From Planning to Results

Allied Heath Regional Skills Partnership in Action

The Competitive Workforce Alliance Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) held their second meeting of 2010 on Thursday April 22 at Gaston Memorial Hospital in Gaston County. Based on what was presented at the meeting, the RSP has definitely moved from planning to action and results!

The Allied Health RSP meeting brought together over 50 partners from across the region that included employers, community college, K-12 education, private schools, and economic development. New representatives from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences and Carolinas College of Health Sciences also participated in the meeting.

David Hollars, Workforce Intermediary for the Allied Health RSP, presented an overview of the work for the RSP for the past year titled The Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership in Action – From Planning to Results. David highlighted the RSP’s key projects, including specific outcome measures and timelines for each. You may view the presentation by clicking here.

The group also received an update from RSP committee chairs on the progress of their events and goals. The Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership is very active and is planning many Allied Health Career Connection events as well as working with employers on the career pathways program for employees to move up in the workplace. Carolinas Medical Center – Union in Monroe has agreed to the pilot for this project. Michelle Ellis with CMC-Union discussed the Open House held on April 19th at their facility to meet with targeted employees to explain the benefits of the Career Pathways project.

The Career Connections are local events that will introduce the public to Allied Health. Employers and educators will be on hand to explain the field and all the wonderful career opportunities available. There will be workshops that will go more in depth as to what certain positions require and how one can obtain the education and experience needed to find their ideal career in Allied Health. Career Connections events were held in April in Cleveland County (April 8 at Cleveland CC in Shelby), Union County (April 16 at South Piedmont CC in Monroe), Anson County (April 23 at South Piedmont CC in Wadesboro), and for Catawba/Alexander/Iredell and Burke and Caldwell counties (April 27 at the Hickory Metro Convention Center). You can find out more information on those successful allied health events in this newsletter!

The Competitive Workforce Alliance formed the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership, which is a consortium comprised of employers, economic, education, workforce development and economic development professionals and training providers that will meet regularly to create strategies and programs that will continually assess, prioritize, and respond to the workforce training needs of employers in the allied health industry. Its mission is “to assure that the region has the allied health resources necessary to meet the healthcare needs of its citizens”.

Are you interested in joining the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership? If you want to get involved or just find out more information about all the great things the Partnership is doing please visit the Competitive Workforce Alliance website at www.agreatworkforce.com or contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by email at eclamp@centralina.org.

Getting Students Career and College Ready

Career-Ready Commission Releases Report on How to Prepare Students for their Future

State Superintendent June Atkinson, along with members of her Career-Ready Commission, presented the commission's final report, A Crisis of Relevance: How N.C. Must Innovate to Graduate All Students Career- and College-Ready, to members of the State Board of Education at its meeting in Raleigh this month.

Governor Bev Perdue charged Atkinson with forming the commission in May 2009 to study career-related issues in public education. The final report is the result of experience, ideas, collaboration and input from more than 40 representatives from the General Assembly, K-12 public schools, community colleges and universities, business and nonprofit education organizations, and government agencies.

"This report does not contain the silver bullet solution to the problems facing public schools today, but it is a collection of proven education reforms and innovative strategies that can help us better prepare all students for a future in the 21st century," said Atkinson. "I am confident that this document will be useful to state and local business and education leaders as we continue to work together to move public education forward in North Carolina."

David Hollars, Centralina Workforce Development Board Executive Director and other commission members participated in five meetings in which they worked to identify the most pressing challenges the state faces in producing high school graduates who are career- and college-ready. They examined the research, studied existing programs and resources, and heard from local, state, national and international education experts. When this initial work was complete, members agreed that students are facing a "Crisis of Relevance" and came up with a multi-pronged plan to address this crisis.

"Too many young people are failing to see that what they are learning in our K-12 public schools is relevant to their plans for future training, education and careers," Hollars said. "This crisis is contributing significantly to other problems such as high dropout rates, low student achievement, student apathy and high school graduates who are unprepared for higher education and the workplace."

In its final report, the Commission has proposed the following six guiding policy goals and an additional number of corresponding and specific action recommendations:

• Make Career and Technical Education (CTE) a valuable part of all students' overall high school experience and use it to help them prepare for postsecondary education and/or training and career success.

• Drive innovation and creativity in the state's high schools by developing students' skills in entrepreneurialism to accelerate their career interests.

• Transform the culture of education in North Carolina so every school produces lifelong learners who are both academically-skilled and career-ready.

• Expand the assistance available to high school students to enable them to make both wise academic and career choices and achieve their goals for the future.

• Connect business leaders with educators in a unified effort to help students understand the relevance of their education to their future goals and prepare them with the knowledge, talent and skills valued and needed in today's workplace.

• Build on existing governance structures to bring state, regional and local leaders in education, workforce and economic development together to support and grow North Carolina's economy.

Commission members believe that these goals and corresponding recommendations (included in the full report) will help leaders ensure that every student who graduates high school in North Carolina is well-prepared for his or her next step, be it additional education, job training or a career. Atkinson has also shared the final report with Gov. Bev Perdue, Lt. Governor Walter Dalton and his JOBS Commission and plans to share it with members of the General Assembly next month.

To read the full report, click here. For questions about the document or the State Superintendent's Career-Ready Commission, please call the NCDPI Communications and Information division at (919) 807-3450.

For more information on the report or on the Commission, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.

Centralina Partners Connect Job Seekers and Businesses

Iredell County JobLink Career Center and Mitchell Community College held a Career Fair

Armed with folders filled with resumes, Mitchell Community College students and other local residents wandered around the booths at the Iredell County Career Fair on Wednesday April 21, trying to make connections with prospective employers.

The Career Fair was sponsored by Mitchell Community College and the Iredell County JobLink Career Center who also had representatives on hand to answer attendee’s questions and offer advice on training and possible careers.

Companies and recruiters said the gym of the Continuing Education building on Front Street was initially packed with applicants when the event started.

"We got our hands full when we first got here," said UPS Human Resources Representative Karen Martin.

Joy Campbell came in seeking a new job, and said the career fair offered her a few new options. She said there were a few temporary agencies that have positions that might fit.

Mitchell Community College Cooperative Education Director Randall Willie said the 33 vendors attended, including UPS, several law enforcement agencies and a couple of schools.

He said he thought the turnout of employers was great considering the economy, and several were accepting resumes for different job openings.

"I think the participants have been happy," Willie said.

Greensboro Police Department recruiter Harold Scott said the city's police academy for this upcoming year is already full, but the agency has plans to hire officers at the beginning of 2011.

"A lot of people are turning to law enforcement that haven't thought about it before," he said.

Engineered Sintered Components Human Resources receptionist Marci Morrison was taking applications for a few engineering positions and some summer internships.

"We've had a very good response," she said.

Martin said most of the candidates coming by were still in school and looking for something on a part-time basis. She said she was going to hire workers for the company's twilight shift in the next couple of weeks.

One of the people who came by the UPS booth was Statesville resident Tejuen Calhoun Sr., who recently moved to Statesville from Washington D.C. Calhoun found out about the career fair from a poster at the Iredell County JobLink Career Center’s office.

"I'm looking for a new opportunity," he said.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with both Mitchell Community College and the Iredell County JobLink Career Center. The Board is happy to see its partners working together to help connect job seekers and businesses. For more information on this fair or on the Board please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by email at eclamp@centralina.org.

Employment Statistics
 Updated Monthly on this E-Newsletter

For more information on employment, click here

Centralina WDB - Connecting Job Seekers to Future Careers

South Piedmont Community College and Competitive Workforce Alliance Host Career Connection Events in Union and Anson Counties

On Friday April 16, 2010 South Piedmont Community College and the Competitive Workforce Alliance – Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership sponsored a Career Connections fair at the college’s Old Charlotte Highway campus in Monroe. Centralina WDB Program Associate Natasha Pender participated in this event. One the main focuses of the Career Connections event was Allied Health careers. A similar Career Connections event was held for Anson County on Friday April 23 at South Piedmont Community College’s Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro. Centralina WDB Accountability Specialist Michelle McNulty participated in the Anson County event and was even quoted in the Anson Record.

The Union County event drew over 500 individuals from the community and over 50 employers or job help services to the fair. Attendees were given a chance to meet with employers to find out about careers and the education required for those careers.

“It’s defiantly a job fair that we support,” said Michelle Ellis, recruitment specialist for Carolinas Medical Center – Union and a member of the Competitive Workforce Alliance Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership Steering Committee.

CMC-Union has about 20 open positions, she said, and hopes to recruit nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, a security officer and medical lab technician.

Terri Cato, Vocational Rehabilitation Services-Monroe and a Union County JobLink Management Team member, has more and more clients with advanced degrees. Vocational Rehabilitation Services works with people who have physical or mental disabilities, problems with substance abuse or other limitations to employment. The state agency offers employers incentives – including tax credits and on-the-job training – to give its clients a shot.

The Competitive Workforce Alliance Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership was on hand and co-sponsored the event to educate the public on the opportunities of growth in the Allied Health field. Representatives were on hand to explain the education required for certain jobs, as well as a financial aid officer on site to answer any questions. This is just one of the Career Connections that the Partnership is sponsoring in the region. Additional Allied Health Career Connections events are being planned for this fall in Stanly and Gaston counties as well as in York/Lancaster/Chester counties in South Carolina.

So what are employers looking for? CMC-Union stresses people skills and health care training.

Greiner Bio-One wants its employees to be math and science savvy.

“Our business has been very good,” Rick McInnis, Greiner Bio-One vice president of finance, said. “We’ve seen more increased production.”

What does it take? What kind of training does the job require? How much will it pay? Should you go back to school?

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics offers an Occupational Outlook Handbook to answer those questions. It also provides job search tips and a breakdown of the local job market. For more information, visit www.bls.gov/oco.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with South Piedmont Community College and plays an active role in the Competitive Workforce Alliance. The Board is thrilled to see partners working with employers and job seekers to create a competitive educated workforce. For more information about the Career Connections event, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org.

BioPharma Manufacturing Labor Market Analysis Shows Opportunity

New Analysis Shows Growing BioPharma Cluster in the Region

Energy isn’t the only sector in our region with untapped potential. The North Carolina BioPharma Manufacturing Labor Market Analysis — Greater Charlotte that was released on Wednesday April 14, 2010 at the Charlotte Regional Bio Update meeting held at the Charlotte Regional Partnership office presents a realistic assessment of our regional labor force in that sector. The Centralina Workforce Development Board was one of the sponsors of the meeting.

The study, commissioned by the N.C. Biotechnology, the Charlotte Regional Partnership, Piedmont Triad Partnership and Eastern Region, demonstrated that the Charlotte region has a solid existing workforce and robust pipeline of future workers that would be needed to staff a biological pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.

Andy Shapiro of Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co., who conducted the study, found that there would be 30 qualified applicants for each position, significantly higher than the standard 15 to 1 ratio that companies look for.

However, in addition to a strong employee base, Andy said that companies often look for clusters of similar companies with employees that not only have the skills, but the direct experience that they are looking for. Our region’s greatest strength, he said, is in medical device manufacturing.

"Labor is critical," he told the crowd gathered at the regional partnership this week. "It always has been, and it will continue to be so."

It's a relevant study for local economic development leaders, who have been scrambling to capitalize on emerging sectors such as health care to make up for massive recession-related losses in manufacturing, construction and financial services.

The medical device market is already picking up across the region, illustrated most recently by the news that Linet, a hospital-bed manufacturer based in the Czech Republic, has opened its U.S. headquarters in Charlotte.

To study the local labor market, Shapiro created a fictional pharmaceutical manufacturer that would need 400 employees, 75 percent experienced workers and 25 percent newly minted graduates or trainees.

Consultants interviewed existing companies, work force development groups, trade associations and others and studied data - from federal reports to local school enrollment figures.

Shapiro's report found that the multi-county Charlotte area would have more than 9,100 experienced workers and 1,100 emerging workers.

The hiring ratio would be 30 to 1, meaning 30 qualified applicants for each position. "That's a pretty good number," Shapiro said, adding that the standard is 15 to 1.

One challenge, though, is the fact that there are few pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in the area and therefore fewer workers with direct experience, he said.

Shapiro said some clients want to be pioneers in an area to avoid their competition. Others would opt for a more mature market.

The labor market analysis, underwritten by the N.C. Biotechnology Center, Duke Energy and Parsons, is a valuable tool that our business development team can use to market our region to biopharma manufacturing companies. As Andy noted, labor issues account for more than half of the top 10 factors in companies’ location decisions. And we have the talent.

The Charlotte Regional Partnership plans to use the report as a marketing tool, executive vice president Kenny McDonald said.

"Talent is such a big piece of what we're dealing with when we're talking about companies coming here," McDonald said. "This is going to have a shelf life."

The Charlotte Regional Bio Update was sponsored by the Charlotte Regional Partnership, Duke Energy, the Centralina Workforce Development Board, the NC Biotechnology Center, the NC Community College System and Parsons.

For more information on the event or on the study, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-Mail at dhollars@centralina.org.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is in YOUR Community!

During the month of April 2010, 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 Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership, local Career Connections events, and the NC Youth Summit, here are some the activities of the Board members and WDB staff for April:

Centralina Workforce Development Board meeting - held on Tuesday April 13 at the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kannapolis. Kenny McDonald, Executive Vice-President with the Charlotte Regional Partnership, presented timely information regarding how the Partnership markets the region to potential businesses. He outlined the region’s value proposition – market plus talent plus a very high asset to cost ratio – as the key to business recruitment. Kenny also presented the target sectors that have been identified for job growth in the area. This informative presentation can be accessed via the Board’s website.

The Board discussed and agreed on plans for the annual strategic planning retreat to be held on Friday May 21 at South Piedmont Community College in Monroe. The retreat will focus on driving innovation to build capacity for the JobLink system and our role as Board members. Board members received an update on the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership, received an updated calendar dates for the upcoming Allied Health Career Connection events, discussed potential Incumbent Worker grant applicants, heard about the Board’s participation in recent national conferences, received the latest local labor market information, and updates on other key workforce issues and recent presentations in the region.

Union County JobReady Partnership meeting – held on Thursday April 15 at Goodrich Cooperation in Monroe. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars attended this meeting.

Charlotte USA – Energy Capital Initiative – Workforce Taskforce meeting – held on Friday April 16 at CPCC Harris Campus. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting along with representatives from Duke Energy, Central Piedmont CC, and York Tech.

Mooresville Graded Schools Career Bridge meeting – held on Monday April 16 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.

Greater Statesville Economic Development Corporation – Committee of 100 meeting - held on Wednesday April 29 at the Civic Center in Statesville. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting which featured Ronnie Bryant, President and CEO of the Charlotte Regional Partnership, as the guest speaker.

PY 2009 Annual Workforce Investment Act (WIA) monitoring of Adult and Youth services – conducted by Patricia White, Centralina WDB Operations Manager with Union County Community Action, Inc. – Adult and Youth services contractor for Union County on April 20 and 21 in Monroe. Centralina WDB Accountability Specialist Michelle McNulty assisted.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) – WorkforcePlus training sessions - held on Monday April 26 (Adult/Dislocated Worker service providers) and Friday April 30 (Youth service providers) at Mitchell Community College in Mooresville. Patricia White, Centralina WDB Operations Manager conducted the training. Centralina WDB Accountability Specialist Michelle McNulty participated in the training sessions.

Gaston College – Community-Based Job Training Grant planning meeting – held on Tuesday April 13 at Gaston College in Dallas. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars along with Angela Karchmer (Gaston WDB) participated in this meeting to develop grant proposal for expanding the college’s outreach for allied health programs in Lincoln and Gaston counties. WDB staff also assist South Piedmont Community College and Stanly Community College in the preparation of their Community-Based Job Training Grant applications.

NC Workforce Development Training Center – Board meeting – held on Tuesday April 6 at the Training Center in Raleigh. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting focused on the training needs of workforce professionals in North Carolina.

NC Workforce Development Boards Association meeting – held on Thursday April 16 at the NCETA Conference in Winston-Salem. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars attended this meeting.

Disney Institute – Leadership and Customer Service Training – held on Thursday April 29 at South Piedmont CC in Monroe. Centralina WDB staff members Vail Carter, Emily Clamp, Natasha Pender, and Michelle McNulty participated. The training was co-sponsored by the college and the Centralina WDB.

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

• Met with QEMS in Monroe (Union County) to discuss training priorities – April 7
  
• Participated in Rapid Response Meeting with management of Pass & Seymour in Concord (Cabarrus County) – April 8
  
• Performed midpoint contract monitoring of Incumbent Workforce Development Contract with Safety Solutions in Mooresville (Iredell County) – April 9
  
• Met with Debra Dixon of Charlotte/Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board to discuss opening new SHARE Network site in Charlotte – April 9
  
• Met with management of Davis Regional Medical Center in Statesville (Iredell County) to discuss Incumbent Workforce Development Program – April 12
  
• Performed end of contract monitoring at Calico Industries in Denver, North Carolina (Lincoln County) – April 16
  
• Delivered SHARE Network materials to the Matthews United Methodist Church Job Support Group – April 21
  
• Participated in an interview by Goodwill Industries on economic development in the region – April 27
  
• On behalf of 8 local employers, prepared and submitted Incumbent Worker Grant application packages to NC Department of Commerce for review and potential funding approval.

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.

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Dress for Success = Successful Future

Vocational Rehabilitation Hosted a “Dress for Success” Event

Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Stanly County hosted a “Dress for Success” event recently to help teach proper dress attire for job interviews.

“Times have changed, and many people who may have worked at a job for a long time are now facing unemployment. When they begin looking for a job and preparing for an interview, they may not be completely prepared because things are so different from the last time they had to do an interview,” said Pinkie Morgan Furr, business relations representative for Vocational Rehabilitation Services, who was instrumental in planning the event.

Maurices Store Manager Kay Jones and Assistant Manager Hailey Barnes, as well as Belk’s Store Manager Richard McDonald, spoke to members of the “Dress for Success” class about the importance of first impressions and what is considered appropriate to wear and how to act for a job interview.

“I’ve been in the retail business for about 20 years, and I’ve been in various size markets. One thing I’ve learned is that it doesn’t matter the size of the market as far as a potential employee’s success at obtaining a job is concerned,” McDonald said.

“First impressions are key, and a lot of that first impression is how you are dressed. This also applies to when you go to the business to pick up an application.”

Jones and McDonald both provided tips about what constitutes a good job interview outfit. McDonald explained that for men, a white dress shirt, tie, khaki or dress trousers and dress shoes are appropriate for most interviews, but for more professional businesses, a suit jacket may also be proper.

Jones added that for women, a pair of dress pants or a moderate length skirt with a blouse and dress shoes are appropriate for most interviews, but a suit would also be fitting.

“We want to be able to focus on you, the candidate, rather than on what you’re wearing. So while it is important to not show up for an interview looking like a slob, it is equally as important that you try not to make a fashion statement,” McDonald said.

Barnes and McDonald also spoke about what traits each of their businesses look for in potential employees. Along with making a good first impression, both stores look for people who are confident, on time, have a lot of energy, are a goal achiever, possess leadership qualities and have a willingness to learn.

“While your appearance is important to the interview, it certainly is not the only factor. You must remember that it is also what’s beneath that matters, and being confident in yourself is one of the first things we look for,” McDonald said.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with Vocational Rehabilitation and the Stanly County JobLink Career Center and is proud to see a partner reaching out the job seekers in the region. A well educated job seeker means a well educated workforce. For more information on the “Dress for Success” event please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by email at eclamp@centralina.org.

Stanly Community College Receives Top Honor

College Named to Higher Education Community Service Honor Role

Stanly Community College has been named to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

On campuses across the country, thousands of students joined their faculty to develop innovative programs and projects to meet local needs using the skills gained in their classrooms. The Honor Roll includes six colleges, including Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, and universities that are recognized as Presidential Awardees, with an additional 115 named to the Distinction List and 621 schools named as Honor Roll members.

Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors including the scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses.

“Thanks to staff member Melody Braswell who leads our service learning effort on campus and to all the students who got involved,” said Stanly CC President Dr. Michael Taylor. “At Stanly CC we believe that getting students involved in community service is an important part of their overall educational experience and will serve them and the community, well into the future.”

Service learning students have volunteered for local organizations such as the Stanly County Health Department, the Community Care Clinic, Homes of Hope, Monarch, the Senior Center and others.

“Each semester, I am impressed and humbled by the eagerness our students have to serve their communities. It means so much to me to see these students make such a local impact,” said Melody Braswell, coordinator of service learning and cooperative education.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with Stanly Community College and congratulates them on receiving this prestigious honor. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org.

Best of the Best – Right Here in the Centralina WDB Region

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Gaston College Receive Recognition

The NC Community College System has honored the small-business centers at two colleges in the Centralina WDB region for their economic-development, job-retention and job-creation achievements.

The centers are at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Gaston College.

“The N.C. Community Colleges’ small-business center network is one of the largest, state-funded small-business assistance networks in the nation,” says Dr. Scott Ralls, president of N.C. Community College System. “The contribution they make to communities and individuals across the state is vital to North Carolina’s economic recovery.”

The small-business center award recognizes accomplishments during the 2008-09 school year.

During that year, the state’s 58 community colleges provided entrepreneurship training to 66,500 individuals. And they provided one-on-one counseling to an additional 5,780 individuals. The centers helped start 536 businesses, create 1,826 jobs and retain 1,521 jobs, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College says.

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has campuses in Rowan and Cabarrus counties. It offers fully accredited associate degrees in more than 40 fields.

Gaston College enrolls 7,000 students each term in curriculum programs and averages about 16,000 students annually in its continuing-education programs. The school has campuses in Dallas, Lincolnton and Belmont.

Congratulations to Barbara Hall, Director of the Small Business Center at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Brad Rivers, Director of the Small Business Center at Gaston College for this award. The Centralina WDB is proud to work with Barbara and Brad and their centers in assistance small businesses – new or existing – to grow and prosper in the region.

Inspiring Employees Near and Far

Rowan County Department of Social Services Receives Great Honor

Amelia Godfrey has been in the military for 22 years and is now serving her first deployment with her U.S. Army Reserve unit, the 108th Command, in Kuwait. When Godfrey isn't serving her country she is serving as a Child Protective Services social worker at the Rowan County Department of Social Services, where she has been employed for 13 years.

In 2009, Godfrey nominated her staff and the agency to receive an award from the U.S. Department of Defense. In March 2010, the Rowan County Department of Social Services was one of 50 North Carolina employers — out of 2,500 nominated — to receive the North Carolina Above and Beyond Award. The recognition is bestowed on employers who have provided support to service members who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

"I wanted to nominate Rowan County DSS because since I joined them back in 1997, they have supported my military career and the last-minute ventures that have come up with this deployment," Godfrey said via e-mail.

She submitted a letter nominating the agency, while she was undergoing military training as a warrant officer. "DSS is like my extended family and they have really been supportive during my deployment. They know this has been hard for me being away from my family, my children, Jeremy, Taylor and Aundrea," Godfrey said.

The Child Protective Services staff sent Godfrey care packages containing Christmas cards, snacks, books, candy and other items.

"It's the least we could do for someone who is defending our freedom every day," said friend and co-worker DeVon Haywood.

In Kuwait, Godfrey works in the Casualty Assistance Center, which begins the process of notifying deceased soldiers' families. The job keeps her busy and can be depressing, she said, but her "great team is what keeps me going." "I work with a great group of soldiers," Godfrey said.

And her colleagues were humbled by the award, and the fact that Godfrey nominated them.

"We didn't know it meant so much to her to recommend us," Sharpe said.

"We were thinking of her." Sharpe said.

"We didn't know she was thinking of us," Baskins said.

Brewer, who also gave the county credit for hiring a contract employee to fill in for Godfrey while she is deployed, said the award is an affirmation of something he's always felt: "The agency operates as a family."

And, award or not, the members of this family say they look forward to having Godfrey back in the fold. She is expected to return home in July.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a strong partner with the Rowan County Department of Social Services and congratulates them on this great award! The Board wishes Ms. Godfrey a safe and fast trip home. For more information on this award or on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org.

NC Research Campus Update

Find Out What’s the Latest with this World Renowned Biotech Development

Dole names director for research lab at N.C. Research Campus
Dole Nutrition Research Laboratory at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis has named a director of nutrition research. Nick Gillitt will manage all research responsibilities at the site, reporting directly to Dole Food Co. Inc. Chairman David Murdock.

Murdock, a California financier, founded the 350-acre life-sciences campus. He has invested more than $400 million in the project since announcing it in 2005.

In his new post, Gillitt will create a nutrition profile of all the compounds in the major products of California-based Dole (NYSE:DOL). He also will provide scientific support to Dole divisions regarding product development and lab personnel. Gillitt previously was senior nutrition research and labeling manager at the Dole Nutrition Institute in California.

Kannapolis Couple Gives $2 Million to Research Campus
Ben and Ruby Jones endowed $2 million to the David H. Murdock Research Institute and N.C. State University to research neurological diseases and to establish a professorship.

Jones was the wastewater treatment plant supervisor for Cannon Mills from 1956 to 1985.

The announcement at the Core Research Laboratory this month brought the Joneses and Dole Food Company David Murdock together. Ken Argo, the Joneses financial adviser, said they wanted to be involved with the work that is going on at the research campus.

"He (Ben Jones) told me that he was sorry he didn't get in on the research campus at the beginning and he wanted to change that," Argo said. "I told him we could work through that."

Last July, Argo called Lynne Scott Safrit, Murdock's point person in Kannapolis, to talk about the gift. "Once we found out they (the DHMRI) would accept the gift, we went to work," Argo said.

About $1 million will go toward research on ALS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

The other million will endow the Ben and Ruby Distinguished Professorship at the N.C. State Plants for Human Health Institute in Kannapolis. That researcher will work with scientists at the Murdock Research Institute on research of those diseases.

That UNC system will match that amount with $500,000 to invest $1.5 million into the endowed professorship.

Another Company Joins the NC Research Campus
Monsanto is coming to Kannapolis. The big agriculture company has signed a long-term lease to establish a research lab focused on the taste and nutritional composition of fruits and vegetables.

The company will have about a dozen scientists working at the Core Research Laboratory at the North Carolina Research Campus by June. At an announcement at the Core Lab on this month, Robb Fraley, chief technology officer for Monsanto, said the partnership with the campus would be an "opportunity to bring a broad partnership" in research with the universities.

Monsanto manufactures the weed killer Roundup and genetically-modified seeds. Its lab will have about 9,000 square feet on the third floor of the Core Lab.

Fraley said Monsanto was attracted to the campus because of the advanced genetics equipment in the Core Lab and the partnerships with the eight North Carolina universities.

"We loved the idea of coming to Kannapolis," Fraley said. "It's a unique setting and a tremendous opportunity."

Castle & Cooke, the research campus developer, has been working for about two years to develop the partnership.

Monsanto's research and development activities include boosting the nutritional output of tomatoes, peppers and soybeans through plant breeding and genetic modification.

Please stay tuned to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for more developments on these exciting stories. For more information on what is going on at the NC Research Campus please visit the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s website at www.centralinaworks.com.

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A New World State of Mind North Carolina Youth Summit is a Great Success! Rap artist Jay-Z took the Hip Hop world by storm in 2009 when he dropped the single “Empire State of Mind” - everyone under age 25 probably knows all, or at least most of the lyrics to the song that is arguably the new anthem of New York; Youth workers from across the state of North Carolina were hopeful that youth attending the 2010 NC Youth Summit would walk away with a renewed state of mind that would empower them to make an impact on the world as strongly as Jay-Z had. During the weekend of April 23rd and 24th, youth from all over the state convened at the Embassy Suites in Greensboro for a Summit themed “A New World State of Mind”. Centralina WDB Program Associate Natasha Pender who attended the 2-day summit said that “committee members were hopeful that the youth would associate the Summit theme with the song and really concentrate on making an impact in their own communities as powerful as the rap legend had.” She said, “it’s about empowering our young people to really reach their true potential”. A total of twenty (20) youth from the Centralina WDB region participated in the summit along with youth service provider staff members. The Summit featured keynote speaker Titus Broom, a Charlottean whose motto claims that “life and death swings on the hinges of the CHOICES that we make.” Titus has been confined to a wheelchair for the past 14 years as a result of an altercation evolving from his involvement in illegal activity. He spoke to the youth about how choices, good and bad affect their destiny. Featured workshops at the Summit were: Power of YOU and Speak Up and Speak Out. The Power of You workshop focused on the images that youth display and how those images are perceived by others; Speak Up and Speak Out focused on advocacy. Workshop presenters were highly energetic and lots of fun. Genola Carrington, Racquel Williams, Kevin Holmes, and Donovan Lewis each presented to the youth over the weekend. Their “keep it real” delivery and content touched many of the youth, moving several of them to tears. The fun and entertainment piece must not be forgotten! Guilford Technical Community College’s KAOTIC Step Team performed during Friday night’s banquet and received a standing ovation. Youth Summit “Idol” was a chance for youth to display their talents singing and rapping. Two Centralina youth were finalists in the competition – April Youngblood and Cedric Herndon (I-CARE). There were 2 winners, Cedric “aka Luther Vandross” Herndon claimed the top prize. On the final day, local areas were given an opportunity to “rep” where they are from. Participants had 2-3 minutes to represent their local areas, show stopper April Youngblood represented the Centralina WDB Youth Council with a rap that she wrote that “shouted out” each of the 7 counties in the region. Her performance was well received. The North Carolina Youth Summit is an annual event made possible by contributions from local areas across the state. Centralina Workforce Development Board has been a proud sponsor of the event for the past four years. For more information on the NC Youth Summit or on the Centralina Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org. Two Centralina youth were finalists in the Youth Summit “Idol” competition – April Youngblood and Cedric Herndon (I-CARE). READ SIMILAR NEWS Top Ranked in Preparing Students for Success Mooresville Graded School District Ranked 3rd in Success for Career Education Among 115 school districts across North Carolina, the Mooresville Graded School District (MGSD) has scored third in the state regarding its Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Offered at N.F. Woods Technology and Arts Center, the CTE program saw a 95.18% cohort graduation rate for the 2008-09 school year. MGSD Spokesperson Dreisa Sherrill explained that the cohort rate is determined by the number of high school students who “take four courses in a CTE concentration area” and complete at least one second level course in that focus. This graduation achievement coupled with the high passage rate for students taking the CTE post-assessments earned the MGSD its high state ranking. The MGSD’s proficiency rate was 82.76%. The district ranked seventh among “small” state districts in its affinity group, including Asheboro City Schools, Hickory City Schools, and county districts such as Alexander, Macon, Watauga and Yadkin. Superintendent of the Mooresville Graded School District, Mark Edwards said “We are very proud of the Career/Technical Education program at N.F. Woods and the great work that is being done to ready our students for college and career fields in the 21st century.” The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council would like to congratulate the Mooresville Graded School District on this great achievement! The Board and Youth Council are proud to have such a top ranking program in the region. For more information about the ranking or on the Centralina Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org. READ SIMILAR NEWS Students Team Up With Businesses Mitchell Community College Students Help Local Businesses Improve Their Services Mitchell Community College students in Keith Miller's retailing class are getting a first-hand look at some of the issues facing downtown merchants. Students are participating in different group projects that pair them up with businesses such as GG's art frames gifts, Doodlebug's Children's Consignments, Needle and Thread Quilting Store, Statesville Jewelry and Loan and the campus bookstore. Troutman resident and marketing major Kevin Barnett and his project partner, Casey Mason, met with GG's owner Gloria Hager on Wednesday to go over their project and look around her business. "The project is to evaluate the business and come up with ideas to draw people in," Barnett said. It's the first time Miller's class has ventured out like this. Miller said he can teach students from the textbook and tell them about his own experiences, but projects like this will give them real-life experiences. "Kids have got to learn somewhere, and this will be a good project for them," said Needle and Thread owner Teresa Kyles. "They are addressing real issues. I'll take all of the free advice I can get." "Some of the businesses have talked to the students about parking, foot traffic and how to increase the visibility of their storefronts," Miller said. Barnett said they will spend part of their time looking at the demographics of Statesville and the downtown area to try and draw in more people. Students review how their assigned store ties into the neighboring businesses, Miller said. Next door to GG's, at Doodlebugs, owner Kim Eroh is working on two different projects with the class. In addition to working on a team project, she let two groups come in to work on her window displays. "They did a really good job," she said. "They really took it and went with it. I think I would love to get more involved with that." "It's a wonderful idea to involve us with the community," Mason said. The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud to see one of their partners reaching out to students and connecting them with local businesses. Bringing the future workforce together with the current workforce will only lead to success for the region. For more information on this program or on the Centralina Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org. READ SIMILAR NEWS

• Centralina Workforce Development Board meeting
Tuesday June 8, 2010 – 4:30 PM
Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce – Kannapolis

• Centralina Workforce Development Board Strategic Planning Retreat
Friday May 21, 2010 – 9:00 AM
South Piedmont Community College - Monroe

• Centralina WDB Youth Council Meeting
Thursday June 3, 2010 – 10:00 AM
Boys & Girls Club – Concord

• Cabarrus Economic Development – Annual Stakeholders Summit
“Sustainable Cabarrus”
Friday May 14, 2010 – 11:30 AM
Cabarrus Arena and Events Center – Concord
Contact Samantha Moose at 704-260-8108 or smoose@cabarrus.biz

• NC JobLink Coordinators Forum
Wednesday June 2, 2010
Flat Rock, NC

Don’t Miss - Workforce Development Professionals Month 2010

An exciting regional opportunity to experience a professional development seminar and network with your peers across the region and state! Events are being held regionally to reach as many professionals as possible.

All events are held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., include a speaker, luncheon, and are free to workforce development professionals, but registration is required!

May 12, 2010
Isothermal Community College Foundation
Highway 74A, 286 ICC Loop Road
Spindale, NC

May 20, 2010
Lenoir Community College Waller Auditorium
231 Hwy 58 South
Kinston, NC 28502-0188

May 25, 2010
Deep River Event Center
606 Millwood School Road
Greensboro, NC 27409

• Identifying Career Options
Tuesday May 4, 2010 – 10:00 AM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• It’s Not Who You Know, It’s Who You Meet
Tuesday May 4, 2010 – 6:00 PM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Letter Writing for the Jobseeker
Monday May 10, 2010 – 6:30 PM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Interview Techniques
Tuesday May 11, 2010 – 10:00 AM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Stand Out from the Competition
Tuesday May 11, 2010 – 6:00 PM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Identifying Career Options
Wednesday May 12, 2010 – 2:00 PM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Resume Clinic
Thursday May 13, 2010 – 10:00 AM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Looking for Work at 50+
Thursday May 13, 2010 – 2:00 PM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Resume Clinic
Thursday May 20, 2010 – 10:00 AM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• It’s Not Who You Know, It’s Who You Meet
Thursday May 20, 2010 – 2:00 PM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Job vs. Staying Unemployed
Monday May 24, 2010 – 6:30 PM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Layoff Survival Tips
Tuesday May 25, 2010 – 10:00 AM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Looking for Work with a Criminal Record
Tuesday May 25, 2010 – 2:00 PM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Identifying Career Options
Tuesday May 25, 2010 – 6:00 PM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Online Job Hunting
Wednesday May 26, 2010 – 2:00 PM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Top 5 Employer Needs
Thursday May 27, 2010 – 10:00 AM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• Resume Clinic
Thursday May 27, 2010 – 2:00 PM
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College R3 Center – 200 West Avenue – Kannapolis
Contact: 704.216.7201 or r3center@rowancabarrus.edu

• In Survival Mode: Serving the “Hard to Serve”
New workshop with Dr. Steve Parese - Service Strategies for Former Offenders & Others with Significant Barriers
Tuesday May 11, 2010 and Monday July 7, 2010
Register Online: www.ncwia.com

• Messages Without Words: How to Use Non-Verbal Communication to Connect with Others Effective E-mailing: How to Communicate Powerfully by E-mail
New workshops with Dr. Susanne Gaddis, The Communications Doctor
Thursday May 27, 2010 - Raleigh
Thursday June 3, 2010 - Marion
Register Online: www.ncwia.com

• Career Development Facilitator
Thursday June 17 and Friday June 18, 2010 - accelerated class (approx. 6 weeks)
Wednesday September 1 and Thursday September 2, 2010 – (approx. 3-4 months)
Register Online: www.ncwia.com

The North Carolina Workforce Development Training Center Training offers many great training sessions for every workforce development professional. The Center can even do online trainings for you and your colleagues. Some of the great training sessions include: Keeping Your Cool (When Others are HOT!), Assessment: The Foundation of Case Management, Delivering Excellent Customer Service, and Youth Services: A Variety of Topics. These are just some of the great training sessions they can put together for your team. So give them a call and see what they can do for you! Contact Robin Broome at (919) 306-1819 or visit their website for more information at www.ncwdtc.com.

Visit our website at www.centralinaworks.com to learn more about the Centralina WDB
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