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The Centralina Workforce Development Board has proudly rechartered the Rowan County JobLink Career Center with a Level III status. The center recently completed the new rechartering guidelines set forth by the North Carolina Commission on Workforce Development.

The North Carolina Commission on Workforce Development in partnership with the Centralina Workforce Development Board has established a framework to assess quality standards, performance accountability and continuous improvement in the region’s JobLink Career Centers, which are one-stop employment and training centers. The process of chartering the state’s JobLink Career Centers is the tool for which each center maintains accreditation. The chartering process is based on seven principles: Leadership, Information and Analysis, Strategic Planning, Human Resource Utilization, Process Management, Customer Satisfaction, and Results. There are three levels for which each Center in North Carolina can obtain chartering. The Statewide process requires more than a year of preparation and extensive documentation. The Centralina Workforce Development Board provides local oversight and guidance for the centers in the region.

The Rowan County JobLink Career Center received the JobLink Level III award, which is the state’s highest credential. An on-site visit to center in Salisbury was conducted in August by NC Department of Commerce-Division of Workforce Development staff members Linda Strong and Tamme Reese along with Centralina WDB staff member Natasha Pender.

Centralina Workforce Development Board Executive Director David Hollars said “Workforce Development is trying to hit a constantly moving target, and the professionals at our local JobLink Career Centers like the Rowan center have always met the challenges placed before them with a commitment to excellence for individuals and businesses using their services. The Level III recognition by the NC Department of Commerce validates that the Centralina Workforce Development Board and the JobLink Career Center system are doing the right things to ensure that we have the competitive workforce for our global economy.”

Debbie Davis, the manager of the Rowan County JobLink Career Center, will be on hand to accept the Center’s award at a special JobLink Recognition ceremony at the North Carolina Workforce Development Partnership Conference in Greensboro on October 15. NC Department of Commerce-Division of Workforce Development Executive Director Roger J. Shackleford will present a plaque recognizing the honor.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is extremely proud of all of the JobLink Career Centers in the region. The Board appreciates the hard work and community outreach by JobLink staff members and partners. A prepared workforce is job one for the Centralina Workforce Development Board and the JobLink Career Centers in the region. For more information on the awards, please visit the Centralina Workforce Development Board website at www.centralinaworks.com or you can contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.

Centralina Workforce Development Board Welcomes Four New Members, Honors Six Outgoing Members

On Tuesday August 10, 2010, the Centralina Workforce Development Board welcomed five (5) new members to the Board.

Mr. Milton Chicas is the Training and Hiring Manger for Wayne Brothers, Inc. in Cabarrus County. He is representing the private sector. He may be contacted at miltonc@waynebros.com.

Ms. Lisa Conger is the Career & Technical Education Director for Cabarrus County Schools in Concord. She is representing the public school systems. She may be contacted at lisa.conger@cabarrus.k12.nc.us. Lisa is also a member of the Governor’s Commission on Workforce Development.

Ms. Stacy Burns is a Training Generalist for PGT Industries in Rowan County. She is representing the private sector. She may be contacted at sburns@pgtindustries.com.

Mr. Mike Beaver is President of Beaver Brothers, Inc. in Rowan County. He is representing the private sector. He may be contacted at bbhvac@aol.com.

Mr. Reinaldo Panico Peres is Executive Vice-President with Sabo USA, Inc. in Lincolnton. He is representing the private sector and Lincoln County. He may be contacted at panico@sabousa.com.

As these new members were welcomed, the Board also honored six members who are completing their terms.

Ms. Pam Cordts served on the Board from February 2004 to June 2010 and received the Board’s cherished “Leader, Visionary, Friend” award. Pam was also chair of the Board’s Business Performance Committee. She was with W.A. Brown & Sons in Salisbury and represented Rowan County.

Ms. Pat Woods served on the Board from September 2007 to June 2010 and also received the Board’s “Leader, Visionary, Friend” award. Ms. Woods was with the Kannapolis City Schools and represented Cabarrus County. Pat also served on the Board’s Youth Council.

Dr. Lawrence Elliott served on the Board from July 2004 to June 2010 and received a plaque honoring his service. Dr. Elliott is with READ, Inc. and represented Anson County. Dr. Elliott was also a member of the Board’s Youth Council.

Mr. Phil Geissinger served on the Board from July 2008 to June 2010 and received a plaque honoring his service. He is with Cabarrus College of Health Sciences and represented Cabarrus County. Phil served on the Board’s Workforce Readiness Committee and has agreed to stay on this committee as an ad-hoc member.

Ms. Shelly McCraw served on the Board from July 2006 to June 2010 and received a plaque honoring her service. Ms. McCraw is with Carolina Bank & Trust and represented Lincoln County.

Ms. Heidi Whitesell served on the Board from September 2008 to June 2010 and received a plaque honoring her service. She is with the Community Bank of Rowan and represented Rowan County. Hedi served on the Board’s Business Performance Committee.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is excited to have new members that bring innovative ideas and are willing to commit to helping develop a highly skilled productive workforce for the region and wishes previous members great success in their future endeavors. The Board appreciates the hard work and efforts that all Board members contribute. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.
Former Centralina Workforce Development Board member Phil Geissinger receives an award to honor his service on the Board.
 
New Board members Stacy Burns and Milton Chicas pose for a quick picture with Centralina Workforce Development Board Chair Bob VanGorden and Executive Director David Hollars.

Union County Company Reaches Out to Literacy Council

Omnova Solutions Foundation Awards Grant to Literacy Council of Union County

The Omnova Solutions Foundation recently awarded $1,000 to the Literacy Council of Union County to boost English language skills.

Literacy Council of Union County’s executive director Linda Moyer hopes to add two more computers with the grant funding.

“The computers in the lab have been quite old,” she said. “We really need to upgrade.” Thirty-five to forty students – most adults – pass through the Literacy Council of Union County’s 10-station computer lab each week to practice reading and writing.

Omnova human resources generalist Ann Yow said the company is big on education and giving back to the communities they are based in.

With help from the Literacy Council, “more adults are hirable because they can read and write,” Yow said.

Without the computer lab, Moyer said, her agency “would probably have fewer student hours. What that translates to is students having slower progress.”

Students use basic software to learn the alphabet, practice phonics, record their voices and build computer literacy. They can also sharpen their typing skills or use the internet to do research and read the news. Students must have 10 hours in the lab before council matches them with tutors.

Omnova, located in Monroe, North Carolina, is a technology-based design center and
products manufacturing facility. The company provides emulsion polymers, specialty
chemicals and decorative and functional surfaces for commercial and residential needs.

Omnova is also a former recipient of Incumbent Worker training funds from the
Centralina Workforce Development Board.

The grant allowed the company, in
conjunction with South Piedmont Community College to provide training and certification to
existing employees, including supervisors, lead persons, and engineers. Employees were
trained in Lean Manufacturing, Set-Up Reduction, Color Printing, Train the Trainer and
Expert OJT, Leadership Training, and the Manufacturing Certification Program.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with Literacy Council of Union County and is happy to see them working with local employers to reach out to better the community.

Linda Moyer is an active member on the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s Workforce Readiness Committee. Omnova Solutions was one of the first companies in the Centralina WDB region to receive the Incumbent Worker Grant to train and improve their current workforce. It is wonderful to see a company giving back to the community. For more information on this grant, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org.

Taking the National Spotlight!

Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce is Nationally Recognized

The Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce has been chosen by Constant Contact to be featured in their booth at the upcoming Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Conference in Wisconsin.

“The Chamber has been recognized for its outstanding execution of event marketing campaigns and will be showcased at Constant Contact’s booth throughout the year,” Sarah Barone, marketing coordinator with Constant Contact said.

“The level of excellence that you have achieved with our event marketing is something that we push all of our chambers to strive for and as such, you will be a wonderful addition to our booth.”

Lisa Wallace, Chamber office manager added, “The Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber has been using Constant Contact for three years and the event marketing arm of Constant Contact has been well-received by our members.”

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!

In the Top 20 for Recovery of Jobs!

New Study Ranks North Carolina Number 19 for Job Creation

North Carolina ranks 19th in the nation for the number of jobs that have been created since the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and South Carolina ranks 23rd, according to a report by Onvia.

The Seattle business-consulting firm reports that stimulus-funded projects created 9,617 North Carolina jobs and 8,152 in South Carolina.

“While job creation since the Recovery Act’s passage has been slow to take hold on Main Street, job creation in the remainder of 2010 is expected to turn around with lagging states seeing an increase of 50 to 100 percent or more in private-sector job creation,” says Michael Balsam, Onvia chief strategy officer.

The firm predicts North Carolina will lead the nation in growth of stimulus-created jobs for the remainder of the year with a 121.5% increase. South Carolina is expected to see a 13.2% gain for the remainder of 2010.

North Carolina also ranked highly — No. 2 in the nation — for per capita stimulus spending at $960.51. South Carolina ranked No. 33 at $167.66.

To date, one-third of the Recovery Act’s $275 billion for projects to create private-sector jobs has been awarded. In the 18 months since stimulus funds began flowing, Onvia estimates 714,589 jobs have been created nationwide.

That figure will grow by 27 percent by year end, it says.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!

60 New Jobs for Union County and the Region

Tyson Foods Announces Plans to Expand Facility in Monroe

A $9 million investment will lead to the creation of 60 new jobs in Monroe. Tyson Foods, Inc., plans to invest $9 million in new equipment and building improvements at its chicken “tray pack” facility, a Monroe Economic Development statement said.

The Monroe City Council approved an economic development incentive grant that would not exceed $171,120.

The equipment mentioned in the investment is in the processing area, Assistant Director Ron Mahle of Monroe Economic Development said.

“They process 260,000 birds in a 16-hour period every day,” he said. “Basically they run two processing shifts and one cleanup shift.”

Tyson will create the 60 new jobs within a year, Executive Director Chris Plate of Monroe Economic Development said.

The new equipment and building improvements will help with the efficiency of the plant but are not planned to increase production. Additional spin-off jobs could be created from the investment, he said.

Spin-off jobs are opportunities created from companies that contract with Tyson foods such as farmers and hatchery workers. It is not certain how many of these jobs could be created, he said.

“The more competitive this plant is, the less likely it is to go away or be consolidated,” he said. “It gives everyone better job security.”

The 60 new jobs will increase the plant’s total employment to more than 1,500. An estimated economic benefit of $78 million is generated annually by the company’s Monroe poultry complex, the statement said.

“One job will have an impact and that is good but 60 jobs is better,” Mayor Bobby Kilgore said.

He is happy about the new jobs the investment will create and believes it will have a big impact on employment and economic growth in the city, he said.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!

Salisbury Company Announces Expansion

Norandal USA Plans to Create 25 Jobs and $7 Million Investment

Norandal Aluminum Holding Corporation confirmed this month that it will expand its Norandal USA plant in Salisbury (Rowan County) after receiving local and state incentives.

The company plans to create 25 jobs and invest $7 million in Rowan County. The project was made possible in part by a $108,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

Salisbury City Council agreed to award Norandal a grant of about 75 percent of tax revenue generated by the project over five years. Rowan County commissioners did the same. The city will provide an annual incentive grant of about $28,320. The county’s annual grant will total $28,560.

“This is great news for Rowan County,” NC Governor Bev Perdue said in a prepared statement. “Companies know they have a workforce they can count on and a highly motivated team of economic development partners, as well as a state that will support their growth and success.”

Norandal USA, a subsidiary of Noranda, includes the company’s rolling-mills business. Rolling mills, such as the one in Salisbury, take aluminum and roll it into metal sheets and foil for commercial use. The grant-supported expansion will allow the company to update machinery and increase capacity.

Salaries will vary by job function, but the annual average wage for the new jobs will be $43,097, not including benefits. The Rowan County average annual wage is $35,048. The company currently employs 163 in Salisbury.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!

Centralina Workforce Development Board Has Training Money to Help Your Business!

Incumbent Worker Funds Now Available

Want a great way to help upgrade the skills of your current workforce and prepare for the future? What to help avoid a layoff at your company? The Centralina Workforce Development Board can help. The Board is currently accepting applications from local businesses for Incumbent Workforce Development training.

The Incumbent Workforce Development training is designed to upgrade employees' skills and increase companies' competitiveness in the global marketplace.

The first application round for funding will close on Wednesday September 22, with two other rounds to follow. The maximum amount of funds available per business is $25,000. Since the grants are competitive, local businesses are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

The Centralina WDB looks forward to working with new local businesses to submit applications, as well as, past companies who want to resubmit from previous periods. For more information and to review the NEW Incumbent Worker guidelines and application, please visit the Centralina WDB website or contact Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Coordinator at (704) 348-2710.

Preparing in advance for your grant submission is always best. Vail is available for training sessions for any possible applicant. Just recently on Thursday August 19, 2010 he held an information session regarding the Incumbent Workforce Development program that was heavily attended by businesses throughout the region. Don’t miss out on your opportunity for success!

Please contact Vail prior to submitting your application to the Board. Vail is available to assist your company in completing the application and getting it to the Board for review prior to September 22, 2010. So don’t delay, submit your application today.

Iredell County Company Saves “Green”

Amesbury Group-Textile Products Saves Energy and Money

Amesbury Group-Textile Products, in Statesville (Iredell County), went gangbusters on its latest energy-saving project and replaced all 406 light fixtures in the plant and warehouse.

Amesbury-Textile, which makes woven products for window stripping, will finish the $76,000 upgrade today. The upgrade, which was designed by Southpoint Solutions out of Charlotte, will reduce kilowatt hours on the electric bill by 60 percent, said Amesbury Group-Textile Products Manager Rich Gustin.

“If we are going to do this, we are going gangbusters,” Gustin said.

The completion of Amesbury Group-Textile Products’ latest energy-saving project will save the manufacturer around $30,000 annually. It also reduced the types of light bulbs used in the plant warehouse from 17 to four.

Gustin said Southpoint was able to design a great package for them. Gustin said Amesbury, which has nine plants around the country, breaks “green” projects into two categories, energy consumption and solid waste.

Gustin said the facility started by cutting back the amount of waste it sent to the Iredell County Solid Waste facility.

In 2001, the facility sent 222,000 pounds of solid waste to the landfill. Gustin said the truck was sometimes at the plant twice a day.

By recycling plastic, cardboard, paper, aluminum, wood and steel, Amesbury-Textile was able to cut back to 50,000 pounds, and the truck came by to collect the trash only twice that year. The project to reduce the amount of compressed air used in the facility was completed in 2009.

“We are constantly looking at other opportunities,” said Amesbury-Textile Green Coordinator Joe Henry. “It’s an achievement.”

Other efforts include motion sensors in offices, turning down the temperature on the hot water heater and fixing leaks in compressed air lines.

“We even took the light bulbs out of the vending machines,” said Gustin. “You can’t just look at the big things. It’s the little things that add up.”

Amesbury Group-Textile Products is a former recipient of Incumbent Worker grant funding from the Centralina Workforce Development Board. Amesbury Group Textile utilized Incumbent Worker funds to offer Leadership Training, Facilitator Training, Train the Trainer Program, Team Communication Skills through the Achieving Communication Effectiveness Course, Statistical Process Control Training and Yellow Belt Training. The training helped elevate the manufacturing employees’ overall skill level in various areas and enhanced Amesbury’s ability to compete with overseas competition and enabled them to retain their business in Statesville.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!

Iredell County Positioned Well for Biotech Development

Economic Developers Get Advice on Reaching Biotech Companies

Iredell County’s resources and location could help attract a number of biotechnology companies to the area, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center Greater Charlotte Office Director told area business professionals.

“Biotechnology is all around,” Marjorie Benbow told the Greater Statesville Development Corporation Committee of 100 at its quarterly meeting on Wednesday July 28, 2010. “It is poised to deal with every societal ill from global hunger to environmental changes.”

Centralina Workforce Development Board Business Services Coordinator Vail Carter participated in this meeting held at the Statesville Civic Center.

Iredell County has a number of biotechnology companies including Zimmer Orthopedic Surgical Products, Carolina Beer and Beverage, Kewaunee Scientific Corporation and Daveste Vineyards.

One of the biggest things Iredell has going for it is the large number of cattle and hens in the county, Benbow said. “Iredell dominates in agriculture,” Benbow said.

Iredell is ranked No. 1 in the state in terms of dairy and cattle and number four in eggs.

In 2008, biotechnology accounted for a $4.5 billion economic impact and 53,000 jobs statewide, Benbow said. “It’s not just jobs,” she said. “It is high paying jobs.”

Iredell and the Charlotte area have a lot of assets biotechnology companies value, Benbow said.

The county is one of the largest agricultural areas in the state, and it is close to the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

The Charlotte region has the 13th most educated workforce in the country, she said.

The Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Lake Norman and the county’s proximity to Charlotte and Winston-Salem are also good assets, she said.

“I think you guys are positioned the best,” Benbow said. “You are cradled between Winston-Salem and Charlotte. Y’all can cradle and take advantage of both those assets.”
Benbow said Iredell County economic development officials may want to attract and retain biotech companies or they can grow supporting industries.

One of the distinct advantages that Iredell could boast is the Barium Springs Technical Park, which already has certified sites prepared.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!

New Business Operation Coming Soon to Indian Trail

Henry Schein Opening New Location in Union County

Henry Schein Inc. will create a Carolinas operations center in a 10,700-square-foot section of an office-warehouse building in Indian Trail (Union County).

The health-care products and services company is leasing the space in a new building owned by Alton Properties of Indian Trail. It will contain a showroom, technical support area and operations center for Schein’s dental, veterinary and medical equipment sales.

The 40,000-square-foot building at 4330 Matthews-Indian Trail Road has 24-foot interior height and is constructed from tilt-up concrete panels.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!

State of Our Real Estate

RowanWorks Economic Development Names Top 10 Sites for the County

Rowan County has 97 sites and buildings available for economic development, and interest in them is growing.

“Activity has been extremely high,” said Robert Van Geons, director of RowanWorks Economic Development.

In an effort to land new industry and help local companies win expansions, RowanWorks has submitted proposals for 37 development projects since December 2009, Van Geons said.

Last year at this time, Van Geons said he’d submitted between 10 and 15 proposals.

Van Geons named the top 10 sites in the county during a RowanWorks presentation this month dubbed the “State of Our Real Estate,” a market analysis of available sites and buildings.

Due to the recession, the county has more high-quality sites available now than at any other time since his arrival in 1994, Van Geons said. The variety of sizes and price points make Rowan more appealing to companies searching for land or an existing building, he said.

Sites also are priced competitively. “Most of our building and property owners have reasonable expectations,” he said.

Of the 97 available sites, the county has 85 properties and 44 buildings to show prospective buyers. The same nine sites have made up 80 percent of RowanWorks’ proposals since December.

Rowan County compares well with surrounding counties in number and quality of properties and buildings available, but Rowan lacks any buildings for sale with ceilings 24 feet or higher, desirable for companies using indoor cranes.
Rowan does have two buildings for lease with 24-foot ceilings. “Protect and preserve your industrial properties,” said Randy Broome, a consultant for Duke Energy who spoke at the RowanWorks presentation. Cities and counties can’t build and maintain infrastructure using residential taxes alone, Broome said.

“We will continue to do everything possible to fill every vacant building and sell each acre that is suitable for nonresidential development,” Van Geons said.

  • The RowanWorks top 10 list of available sites includes:
  • Alcoa Aluminum Wheels facility, 906 Airport Road, $7.79 million.
  • Gamewell building, 630 Industrial Ave., for lease from $1.50 to $2.00 per square foot.
  • Maxon Furniture building, 520 Grace Church Road, $2.75 million.
  • Service Supply building, 1030 Corporate Center Drive, for lease $3.25-$3.50 per square foot.
  • W.A. Brown building, 311 Long Meadow Drive, $2.6 million.
  • Performance Technology Park, Peach Orchard Road, subdivides into 5-to-18 acre sites at $55,000 per acre.
  • Platinum site, Interstate 85 at Peeler Road, starts at $20,000 per acre.
  • Speedway Business Park, Speedway Boulevard, $30,000 per acre.
  • Summit Corporate Center, Lot 1, Summit Park Drive, $39,700 per acre.
  • Trevey site, Interstate 85 at Long Ferry Road, $42,500 per acre.

For more information on these sites or on the presentation that Robert Van Geons gave, please contact RowanWorks Economic Development at (704) 637-5526 or visit their website at www.rowanedc.com.

Iredell County Company Looking to a Positive Future

Carolina Beer & Beverage Purchased

A Dallas private-equity firm has bought a majority stake in Carolina Beer & Beverage of Mooresville for an undisclosed price.

The brewery was founded in 1997 by Mike Smith and John Stritch. The company makes the Carolina Blonde and Cottonwood Ale brands and mixes a variety of beverages at the Mazeppa Road facility.

The buyer, SunTx Capital Partners, says it plans to keep Mike Smith as chief executive.

Smith says the deal will allow Carolina Beer to “take advantage of the numerous opportunities to grow.” Ned Fleming, managing partner of SunTx Capital, says the agreement will allow Carolina Beer to “capture increased market share and recognize substantial upside.”

The company has grown to 200,000 square feet at its headquarters. Last year, it added a 500,000-square-foot distribution center in Mooresville Business Park, about 30 miles north of Charlotte.

The company has about 200 employees and an annual capacity of more than 35 million cases.
SunTx Capital has about $600 million of assets under management. Its capital comes from institutional investors that include university endowments and corporate and public pension funds.

Carolina Beer & Beverage was one of many to receive Incumbent Worker Grant funding through the Centralina Workforce Development Board to help train their current workforce. Carolina Beer and Beverage contracted with Mitchell Community College to provide skills training to thirty-two (32) of its manufacturing employees. The training was divided into four training components covering topics in Lean Manufacturing and Leadership. Because of the training and the hard work of their employees, Carolina Beer & Beverage has been able to grow and become a even more desirable company.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!

$12.8 Million Investment in Rowan County

Boral Composites, Inc. Announces Expansion and Job Growth

With the help of a $50,000 state grant, Boral Composites Inc., a sister company to Boral Bricks in East Spencer, plans to create 25 jobs and invest $12.8 million in Rowan County.

“This is a double win for North Carolina,” said Governor Bev Perdue in a press release from her office. “Our top business climate and skilled workforce continue to attract jobs and investments from international companies, and our focus on growing green companies is paying off.”

The One North Carolina Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. These grants also require local matches.

“We are excited to build the first Boral Composites production facility in East Spencer,” said Brian Below, general manager of Boral Composites, in the press release. “We selected this site over other potential locations in the Southeast because of the support from local, county and state government agencies, our longstanding ties to the community through our Boral Bricks business, the availability of a skilled and able workforce, and desirable geographic location to efficiently serve our customers.”

The new Boral Composites facility will be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, minimizing energy use and conserving other resources. The new building product, a synthetic composite, will contain over 75 percent recycled and rapidly renewable materials and will be used for home exteriors.

In June, the Rowan County Board of Commissioners approved an incentive grant of 70 percent of the value of anticipated property tax revenue — about $53,000 — each year for five years. To receive the grant the company must meet minimum wage and investment requirements.

RowanWorks Director Robert Van Geons told commissioners this would bring $1 million of new revenue to the county over the next 10 years.

He also said that in addition to the company’s projected 25 jobs and $12.8 million investment, possible future growth could generate another $4 million to $6 million and 15 jobs.

Salaries will vary by job function, but the annual average wage for the new jobs will be $35,700, not including benefits. The Rowan County average annual wage is $35,048.

“Boral’s decision is terrific news during a tough economy,” said N.C. Rep. Lorene Coates, of Salisbury, in the press release. She added that North Carolina’s investment in education, training and transportation creates a business-friendly climate.

Boral Composites is an independent, wholly owned subsidiary of Boral USA, which owns large building products manufacturers and construction materials suppliers. Boral USA has approximately 2,500 employees at 162 sites in North America, including two other North Carolina sites in Charlotte and Lake Norman.

Both Boral Composites and Boral USA have their headquarters in Roswell, Georgia.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

Take the Centralina WDB Employer Survey to Let Us Know How We Can Help Your Business Grow

Each month, the Centralina Workforce Development Board holds a drawing from Business Surveys that area businesses have completed and posted on our website. The Centralina WDB uses this as a tool to reach out to businesses throughout the region, much like your own to find out how we can assist them in this economy.

We encourage all businesses, large and small to participate in this wonderful survey and to give us some feedback on what is going on for your business and our community! By completing the survey not only do you have a chance to voice your opinion but you will also be entered into a monthly drawing for free goodies from the Centralina Workforce Development Board!

If you haven’t completed the survey, you can do so now by logging onto our website. It only takes a couple of minutes and by completing the survey, it will guarantee your entry into our next drawing. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Employer Survey and the business services available through the Board and our local JobLink Career Centers, please contact Vail Carter at (704) 348-2710 or by e-mail at vcarter@centralina.org.

 

Employment Statistics
 Updated Monthly on this E-Newsletter

July 2010
(Source: NC Employment Security Commission)
County
Unemployment Rate
Persons Employed
Anson
12.6%
8,743
Cabarrus
10.4%
74,906
Iredell
11.4%
69,780
Lincoln
12.1%
32,597
Rowan
11.8%
60,419
Stanly
11.4%
26,831
Union
9.2%
84,519
Centralina WDB Region
10.8%
357,795
State of NC
9.9%
4,092,068

For more information on employment, click here

ANOTHER Outstanding Employer Recognized in the Centralina WDB Region

Preformed Line Products Wins the 2010 Governor’s Award for Excellence

Preformed Line Products located in Albemarle (Stanly County) has been selected to receive the 2010 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Workforce Development as an “Outstanding Employer.” This award is an annual award sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the NC Commission on Workforce Development.

The company was nominated for the award by Stanly Community College and the Centralina Workforce Development Board. This is the second year in a row that a Stanly County employer has been nominated by Stanly CC and the Centralina WDB and has won the Governor’s Award. Storm Technologies in Albemarle was the 2009 award winner.

Preformed Line Products is a worldwide designer, manufacturer and supplier of high quality cable anchoring and control hardware and systems, fiber optic and copper splice closures and high-speed cross-connect devices. PLP is based out of Cleveland, Ohio and the Stanly County facility is at 1700 Woodhurst Lane in Albemarle.
Criteria for the award includes: (1) The extent to which the business has demonstrated a continuing commitment to the workforce development system through donation of employee time and services, exemplary hiring practices and the encouragement of business involvement in workforce development efforts; (2) The extent to which the business has demonstrated involvement/use of public education and training programs; and (3) The extent to which the business has promoted positive community/public relations for workforce development programs and supported/encouraged individuals in need of workforce development.

Preformed Line Products has encouraged its employees to become involved with a wide variety of programs in Stanly County.

Plant Manager John Ziebarth serves on the Stanly County Managers Association. The company and its employees support various special interest groups in Stanly County including the American Red Cross, Hospice, United Way, Boy and Girl Scouts of America, and community athletics by conducting fund raisers or volunteering their time.

The company also participates in and financially supports events held by the Stanly County Managers Association, an organization whose fundraisers go to sponsor two scholarships at Stanly Community College. Preformed Line Products is a member of the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce and supports their “Buy Local” campaign.

Preformed Line Products has supported two initiatives offered by Stanly Community College, Stanly County Chamber of Commerce, Stanly County Schools, and the Centralina WDB - Career Academy for Educators (CAFÉ) and the Creating Success seminar. These events allowed businesses and companies to share what jobs skills, education level, and training would be needed to obtain jobs for those seeking employment. The company has also utilized Stanly Community College to provide training for their employees through the college’s Customized Training Program as well as seminars, curriculum and continuing education courses. Classes were offered both on-site at Preformed Line Products and at the college.

In December 2009, Preformed Line Products achieved “Carolina Star” status due to a three year intensive safety project by the company and its employees.

Companies in North Carolina that achieve this very safety award, serve as models for effective safety and health programs in their industries. Moreover, STAR worksites have demonstrated workers’ compensation cost reductions, reduced employee turnover, quality improvements, and other benefits which are helping to convince skeptics that productivity, quality, profitability, and safety are complementary outcomes.

Preformed Line Products takes conservation seriously by aggressively reducing the use of materials that are hazardous to the environment, instituting a recycling program, selling unusable scrap for recycling, and has plans to power certain areas of their facility with solar panels.

Stanly Community College, in conjunction with Centralina Workforce Development Board, nominated Preformed Line Products and congratulates the business as a recipient of the 2010 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Workforce Development.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with both Stanly Community College and Preformed Line Products The Board is extremely happy to have another Governor’s Award winner in its region! For three years in a row individuals and organizations have been recognized by this wonderful award. The Board is proud that the rest of the State gets to see the reason why the Centralina WDB region is the best around! For more information on this award, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.

Preformed Line Products facility located in Stanly County.

Connecting Energy Careers and You!

Centralina Workforce Development Board Partners with Employers and Colleges for Energy Careers for a Bright Future Event

On Tuesday August 3, 2010, Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), Centralina Workforce Development Board and other partners came together to offer the “Energy Careers for a Bright Future” Event. This event was held at the Harris Campus of Central Piedmont Community College from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Over 270 people participated in the well received event.

There were over 35 speakers and moderators that covered panel discussions and seminars about energy careers and all the opportunities out there for that career field, some of the individuals were from CPCC, the Charlotte Regional Partnership, Duke Energy, Centralina Workforce Development Board, and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, just to name a few.

The event also featured over 40 exhibitors from companies and organizations including Stanly Community College, Strategic Power Systems and the Mobile Launch Pad. This gave companies and organizations time to meet with individuals and network about careers in energy.

This ground breaking event for the region received excellent feedback from the participants. Many praised the variety, quality of presenters and presentations, loved the networking opportunities and “depth of information shared, breadth of subject matter, openness of panels”; they did request more time for the event and more seats!
Due to the excellent reception this energy event received another event is being planned for the Spring of 2011 that will be more focused on those serving middle and high school students. The planning committee is currently working very hard on this event already.

Sponsors for this event included Centralina Workforce Development Board, Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte Regional Partnership, Aerotek, Areva, Celgard, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board, Daetwyler Clean Energy, Duke Energy, Evonik Energy Services, Intelagrid, Lee Hecht Harrison, Piedmont Natural Gas, ProNet, RCS Corporation, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Siemens, Shaw, UNCC College of Engineering, URS, and Westinghouse.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to partner with all these great companies and organizations to connect people to careers in energy. The Board believes that energy is one of our region’s clusters and that to help it grow and expand we must educate our workforce about the opportunities in this exciting career field. Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s newsletter for up to date information on the Spring 2011 Energy Event, as well as other exciting energy events throughout the region. For more information on this event, 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 August 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 Energy Careers for a Bright Future event, the Greater Statesville Committee of 100, and the Youth Council activities detailed in this e-newsletter, here are some the activities of the Board members and WDB staff for August.

Centralina Workforce Development Board meeting - held on Tuesday August 10 at the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kannapolis. Robin Richards, a consultant with DCA, Inc. presented a great overview of the Lifelong Learning & Literacy Summit recently held in Lumberton for the All-American Gateway Region. Robin also reviewed the TriadWorks Career Path and Literacy Resource Guide. He added that he would be glad to work the Centralina WDB to do similar projects in our region. The Board welcomed 5 new members – Milton Chicas - Wayne Brothers, Inc. – (Cabarrus County), Lisa Conger - Cabarrus County Schools – (Cabarrus County), Reinaldo Panico Peres – Sabo USA, Inc. (Lincoln County),Stacy Burns - PGT Industries – (Rowan County), and Mike Beaver - Beaver Brothers, Inc. – Rowan County). The Board honored outgoing Board members Pat Woods (Kannapolis City Schools – Cabarrus County) and Pam Cordts (Rowan County) with the “Leader, Visionary, Friend” award. Also honored were Phil Geissinger (Cabarrus County), Shelly McCraw – Carolina Bank & Trust (Lincoln County), Heidi Whitesell – Community Bank of Rowan (Rowan County), and Dr. Lawrence Elliott – READ, Inc. (Anson County). The Board recognized all the local nominees for the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Workforce Development.

Additionally, the Board members received committee reports, a review of the recently held Mid-Year Economic Outlook Summit (July 29) and the Energy Careers for a Bright Future event (August 3) – both co-sponsored by the Board; received information on the Centralina Youth Services Summit planned for September 24; and reviewed the latest labor market information for the region as well as the JobLink Quarterly Report. Information on regional initiatives and updates on other key workforce issues were
also provided.

Centralina WDB JobLink Career Center Managers meeting – held on Tuesday August 10 at the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kannapolis. Managers and WDB staff heard a very informative presentation from Vicky Ray from BusinessWise on the use of this service in the local centers. The group discussed rechartering for centers being delayed until 2011, the upcoming Level III on-site visit from NC Department of Commerce at the Rowan JobLink Career Center, an evaluation of recently held customer service training for staff, and use of JobLink enhancement funds for improvements at the centers.

Centralina WDB Incumbent Workforce Development Program information session – held on Thursday August 19 at Centralina WDB offices. Centralina WDB Business Services Coordinator Vail Carter conducted this information session designed to provide prospective companies and training providers an overview of the requirements, guidelines, and timelines for submission of the grant applications for the first round for this fiscal year. Grant applications are due to the Centralina WDB on September 22.

Charlotte Regional Partnership – Existing Industry Committee meeting – held on Friday August 20 at the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kannapolis. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars was asked to participate in this quarterly meeting of existing industry staff from the local economic development offices.

Rowan County JobLink Career Center – Level III Rechartering Site Visit – held on Thursday August 12 in Salisbury. Centralina WDB Program Associate Natasha Pender assisted JobLink manager Debbie Davis in preparing the documentation materials required for the site visit conducted by NC Department of Commerce - Division of Workforce Development staff members Linda Strong and Tamme Reese.

Mooresville-South Iredell Workforce Education Committee meeting – held on Friday August 13 at the Holiday Inn Express in Mooresville. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting along with Iredell County JobLink Career Center managers Ronne Grantham and Jack Stollery to discuss plans for a “Hire Local” campaign in partnership with the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce.

Monroe Economic Development Commission meeting - held on Thursday August 26 in Monroe. Centralina WDB Business Services Coordinator Vail Carter attended this meeting and provided participants with valuable local labor market information as well as updates on activities with the Union County JobLink Career Center and its partners.

Union County Community Action – Summer celebration event – held on Wednesday August 11 in Monroe. Centralina WDB Program Associate Natasha Pender participated in this event which featured motivation speaker Kwain Bryant. UCCA partnered with Union County Department of Social Services and their Work First unit for this great event which allowed WIA summer youth participants and DSS Work First clients to celebrate their successes.

Competitive Workforce Alliance Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership – State Evaluation/ Site Visit – held on Wednesday August 4 at Presbyterian/Novant offices in Charlotte. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars, project consultants from The McLynn Group, and RSP Steering Committee members met with NC Department of Commerce - Division of Workforce Development staff members Brandon Comeaux and Laura Spivey for an evaluation of the work of the RSP for the first year of implementation under grant funding from Commerce.

Charlotte Regional Workforce Development Partnership meeting – held on Monday August 18 at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Salisbury. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director participated in this meeting. On behalf of the Competitive Workforce Alliance, David Hollars presented an update on the Alliance’s workforce efforts for the past several months, a review of the Energy Careers for a Bright Future event, and the Re-Employment Bridge Institute.

Competitive Workforce Alliance – Meetings with Siemens – held on Thursday August 5 and Tuesday August 17 at Siemens headquarters in Charlotte. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars and WDB staff member Emily Clamp, along with representatives from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg WDB and Steve Maag (Maag Communications) met with Siemens officials to develop a web portal for job seekers to enter information for job openings at Siemens. Company plans to hire 850 new workers over the next several years.

CPCC STEM-S Division (Science Technology Engineering Math-Sustainability) Advisory Committee meeting – held on Tuesday August 31 at CPCC main campus. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting.

Commission on Workforce Development meeting – held on Wednesday August 25 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director and Centralina WDB Chairman Bob VanGorden participated in this meeting.

NC Workforce Development Training Center Board meeting – held on Tuesday August 24 at the Training Center in Raleigh. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in the quarterly meeting of this advisory group for workforce development staff training efforts in North Carolina.

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

  • Conducted final Incumbent Workforce Development Program contract monitoring visit at Opto Alignment Technologies in Indian Trail (Union County) – August 18
     
  • Conducted final Incumbent Workforce Development Program contract monitoring visit at Gaylor Inc. in Mooresville (Iredell County) – August 18
     
  • Visited Stanly Community College – Albemarle campus to tape television program promoting the Incumbent Workforce Development Program and other business services – August 26
     
  • Business Services contact with Rocky River Vineyards in Midland (Cabarrus County) to discuss business services offered – August 26
     
  • Business Services contact with Spectrum Financial Services in Mooresville (Iredell County) to lend technical assistance with Incumbent Workforce Development Program training grant application – August 27
     
  • Business Services follow-up visit to Gaylor Inc. in Mooresville (Iredell County) to closeout Incumbent Worker grant and discuss possible On the Job training assistance – August 27
     
  • Attended BusinessWise users group meeting in Charlotte – August 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.

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Local Resource Shutting Doors in Iredell County

Information and Referral Services Closes Due to Funding Issues

After nearly two decades of serving Iredell County, Information and Referral Services is closing its doors.

The 18-year-old agency, which acts as a switchboard of sorts for people seeking services, and also provides interpreting and translating services, is closing in August due to a deep funding cut from the county.

The lack of requested funding took a 30 percent chunk out of the agency’s $90,000 total operating budget, according to Executive Director Lisa Kraft.

Information and Referral Services, a United Way of Iredell County agency, had received county funding since 1992.

“We know times are tough, but it’s unfortunate how things went down and how it happened,” Kraft said. “For 18 years we’ve been an icon in the community and have received funding every year by the county. So that caught us by surprise.”

The agency employed one full-time employee, Kraft, and one part-time employee. Kraft said the agency typically fielded about 20 phone calls a day from individuals seeking resources. She said the agency fielded 4,000 phone calls in 2009.

Kraft said she attempted to seek out grant opportunities to keep the agency running, but with the county’s decision to not provide funding just weeks before the new fiscal year was set to begin, there wasn’t enough turnaround time to receive any funding and still be able to close the budget gap. The agency did receive funding from the Town of Mooresville, but Kraft said it wasn’t enough to keep the agency afloat and the funding was turned down.

Kraft said she is disheartened because the agency was in the process of establishing it’s 501c3 nonprofit status, as well as launching workshops for the community and offering its translating services to businesses.

After August 31, 2010 the Information and Referral Services phone line will direct callers to the Iredell County Department of Social Services.

For more information about the services provided by the Information and Referral Services, 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

USDA at the NC Research Campus
The first U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists will begin work at the N.C. Research Campus in September. Additionally, Congress is considering a second federal earmark of up to $1 million that would keep the federal agency at the Kannapolis life-sciences hub through fiscal 2011.

The funding represents continued efforts to establish a USDA Human Nutrition Research Center in Kannapolis. The USDA received $1 million this fiscal year to establish a center here.

The center — the first of its kind in the Southeast — is part of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Services, the agency’s in-house research arm.

McCormick to Study the Health Benefit of Spices
The McCormick Science Institute will fund a study this winter at the N.C. Research Campus to determine if culinary spices have health benefits for people.

“We believe that herbs and spices have the potential to be a major force in the world of health and nutrition because they make food taste better and, nutritionally, they may have health benefits,” said Dr. Guy Johnson, executive director.

If spices are shown to improve arterial function or lower inflammation, “people could potentially improve their risk of a whole constellation of chronic diseases by increasing their intake of these spices,” Johnson said.

The McCormick Science Institute is an independent entity funded by the McCormick food company. The institute plans a $125,000 study in the Appalachian State University (ASU) Human Performance Laboratory in Kannapolis.

ASU is one of nine universities and colleges at the Research Campus, where scientists study health, nutrition and agriculture. Dole Food Co. chairman David Murdock opened the campus in 2008.

The study will determine if adding the spices turmeric or red pepper to the diet for four weeks lowers inflammation and oxidative stress.

Local Teachers Hope to Make Science Relevant
Two A. L. Brown High School (Kannapolis, NC) teachers and a researcher from N.C. State University’s Plants for Human Health Institute are hoping to make biotechnology, and science in general, more relevant for local students.

April Baucom and Nikki Wolcott are both science teachers at the high school and spent three months picking raspberries and blackberries, working in the labs and helping with a study on watermelon at the North Carolina Research Campus.

“We talk about (the Research Campus) all the time at school,” Baucom said. “We want to make (science) relevant to our students. How better to make it relevant than to do it ourselves.”

So she and Wolcott spent their summer mornings picking and selecting the berries in Salisbury, then returning to the lab at the campus to do things like weigh, store and freeze the fruit.

Along with Penelope Perkins-Veazie, a researcher with N.C. State University’s Plants for Human Health Institute, Baucom and Wolcott also looked at and tested the firmness and color of the berries.

“(A raspberry) is a high value crop,” Perkins-Veazie said. “Anything we can do to double the shelf life is a huge step forward.”

They also worked with watermelons to examine their lycopene content, which could help with things like controlling high blood pressure, Perkins-Veazie said.

Their work began months ago, when Baucom and Wolcott wanted to be more involved with the campus after hearing about an A. L. Brown student’s internship there.

“We came to see what she was doing and asked if they would hire teachers,” Baucom said.

And while Baucom and Wolcott said some of the things they have studied may not be directly used in their high school curriculum, the connections they have made with the Research Campus will help.

“Hopefully we can get (the researchers here) into our classroom and get my students here to see the lab and equipment,” Baucom said.

Wolcott said it was a way to bridge the gap between the school system and the Research Campus, especially with the new biotechnology wing that will be added next year.

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.

April Baucom, front left, and Nikki Wolcott, front right, both science teachers from A.L. Brown High School, spent much of the summer assisting Dr. Penelope Perkins-Veazie at the N.C. State University Plants for Human Health Institute at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.

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Tell Us More

Every month the Centralina Workforce Development Board works hard trying to bring you the most up to date and innovative stories from around the region. We try to incorporate information that can be beneficial to both businesses and job seekers, as well as promote the accomplishments that are being done throughout the Centralina region. We want to know what you think of the monthly E-Newsletter. We want to know if the articles are informative and if they are relevant to you and your organization. We’d like to know what you’d like to see more of in the newsletter, as well as what you’d like to see less of. We are looking to improve so that we can give back to you the most cutting-edge and informative newsletter out there.

Please send any comments about the monthly E-Newsletter to Emily Clamp at eclamp@centralina.org. If you are new to the newsletter and would like to see our previous issues please visit them at the Centralina WDB website. We thank you in advance for your feedback and your assistance in our rebranding process!

Here’s the Latest Scoop on the Centralina Youth Council

Council Adds Two New Members, Starts Facebook page, and Learns How Youth Spent their Summer!

Another exciting Centralina Workforce Development Board (WDB) Youth Council meeting was held on Thursday August 19, 2010 at the Boys & Girls Club in Concord.

The Youth Council approved two new members: Susan Brooks (Stanly County) and Carlo Battle (Cabarrus County).

Susan Brooks is the Secondary and English as a Second Language (ESL) Director for Stanly County Schools. Mrs. Brooks has worked in education for 30 years through Stanly County Schools and Stanly Community College. Susan is a mother and is very active in her Church, as well as various community organizations.

Carlo Battle is a Senior Quality Assurance Specialist with the Department of Social Services and a resident of Cabarrus County. She is a parent, very concerned with her community and providing opportunities for youth.

Members and guests heard presentations from Centralina WDB Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth service contractors regarding their Summer Youth programs. This gave the youth service providers time to shine in the spotlight, as well as give their youth some time to speak about their experiences this summer. Many youth were excited to share their stories of growth and their positive outlook on their future.

Look for the Youth Council on Facebook (Centralina-Youth Council) where you can view the video that Union County Community Action Agency shared with the group and also visit our website (www.way2work.org) to view the presentation by Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency. For more information on the Centralina Youth Council, or for an invitation to the next meeting, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.

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i3 = Opportunities for Region’s Youth

Iredell-Statesville Schools Awarded $5 Million Innovation Grant

Iredell-Statesville Schools has big bucks coming its way. The school system is one of 49 recipients chosen to receive $5 million from the Investing in Innovation fund, widely known as the i3 grant. The grant will disburse $1 million to the district over a five year period, starting this September.

“It goes to show hard work pays off,” said Todd Holden, executive director of secondary education and career and technical education. “People outside the state are recognizing what we do for kids.”

The grant is part of $650 million set aside from the $10 billion in the American Recovery Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The grant provides funding for institutions that have improved student achievement; innovated practices that have an impact on student achievement or growth; closed achievement gaps; decreased dropout rates; and increased high school graduation or college enrollment and graduation rates.

Iredell-Statesville Schools is among colleges, universities, non-profit organizations and 12 other public-school districts to be selected from 1,700 applications. The system, which had the 8th highest score among recipients, will use the funds to support its Response to Intervention and Professional Learning Communities.

“The i3 really corroborates what many of us have known about our model,” said Superintendent Brady Johnson. “We have an effective model in place, (one) that has helped our school district evolve from a teaching-centered environment to a learning-centered environment.”

The district will be providing professional development opportunities for Instructional Facilitators, Technology Coordinators and Exceptional Children’s Specialists.

The funding will allow for improving the effectiveness of teachers who have students with higher levels of needs.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are strong partners with Iredell-Statesville Schools and is happy to see them receive this funding to continue to reach out and fully prepare our future workforce. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board or on the i3 grant, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.

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Ready for Their Future

South Piedmont Community College Ready for College Program

South Piedmont Community College’s Ready for College program put on an eight-week bridge program for at-risk students that concluded Tuesday July 20, 2010 with a breakfast and presentation of certificates in the Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company Conference Center on the Old Charlotte Highway Campus.

Of the 27 students who started the Summer Learning Community program, 23 finished and earned a certificate signifying that they are “Ready for College.” The students who took part in the program were recent GED graduates and members of IMPACT, SPCC’s minority male mentoring program.

Funded by part of a $95,672 grant from the federal Office of Vocational Adult Education, the pilot program introduced the students to college through two college classes (Southern Culture and Introduction to Computers), core skills classes on things such as goal setting, note taking, financial aid, interviewing?skills, test taking, leadership and others; and time working in the computer lab. The program began May 24 and ran for eight weeks, Monday through Thursday to 9 AM to 2 PM.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are strong partners with South Piedmont Community College and appreciate their involvement with the youth of today, which are our workforce of tomorrow. For more information on this program, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.

Participants in South Piedmont Community College’s 2010 Summer Learning Community program who received Ready for College certificates at the program’s conclusion July 20 were, first row, Leslie Wyckoff, Tammy Brazzill, Hannah Faulk, Ebony Chambers, Jamal Rhodes, Karline Munoz, Doreen Threatt-Miller, Joshua Barrett; second row, Stefany Ward, Isabel Andon, Shawna Hansen, Antavis Barrino, Mark Conrad, Bryan Jackson, Artis Radford and Jonathan Barrino. Also attending but not pictured were Dontri Bulls, James Williams, Matthew Rushing and Michael Meyer.

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3-2-1: We have Lift Off!

Mobile Launch Pad for Critical Careers Touches Down at Stanly Community College

Students, faculty and staff at Stanly Community College (SCC) were able to inspect living organisms, generate electricity and view computer simulation programs, all from inside a mobile laboratory called the Mobile Launch Pad for Critical Careers, which recently visited the college’s main campus in Albemarle.

This 40-foot long, 12-foot high and 11-foot wide educational lab travels across the state highlighting hands-on scientific demonstrations and activities, as well as computer-simulated learning stations, that introduces people to educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math-related industries (STEM).

The N.C. Career Launch Pad is funded by Duke Energy’s Community College Grant Program. The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) wanted to find a way to emphasize biotechnology, while extending its outreach to include healthcare, aerospace, green technologies and advanced manufacturing. The Career Launch Pad provides an innovative way to promote jobs and industries that are so vital to North Carolina.

“The N.C. Career Launch Pad offers our students an exciting opportunity to learn more about careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math in a fun and interactive environment,” said Delia Carriker, coordinator for Career and Counseling Services at Stanly Community College.

“By visiting the Career Launch Pad, our students will learn about career opportunities specific to North Carolina, the educational opportunities in North Carolina community colleges and four-year universities, and how they can be on the cutting-edge in these expanding industries.”

Currently, North Carolina has more than 525 bioscience and related companies in the state, employing about 58,000 people and generates nearly $4.5 billion in annual revenue.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are strong partners with Stanly Community College and is proud to see them reaching out to youth, teachers and the community to educate them on possible career paths. For more facts and information about the N.C. Career Launch Pad and NCCCS BioNetwork initiative, visit their website at www.ncbionetwork.org.
SCC student RJ Barbee looks at the latest microscope technology used heavily in the fields of health, forensics, research and development.
 
SCC student Jessica Yow learns about sustainable energy and the explosive fields of study in North Carolina with biofuels, biomass, solar and wind projects.

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NC Career and Technical Education Needs New Logo and They Want YOU to Help!

Calling all creative minds! Get ready to put your creativity thinking caps on!

The Career and Technical Education section of the NC Department of Public Instruction has put a challenge out to all Career and Technical Education (CTE) students.

Youth enrolled in CTE courses in NC public schools are being asked to design a NEW logo for the upcoming marketing campaign for Career and Technical Education in North Carolina.

This contest is open to any and all youth currently enrolled in CTE courses! So do you think you have the latest, hottest idea? Do you think you have a logo in mind that will get the message out to everyone how cool CTE is? If so, please visit the Centralina WDB Youth Council website at www.way2work.org to check out more information and the rules for participating.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina WDB Youth Council are both strong supporters of Career and Technical Education in North Carolina and encourages all CTE youth in the Centralina WDB region to participate in this great event! For more information on this contest, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.

 
 

What's Happening in the Region?

Comings, Goings, Kudos…

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Dan Peninger, former manager of the Rowan County JobLink Career Center in Salisbury was killed in a tragic accident in August. He was a long time friend of the Centralina Workforce Development Board who led the Rowan JobLink through a difficult period during the Pillowtex crisis. Dan truly touched every person he came into contact with and will be deeply missed.
 
  • Linda Kappauf was named Administrator of the Year by South Piedmont Community College on Monday August 9, 2010. Linda is a member of the JobLink Management Teams in Anson County and Union County, very active in her community, and is one of the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s strongest supporters. Congratulations to Linda for a very well deserved award!
  
  • Skip McCall has won the Thalheimer Award for his work as President of the Statesville Branch of the NAACP. This award is given to NAACP branches and state conferences that are considered to have contributed most to the advancement of the association’s programs during the given year. Skip works with Glen Raven Technical Fabrics in Statesville and is also a member of the Centralina Workforce Development Board. Congratulations Skip!
     
  • Jim Carpenter, Union County Chamber of Commerce President, has announced he will retire at the end of August 2010, leaving the role he held since 1993. We will miss you Jim.
  
  • Susan McCracken, Director of the Lincoln County Department of Social Services has been named Social Services Director of the Year by the North Carolina Social Services Directors Association. Congratulations Susan!
     
  • Dr. Alan Belcher has been named vice president for academic affairs at Pfeiffer University. He held a similar role at the University of Charleston. He began his new position on August 2, 2010.
 
  • Rhonda Hunter has been awarded the one of the FUED (Friends Underwriting Economic Development) scholarships. Rhonda is the Operations Director at Lincoln Economic Development Association.  Samantha Moose with Cabarrus Economic Development was also awarded a FUED scholarship. This award is given to those that are identified as outstanding practitioners and is used to recognize and support their educational and professional development. Way to go Rhonda and Samantha!
 
  • Scott Clontz has been named the manager of the Anson County JobLink Career Center. Scott started his new job on August 23. We look forward to working with Scott.

  • Don Wall has announced his retirement as the Department of Social Services Director for Iredell County. He has worked with the county for 29 years and will step down in September 2010.

  • Deidra Harwood was recently named West Stanly representative for the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce and started her official duties on August 30, 2010. She replaces Libby Phillips, who has served in the position for the past two years and will continue as an active Chamber volunteer.

  • Becky Barnette Wilson has been named as the new Director for United Family Services in Cabarrus County. She started her position on July 1, 2010.

  • Jean Fowler has been named the new Business Services Representative for Vocational Rehabilitation for Cabarrus, Iredell and Rowan counties.

  • Vickie Weant, Concord Downtown Development Corporation Executive Director has announced that she plans to step down from her position by the end of the year.

  • Dale Ellis, Iredell-Statesville Schools Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, has been named Superintendent for Montgomery County Schools. Dale spent the last seven years leading the human resources department of Iredell-Statesville Schools.

  • Family Promise of Cabarrus County will integrate its services and transfer its assets to Cooperative Christian Ministry’s Shelter and Housing Ministry by the end of September.
 
 

• Centralina Workforce Development Board meeting
Tuesday October 12, 2010 – 4:30 PM
Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce – Kannapolis

• Centralina WDB Annual Youth Services Summit
Friday September 24, 2010 – 9:00 AM
South Piedmont Community College – Monroe
Registration: www.extremetour.org or Natasha Pender at 704.348.2725

• Cabarrus Literacy Council Buzz Word Spelling Bee
Thursday September 9, 2010 – 5:30 PM
Old Courthouse Theatre – Concord
Cost: Tickets are $10 each
Registration: 704.786.7323

• Stanly County Chamber of Commerce 8th Annual Business Expo
Wednesday October 6, 2010 – 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
More Information: 704-982-8116

• Health Information Technology Seminar
Saturday October 9, 2010
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College – NCRC Kannapolis
More Information: 704.216.3500

• NC Workforce Development Conference
Wednesday October 13 – Friday October 15, 2010
Sheraton Hotel – Greensboro
Cost: $175
Registration: http://www.ncwia.com/WDTC/Default.aspx

•Leadership and Management Series for NC Workforce Development
September 15 - Workshop 3: Moving from Directing to Delegation: Management Styles
Building to Success
November 10 - Workshop 4: Now That I’m the Boss: Enhancing Leadership Skills
December 8 - Workshop 5: At the Crossroads: Building and Managing Change
Cost: $60 per session or discounted rate of $250 for all 5 sessions
All sessions held at NC Workforce Development Training Center - Raleigh
Register Online: www.ncwia.com

• Career Development Facilitator Programs
September 1 & 2; December 7, 2010
December 9 & 10; April 5, 2011
March 1 & 2; June 13, 2011
June 14 & 15; July 28, 2011 -- Fast Track
September 13 & 14; December 7, 2011
Cost: $525 (covers tuition, manual and interactive DVD)
Register Online: www.ncwia.com

• Delivering Excellent Customer Service
September 13 & 14 - Hendersonville
November 30 & December 1 - Raleigh
Cost: $55
Register Online: www.ncwia.com

• Workin’ It Out
December 13 – 15, 2010 – Raleigh
Cost: $600
Register Online

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.

 

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