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. Get to know our JobLink partners that show commitment to workforce excellence everyday.

In Union County, the JobLink Career Center is hosted by the Employment Security Commission (ESC).

The success of the Union County JobLink Career Center System 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. Listed below are the JobLink Partners and the specific services they provide. (You may also read/download the entire Union County Community Resource Directory (PDF) by clicking here.) To learn more about a partnering agency, click on its logo.

The Employment Security Commission (ESC)
In Union County, the Monroe ESC office hosts the JobLink Career Center. ESC staff is available Monday- Friday 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. Services include:

• America's Talent Bank
  America's Talent Bank is the place where people who are looking for a job can market themselves by creating a quality resume and then posting it electronically.
• Employer Technical Services
  Employer Technical Services include technical consultation, employee opinion surveys, job analysis, and assistance to help resolve personnel - related concerns such as turnover and absenteeism.
• Employment Counseling
  Employment Counseling assists any individual in need of vocational guidance through in-depth interviews, check lists, and aptitude testing.
• First Stop Registration
  ESC registers for work most individuals applying or re-applying for TANF benefits. Most applicants deemed Job Ready will be referred to one or more jobs.
• Food Stamp Employment and Training Registration
  ESC registers and assesses non-exempt Food Stamp applicants for employment. Those who are job ready are referred to jobs. Those who are not job ready are referred to other service providers. ESC monitors the progress of each registrant and provides feedback to DSS.
• Internet and Skill-Net
  Job orders are available worldwide via ESC Online on Internet. Skill-Net is where an individual can peruse via Internet, Job Service applicants' work experience and education.
• Job Information Service/Job Bank
  This is a statewide computer network, instantaneously listing job orders at all ESC offices, selected community colleges, universities, and partner workforce agencies.
• Job Placement Services
  Job placement services involves filling job openings with occupationally qualified workers, and finding jobs for workers suited to their skills, knowledge and abilities.
• JOBS Line
  JOBS Line can give individuals information about job openings in their area, by touch-tone telephone.
• Labor Market Information
  Labor Market Information is available through publications and the Internet relating to the composition of the labor force, characteristics of unemployment, and projected employment prospects.
• TAA/TRA Enrollment
  TAA/TRA are federal programs which provide assistance to workers who lose their jobs as a result of increased imports.
• Unemployment Insurance
  Unemployment Insurance provides temporary income protection to workers with coverage during periods of involuntary unemployment.
• Veterans Employment Services
  Veterans Employment Services provide to employers and veterans assistance such as: the placement of veterans; veteran re-employment rights; and employment counseling.
• WIA/Dislocated Worker Services
  The Dislocated Worker Program provides retraining opportunities for individuals who have lost their jobs through layoffs and plant or business closings. Retraining may be on-the-job or classroom training.
• Work Opportunity Tax Credit Screening
  This program offers employers a credit against their tax liability for hiring individuals from certain target groups.
• Worker Profiling
  ESC conducts assessments and develops a plan of re-employment services for each claimant identified and selected for services by the Profiling system.

South Piedmont Community College
SPCC staff are available Monday- Friday 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. SPCC services include:

• Adult Basic Skills (ABS)
  The ABS program is for adults who are functioning on less than an eighth grade level. The program is designed to work with nonreaders or adults working on functional living skills. Primary emphasis is given to reading and math skills. No cost.
• Adult High School (AHS)
  Serves adults who are pursuing their high school diploma through an agreement of affiliation with Union County Public School System. Twenty credits are required. For students between the ages of 16 and 17 the number of units required is 28 credits. Students must also pass the North Carolina Competency Test before the diploma is awarded.
• Career Services
  Offers a variety of career services to students including individual and group career counseling, interest testing, personality profiles, educational and career information, library computerized guidance software programs, job referral services, interview skills, resume preparation assistance, and career planning services.
• College Admission
  Offers career training in a variety of fields including health care, computer technologies, law enforcement, cosmetology, and other business and professional programs. Financial assistance is available.
• Continuing Education
  Offers vocational, technical, and business courses designed to provide knowledge applicable to the student's present occupation and training. These include courses for business and management, fire service training, emergency medical services training, law enforcement training, health occupations and technical and vocational advancement and upgrading.
• Curriculum Programs
  Offers 21 two year programs, 13 one year programs and 9 certificate programs. All programs require a high school diploma or a GED for admission. Potential students should contact the admission office for more details.
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
  The ESL program is based on three levels from beginning to advanced. The program is designed for students who do not speak English as their primary language.
• Focused Industrial Training
  The Focused Industrial Training Program serves the manufacturing industry and provides the training for skilled and non-skilled workers.
• General Educational Development (GED)
  The GED is an equivalent to a high school diploma. Students are required to enroll in GED preparation classes prior to taking the test. The classes review and teach all five subject areas covered by the GED: writing skills, social studies, science, reading, and math skills. A $7.50 GED testing fee is charged.
• Human Resource Development
  This program is designed to place unemployed and underemployed adults in employment or training for employment. The curriculum is designed to orient and motivate individuals for the work environment. Vocational assessment, resume writing, and job seeking skills are emphasized in the classes.
• New & Expanding Industry Training
  Develops training resources and integrates those resources into a comprehensive education service for companies new to Union County and also for existing companies involved in major expansion efforts.
• Post-Secondary Education
  South Piedmont Community College offers career training in a variety of fields including health care, computer technologies, law enforcement, cosmetology, and other business and professional programs. Programs of study last from several months to two years and are very affordable. Financial assistance is available.
• Small Business Development Center
  The Small Business Development Center helps the local community by providing one-on-one counseling, monitoring, and assistance to begin a small business.

Union County Community Action, Inc.
Union County Community Action, Inc. (UCCA) is a private non-profit corporation structured in accordance with standards and requirements of the Federal Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and amendments. This Act states, "The basic purpose of community action is to stimulate a better focusing of all available local, state, private, and federal resources upon the goals of enabling low-income families and low-income individuals of all ages…..to obtain skills, knowledge, and motivations, and secure the opportunities needed for them to become fully self-sufficient."
UCCA staff are available Monday- Friday 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. UCCA Services include:

• Community Service Block Grant
  Union County Community Action can provide cash assistance up to half of the cost for rent, utilities, child care, clothing, tuition, medical, transportation, and other services as needed contingent upon meeting income eligibility requirements and successful participation in required workshops. The recipient is expected to pay at least 50% of the cost. The goal of this program is to help families move to self-sufficiency.
• Literacy Program Contact
  Provided for the parents of children who attend the Headstart/Early Headstart program at Winchester. Teaches parents literacy and pre-literacy skills.
• WIA Title I Adult Training Assessment and Enrollment
  Assists eligible adults in achieving academic and/or employment success through core, intensive, and occupational skills training.
• WIA Title II Youth Training Assessment and Enrollment
  A year round, on-the-job training program for in-school and out-of-school youth, ages 14-21. Provides hands on job training experience which is designed to expose youth to the working world, and helps them acquire necessary skills and knowledge to obtain a job and advance in employment.

NC Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
VR provides services to individuals with physical or mental impairment which results in a substantial impediment to employment. Vocational Rehabilitation services include:

• Job Development, Placement, and Retention Services
  Vocational rehabilitation counselors work with individuals who have a disabling condition to provide them job development, job placement, and job retention services.
• Physical and Mental Restoration Services
  Provides assistance to eligible individuals who have physical or mental disabilities that impede their ability to obtain or maintain competitive employment.
• Vocational Guidance & Counseling
  Works with individuals who have a disabling condition to provide counseling regarding vocational options, training options, and community resources.
• Vocational Training Services
  Eligible individuals may receive an array of training services designed to prepare them for employment in their area of vocational interest.

Union County Department of Social Services
The mission of the Union County Department of Social Services is to serve the basic needs of Union County families by promoting their self-sufficiency and protection. DSS provides the following services:

• Cash Assistance
  Work First Family Assistance provides a money payment and medical assistance to families with children who are deprived of the care or support of one or both parents due to death, physical or mental incapacity, absence from the home or unemployment.
• Family and Children's Medicaid
  Medicaid provides payment for basic medical care to families and children based on need, income, and resources.
• Medicaid for Families & Children
  Medicaid provides payment for basic medical care to families and children based on need, income, and resources.
• NC Health Choice for Children
  Free or low-cost Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance for children through age 18. Public Health provides outreach efforts. DSS determines eligibility.
• Work First Family Assistance
  A state wide program designed to help people on welfare take responsibility for themselves and their families by finding and keeping jobs.

Union County Public Schools
The Union County Public Schools provides guidance for career development in the public school system. Their services include:

• Internships & Job Shadowing with Local Businesses
  Work-based learning experiences for local high school students with local businesses. Internships involve the students training in the work place, which could involve monetary compensation. Job shadowing is short-term observation with no monetary compensation.
• Vocational Guidance & Counseling
  Works with individuals who have a disabling condition to provide counseling regarding vocational options, training options, and community resources.