills Handbooks that were obtained through JobLink Funds.

 
Goodwill
Goodwill is many things.They are a donor-driven agency. They are a retailer. They are a contract services operation and a major recycler of textiles. But most importantly, they are a leader in workforce development services. Through classes, training, and work experience offered at their Workforce Development Centers, people develop the marketable skills they need to obtain and maintain meaningful employment.

Goodwill transforms donations into jobs and job training for thousands of people in northwest North Carolina each year. At Goodwill, they believe that all people, regardless of situation, should have access to meaningful employment. Each time you donate items to Goodwill or shop in our stores, you are supporting training programs that help people with barriers to employment find jobs and become more self-sufficient.

Goodwill qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a nonprofit, they take our responsibilities to the public very seriously. Goodwill is consistently ranked among top efficient charities that make your donations go further.

Goodwill's Mission

We create opportunities for people to enhance their lives through training, workforce development services and collaboration with other community organizations.

Goodwill's Vision

We will be satisfied only when every person in northwest North Carolina has the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of a productive life.

The Goodwill Story

Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina was founded in 1926 by Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem to provide a means of employment for the community's residents with disabilities. Clothing and other items were gathered from community members and then repaired and sold by citizens with disabilities.
Over time, Goodwill expanded its mission to include individuals with socioeconomic barriers to employment. The philosophy of "a hand up, not a hand out" was the impetus for the founding of Goodwill and the organization remains committed to that concept today.

CARF Accreditation

Goodwill's programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF is an independent, not-for-profit agency promoting quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons receiving services. Their CARF accreditation ensures that:

• Their programs and services actively involve consumers in selecting, planning, and using services.
• Their programs and services have met consumer-focused, state-of-the-art national standards of performance.
• Their organization is focused on assisting each consumer in achieving his or her chosen goals and outcomes.

Additional JobLink Community Partners include:
Centralina Workforce Development Board
Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce
Greater Statesville Development Corporation
Information & Referral Services of Iredell
Iredell County Council on Aging
Iredell County Partnership for Young Children (Smart Start)
Iredell Vocational Workshop
Mooresville Housing Authority
Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce& Economic Development
Statesville Housing Authority
Vocational Rehabilitation-Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
United Way of Iredell County
JobCorp
Turning Point