Avdel
USA was nominated for the award for their demonstrated contributions
to the economy and improved workforce development opportunities
in the community.Employees from the Stanfield Operations pose for Infastech, Avdel’s 75th Anniversary photo. |
Measuring the Needs – Providing the Solutions
Competitive Workforce Alliance Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership
On Thursday August 11, 2011 the Competitive Workforce Alliance Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) held their quarterly meeting at South Piedmont Community College’s conference center in Monroe.
The Partnership came together to receive updates on recent initiatives and to discuss important healthcare matters. David Hollars, Executive Director of the Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Allied Health RSP Workforce Intermediary, kicked off the meeting with updates from around the region about Allied Health as well as information on what the Partnership has been working on, including the extension of the grant from NC Department of Commerce until December 31, 2011.
Sarah
Langer with the Institute
for Emerging Issues at NC State University spoke on
the growing issues within healthcare. She gave a report on local
and statewide strategies to bolster the healthcare workforce. Sarah
explained that the Institute has been holding community forums across
the state to discuss healthcare issues. The forum for this region
titled “Growing the Charlotte Area Healthcare Workforce”
was held on June 21, 2011, also at South Piedmont CC in Monroe.
Issues identified during the forums were categorized into key areas
(Preparation, Professional Development, Wellness and Prevention,
Recruitment and Retention, Regulations and Clinical Placement Sites,
Marketing, and Funding). The Institute has begun work on creating
an action plan for moving these strategies forward. A list of strategies
identified at the regional forums can be accessed by
clicking here.
The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) brings people together around complex issues in pursuit of a single goal: to ensure North Carolina’s future competitiveness. IEI believes when people work together with a shared will and common vision, progress is smarter, more comprehensive, and enduring. They engage people from all regions, all sectors, and all points of view to address the challenges that threaten North Carolina’s future competitiveness. Their work centers on emerging issues at the convergence points of education, health, the natural and built environments, and our economy.
After a networking lunch the Partnership participated in a brainstorming session on reinventing the Partnership. Members were asked to think of innovative ways to keep it going and moving forward as well as identifying new goals to achieve. Members discussed using technology more to reach out to the industry and stay in constant contact with those within Allied Health. To see the list of questions used during the brainstorming session, please click here.
At
the conclusion of the meeting Wanda Corriher with
Mitchell Community College
updated the Partnership on a project that members from the Western
Area of the state had been working on. She shared a promotional
flyer that the committee had developed specifically for Allied Health
in the western part of the RSP region. The flyer contained helpful
information for the everyday person that might be interested in
Allied Health, as well as information for those already in the field
looking to move up the career ladder. Wanda stated that the committee
would be hosting meetings with local partners to get the word out
on what was available within the region when it comes to Allied
Health.
The Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership was created by the Competitive Workforce Alliance. The 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."
For more information on the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership or the Competitive Workforce Alliance, please visit their website at www.agreatworkforce.com or contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org.
Members of the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership met to discuss emerging issues within the Allied Health career field during their Thursday August 11, 2011 meeting. |
STEM Grows Where WHY? Improves Lives
Cabarrus Rowan NC STEM Community Collaborative
Cabarrus and Rowan counties have taken on the NC STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math - Community Collaborative project and they have been working hard!
The
collaborative has held discussions at churches and schools to talk
about the new STEM initiative. The goal of the meetings is to ensure
all of the community leaders invited to them are committed to promoting
STEM education in order to positively impact Rowan and Cabarrus
counties and to determine some next steps for how they can do that.
Attendees at these meetings also received updates on projects that
are going on in the counties that directly deal with STEM education.
Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars is
a member of the Cabarrus Rowan STEM Community Collaborative team
and has actively participated in their meetings.
Rowan-Cabarrus
Community College (RCCC) is a partner of the project
and Dr. Carol Spalding, President of RCCC said
with 79% of Rowan-Cabarrus graduates coming from STEM fields, the
college is hoping to bolster its STEM initiatives.
“With our second set of graduates from our biotechnology program at the North Carolina Research Campus and a LEED-gold certified classroom and laboratory building, we are emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math more than ever before,” she said.
Rowan-Salisbury Schools have also been helping work towards the goals of the project. The district received a $300,000 Golden Leaf Foundation grant titled “Leveraging our Biotechnology and Motorsports to Maximize STEM Performance.”
The curriculum modules include scientific method, fitness, innovation and technological design, physical science content, kinesiology and integrated mathematics.
During the fall semester, students will complete the modules and the pre-fitness assessment as the Human performance Lab at the Research Campus. During the spring semester, students will take part in an engineering and design challenge to enhance their cooperation, communication and teamwork by working with a pit crew in a competition at Rockingham Dragway.
Some of the meetings were held at churches within the communities in the hopes to get faith-based organizations to encourage youth to study STEM. Some faith-based organizations are already holding academic camps and plan to include more of the STEM based subjects. Members of the collaborative project are encouraging all faith-based organizations to help spread the word on STEM skills and to let young people know that it’s not out of reach for them.
The NC STEM Community Collaborative helps communities throughout North Carolina ensure that all students are career and college ready by engaging in rigorous and relevant science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education that provides them with good choices in life and bolsters the economic strength of their communities.
NC STEM is pushing innovation further faster by investing in local communities and linking them with the best resources in North Carolina and beyond.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board believes in the STEM Community Collaborative project and is proud to see so many of its partners working together to reach out to our workforce. Please continue to look to the Centralina WDB monthly Newsletter for updates on this exciting initiative in our region. For more information on the STEM project or on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.
Turning a Passion into a Possible Future
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Launches Game Design Camp Showing Gamers Careers
These days, just about anyone can play a video game — whether it’s virtual bowling or dancing or karaoke — but not everyone has the skill to actually design a game. This summer, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College launched a new Game Design day camp to help students imagine, plan, design and create their very own computer game.
With the gaming industry debating the future of consoles like PlayStation and Wii, computer gaming is becoming all that much more important.
“Game development is being implemented in many different types of industries and professions. Simulation and design are already being used in Fortune 500 companies for education, training and management modules,” said Pepsi Boyer, M.S., instructor for the day camp and Web Technologies. “The expansion of game design development techniques within all industries will eventually be inevitable.”
The
first day camp the college has offered, the Game Design day camp
was developed by Rowan-Cabarrus as an introduction for students
to the world of computer programming.
“These budding developers often don’t even realize they’re learning important skills and concepts they must eventually master to succeed in the competitive global IT workforce — things like object-oriented and event-driven programming, agile development, graphic interface design, idea sharing, peer review, revisioning, presentation and, above all, confidence,” said Rob Muhlstein of IBM, who assisted with the day camp. “Students leave having completed a game in a week that would have taken seasoned developers from earlier generations a year to develop.”
The 14 students in the camp were all boys, ages 12-16. While all of them were avid gamers, none of them had created a game themselves. The games created covered a range of interests and types — from sports to civil duty to mazes.
“This program shows that education and fun really can go together,” said President Dr. Carol Spalding. “I’m excited about the new ways Rowan-Cabarrus is reaching the community. From creating a day camp like this to developing more online courses, we are trying new and different ways to improve the access and availability of quality education.”
The camp consisted of four full days of training from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a special evening showcase for students to reveal their games to family and friends. The camp was held at the college’s Cabarrus Business and Technology Center (CBTC) in Concord.
“We have some great offerings here at Rowan-Cabarrus that people just don’t know about,” said Dr. Scott Nason, head of the Rowan-Cabarrus Web Technologies program. “By doing this day camp, we’re showing students and parents that we offer things they might not think about.”
The program the students used is actually a free download called GameMaker. Several parents acknowledged that their children went home, downloaded the program and continued designing immediately after camp hours.
“Not surprisingly, the students took to the program quite quickly,” said Boyer. “It’s also great that the program is free because the students can literally take their work home and continue to explore. They’ll be able to build games in the future and keep learning.”
In addition to the Game Design Day Camp, Rowan-Cabarrus also offers a Web Academy, where students can become industry-recognized Certified Internet Webmasters, and a Simulation and Game Development Academy.
For more information on these offerings, please contact Dr. Scott Nason, Program Head, Web Technologies, at 704-216-3784 or visit www.rccc.edu.
“They really taught us a lot,” said 13-year-old Brooks Burris of Salisbury. “I built this entire game by myself, except for the background. It’s cool.”
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and is proud of them for developing new and innovative ways to reach out to students. 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.
Rebuilding the Network of Community in Cabarrus County
Cooperative Christian Ministries Starts NetworkCCM to Help Unemployed
A resource for the unemployed is coming back to Cabarrus County. Cooperative Christian Ministries (CCM) is starting NetworkCCM, a group where unemployed and underemployed people can get job search coaching, encouragement and networking opportunities.
It’s a program that CCM Executive Director Ed Hosack implemented three years ago in July 2008 as part of the continuing services to those individuals laid off from Pillowtex who were still struggling with finding employment. About 4,800 people in North Carolina lost their jobs when Pillowtex, the former Cannon Mills, closed its main plant and headquarters in Kannapolis and other plants in the Centralina WDB region.
Hosack said this group will help job-seekers learn how to market themselves and keep their heads up in a market where unemployment is hovering near 10 percent. “It’s tough when you are looking at this current job market to stay encouraged,” Hosack said.
Hosack,
a former manager with Pillowtex who also lost his job, saw that
many of his employees had no idea how to look for a job or how to
write a resume. He started the job networking group eight years
ago in the shadow of Pillowtex. It quickly grew to about 70 people
meeting weekly.
Faced with continued unemployment, especially in public education, Hosack started the group again on Wednesday July 13, 2011 and had eight people show up. He said he expects that number to grow.
The unemployment rate in Cabarrus County has been holding steady at about 9 percent. But economists believe that the underemployment rate – the number of people working part-time jobs – is closer to 20 percent.
Hosack said he reactivated the job networking group in response to layoffs from the local school systems. “Many of the jobs affected were support positions and a lot of these folks haven’t been in the job market for five, 10 or even 15 years,” Hosack said.
CCM is emphasizing marketing skills and networking – especially since a lot of employers aren’t posting jobs. “They don’t want a thousand resumes to sort through,” Hosack said. “A lot of times, employers will hire from people they know. The best way to get a job is still networking.”
The group meets Wednesday afternoons, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 416 East First Street in Kannapolis.
The Centralina Workforce Board and the Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center are strong partners with Cooperative Christian Ministries and are happy to see the organization continuing to reach out to the community. The Board is glad to have another resource in the region for those looking for employment. For more information on the NetworkCCM or on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org.
Offering More Opportunities for Healthcare
Wingate University Opens New Levine College of Health Sciences
New
brick and cream-colored columns peek over the hill as you drive
down Main Street. It’s the new Levine College of Health
Sciences, the largest building on Wingate
University’s campus in Union County.
The university celebrated its newest addition on Thursday August 4, 2011 with an open house that drew dozens of prospective and current students, parents and community members. Visitors toured the School of Pharmacy and the William and Loretta Harris Department of Physician Assistant Studies.
“It’s very technologically advanced,” Katrina Gano said. “Everything is conducive to learning.” Gano graduates from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in May and hopes to attend Wingate the following fall to study pharmacy. She looked into other programs, but wanted to stay in North Carolina and was taken by Wingate’s comprehensive curriculum.
"It’s not just pharmacy," she said, its critical thinking. Gano’s favorite feature of the new building is the breakout rooms for group work.
"You don’t have to go to the library,” she said. “You can stay in the building.”
The three-story, 67,000-square-foot college is the second Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building in Union County.
“It’s everything that you could ever possibly want,” Robert Supernaw, dean of the School of Pharmacy, said.
Additional space allows the pharmacy program to increase enrollment from 72 to 90 students per class. The physician assistant program can grow to 50 students per class. This year’s class will have 34 students, PA program director Rosalind Becker said.
The students will add to Union County’s available healthcare workers, Supernaw said. About half of the students come from North Carolina, but most stay in the area after graduation.
Jenna McCoi moved from Pittsburgh to Matthews and will attend Wingate’s pharmacy school this fall. She was attracted to the technology, friendly faculty and small-town feel.
The new facility also allows for more interaction between pharmacy and PA faculty and students, Becker said.
The $16 million college is named in honor of Leon and Sandra Levine. Leon attended Wingate University and founded the Family Dollar store chain.
The building has three 90-seat classrooms, two 50-seat classrooms, several labs, a fitness center, conference rooms, biomedical science library, drug information center, offices and food service. A Subway will go in on the first floor.
Distance education technology also allows Wingate’s satellite campus in Hendersonville to see, hear and communicate with faculty on the main campus.
“I’m impressed,” PA student Susanne Hawthorne said. Hawthorne was raised in Charlotte, studied English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, then earned her master’s in business administration. She ran a store in Charlotte and had two children before finally following her passion for the medical field. Wingate University is fairly close to home, so she doesn’t have to leave her family.
Hawthorne starts clinical rotations soon and said she’s jealous she won’t be in the new building more often. “This has been an incredible experience,” Hawthorne said. “I’m proud to have that Wingate sticker on the back of the car.”
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a partner with Wingate University and the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership. We congratulate them this expansion. This growth will help them reach more students within the community and assist them in reaching their goals and dream careers. 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.
Susanne Hawthorne, second from right, a physician assistant student at Wingate University elaborates on the advantages that the new Levine College of Health Sciences facility offers that were not previously available. |
An open house ceremony was held on Thursday August 4, 2011 for the new Levine College of Health Sciences building at Wingate University. |
A Well Deserved Honor
Cabarrus County Department of Social Services Receives National Award
The
Cabarrus County Department
of Social Services has received national recognition
for reducing crisis assistance requests that were draining department
resources, according to county officials.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) presented the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services with achievement awards for substantially reducing costs in its Crisis Financial Assistance Program, and for a community outreach program to aid underserved older adults in Cabarrus County.
The annual NACo Achievement Award Program recognizes county programs in a variety of categories. Cabarrus County DSS won for Counting the Costs Financial Learning and Accountability Program and REACH – Reaching Elderly Adults with Community Helps.
Cabarrus County DSS developed the Counting the Costs Financial Learning and Accountability Program in partnership with N.C. Cooperative Extension and assistance from Cooperative Christian Ministry. The program offers free, financial counseling to recipients in the county’s Crisis Financial Assistance Program, which helps residents pay utility bills and rent.
Along with increased social work intervention and the financial counseling classes, Cabarrus County DSS saved county, state and federal tax dollars set aside for crisis. In the last year, the department has seen a 31 percent reduction of applications taken for crisis assistance, and a 37 percent reduction of the same families coming to the agency for additional help throughout the year.
DSS has also sought new ways to spread the word about untapped services available to older adults in Cabarrus County. The REACH program was a collaboration between three Cabarrus County departments: Social Services, Commerce and Aging. Through outreach programs at churches, nutrition sites and other community locations, REACH connected with 254 participants. Out of those requesting needs, 124 participants were referred to at least one program and/or service to assist them.
Multiple people were connected to services allowing them to have their Medicare premium paid, prescriptions paid, and qualifying them for food stamps because they were skipping meals to save money.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center system are proud partners with the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services. We congratulate them on this great award! The Board believes in using partnerships to reach out to the community and improving its citizens. 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.
|
Local Business Returns to its Roots in Lincoln CountyCochrane Furniture to Reopen as Lincolnton Furniture CompanyA familiar name is about to return to industry in Lincoln County — Cochrane. County commissioners approved a package of incentives this month that would help Bruce Cochrane restart the Lincolnton furniture manufacturing operation his family once owned and bring new jobs to a county now mired in double-digit unemployment.
The new company, which hopes to begin production by December 2011, would operate as Lincolnton Furniture and specialize in bedroom and dining furniture. The new company will initially lease the plant, but intends to buy it outright eventually. The package of economic incentives will involve cash payments of $7,000 annually to the company over the next five years. Those would assist the new company in significant equipment upgrades and renovations to the old plant. In exchange, the company would hire at least 120 employees by August 2013. Bruce Cochrane, the president of Cochrane Furniture until the old plant was sold to Chromcraft-Revington in 1996, will be the president and CEO of the new Lincolnton Furniture. Other members of his management team will include Bruce Hric, formerly of Capel Rugs; Mark Gosnell, formerly of Laz-Z-Boy; and Phillip Null, formerly of Null Furniture. The old plant has been closed since 2008. Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!
|
“It’s
awful good to have a Cochrane back in the furniture business
in Lincoln County,” said Alex Patton,
chairman of the Board of Commissioners after a brief public
hearing and a unanimous vote from the board to back the incentives
deal.
Universal
completed the purchase Tuesday July 19, 2011 according to
documents filed with the Rowan County Register of Deeds Office.
The company has said it plans to invest about $2.6 million
total in the expansion, including about $1 million in new
equipment.
Promats Athletics recently relocated their manufactoring manufacturing operation from South Main Street to Harrison Road. |
David Jackson uses a nailer to attach the vinyl covering on a pad that will be placed on the wall of a high school gym. |
Positive Changes Coming in for a Landing
Albemarle-Stanly County Airport Awarded a Grant for Resurfacing Runways
The runways at the Albemarle-Stanly County Airport will soon have a facelift after the Stanly County Board of Commissioners approved a block grant from the N.C. Division of Aviation during their meeting this month.
The grant, which totals $2.23 million, was awarded to the Stanly County Airport Authority on Friday August 5, 2011. These funds will be used, in combination with funds from the Air National Guard as well as local funding, to resurface the two runways and six taxiways at the airport.
The total cost of the project is expected to be approximately $6.58 million, which includes the cost for site investigation, design, construction, supervision and inspection.
Approximately 60 percent of the costs, or $4.1 million, will be the responsibility of the Air National Guard, while 36 percent, or $2.23 million, will be covered by the N.C. Division of Aviation Block Grant.
The remaining 4 percent, or $247,778, will be the responsibility of the county and will be paid from the Stanly County General Fund.
Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!
This photo of the Albemarle-Stanly County Airport is from 2006 and does not show the new terminal building but it is a stunning aerial of the area with the lake and Uwharrie Mountains in the background. |
Stanly County Economic Development Update
EDC Provides Report on Upcoming Projects
At the August meeting of the Stanly County Economic Development Commission (EDC) board, Paul Stratos, EDC Director, noted there has been a 6.2 percent increase in potential investments within the county and a 13 percent increase in potential projects, which translates into four new projects.
“I am encouraged by the activity we are seeing. And the quality of the projects we’re seeing is high,” Stratos said, adding that the value of the projects being considered are estimated at $628.3 million and could bring a potential 9 percent increase in available jobs.
Stratos
also gave an update to the board on the Virtual Building Program,
which is geared towards providing a virtual design of a prospective
business for potential clients to view.
The building is designed to meet county codes and specs, making it possible for the building to be built within a short amount of time should a company choose to locate in or expand to Stanly County.
“By having the virtual design done now, most buildings can be built within a few months, which for most companies, this easily fits in to their time schedule,” Stratos said.
“It also removes the risks that can arise with zoning permitting and with grading, which is where a large amount of risk comes from because developers won’t know what they’ll run into on a site until they start working. By doing these designs, we remove that risk.”
Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!
| July
2011 (Source: NC Employment Security Commission) |
||
| County | Unemployment
Rate |
Persons
Employed |
| Anson | 12.5% |
8,491 |
| Cabarrus | 10.4% |
74,568 |
| Iredell | 11.0% |
71,071 |
| Lincoln | 11.7% |
33,276 |
| Rowan | 11.8% |
59,610 |
| Stanly | 11.5% |
26,486 |
| Union | 9.5% |
84,735 |
| Centralina WDB Region | 10.8% |
358,237 |
| State of NC | 10.3% |
4,085,344 |
For more information on employment, click here
NEW INCUMBENT WORKFORCE GRANT APPLICATION AND GUIDELINES RELEASED!
FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN GET MONEY TO TRAIN YOUR WORKFORCE
Want a great way to help upgrade the skills of your current workforce and prepare for the future? The Centralina Workforce Development Board can help. The Board is currently accepting applications from local businesses for grant funding for Incumbent Workforce Development training.
The Incumbent Workforce Development training grants are designed to upgrade employees' skills and increase the competitiveness of companies in the global marketplace. The focus of the funding is layoff aversion with special emphasis on skills development and portable certifications for employees.
The first application round for funding will close on Wednesday September 21, with one more round 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, requirements, and the application, please visit the Centralina WDB website or contact Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Coordinator at (704) 348-2710 or at vcarter@centralina.org.
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 21, 2011. So don’t delay, submit your application today!
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 9, 2011 the Centralina Workforce Development and the Charlotte Regional Partnership and Central Piedmont Community College held their 2nd Annual Energy Careers for a Brighter Future event at the Harris Conference Center in Charlotte.
Area energy businesses, community leaders and participants came together for the day to participant in networking and seminars. Over 250 professionals attended the event where 35 of the industry leaders in energy careers spoke.
“This is not a career fair, but an opportunity to learn about jobs, and connect with people within the industry,” said Richard Zollinger, Central Piedmont CC vice president for learning and one of the organizers. The Charlotte region is home to more than 250 energy-related companies with more than 26,000 workers and local leaders expect that sector to increase. That’s why the Charlotte USA region has become known as the Energy Capital.
This year, attendees heard from executives with a list of companies, including Duke Energy, Siemens, Mitsubishi Nuclear Energy Systems, Areva, Shaw, and Westinghouse Electric Company.
After an opening panel discussion, which looked at the local economy from Wells Fargo chief economist John Silvia, organizers planned four seminar sessions. The four sessions were: Traditional Energy Careers, Non-Traditional Energy Careers, Re-Inventing Yourself for an Energy Career and Ask the Experts. David Hollars Executive Director for the Centralina Workforce Development Board and Vail Carter Business Services Representative with the Centralina Workforce Development Board both served on the “ask the experts” panel where they provide information via a two-way dialogue with attendees on workforce opportunities in the energy field.
The sessions were created to help encourage and inspire those already in the energy industry and those looking to get involved with this fast group career field. For more information on this event, please visit www.cpcc.edu/energy.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a partner with both
the Charlotte Regional Partnership and Central Piedmont Community
College and congratulates them on another well received annual event!
The Board is excited to see its partners encouraging job growth
in innovative and in demand sectors in the region. For more information
on the Energy Careers for a Brighter Future or on the Centralina
Workforce Development Board please contact Emily Clamp at (704)
348-2732 or by email at eclamp@centralina.org.
More than 250 people interested in learning about jobs in the growing energy sector in Charlotte attended "Energy Careers for a Bright Future" at the CPCC Harris Conference Center on August 9. The event focused on helping people in career transition learn about jobs in the energy sector and the specific skills needed to get those jobs. The day included seminars and networking opportunities with representatives from area energy firms, colleges and employment firms. The sold-out event was sponsored by the Charlotte Regional Partnership’s “Charlotte USA – The New Energy Capital” initiative. |
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is in YOUR Community!
During the month of August 2011, 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, the Energy Careers for a Bright Future event, and WIA-Youth Summer Program 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 9 at the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kannapolis. The Board welcomed Brenda Speece, Director of the Children’s Homes of Iredell County, Inc. as its newest member. David Hollars lead a facilitated discussion among Board members and the audience on the future of our public workforce development system in the region. New demands and possible changes on the state and national stage will require new and innovative ways to serve businesses and career seekers. Ideas and possible solutions were presented. The Board approved a new committee structure. The Board committees are Executive Committee, Youth Council, Services to Individuals, Services to Businesses, Marketing & Measurement, and Service Delivery.
Centralina WDB Business Services Coordinator Vail Carter presented results from the most recent Business Comfort index survey and updates on several other business services initiatives. Information on regional initiatives (CAFÉ, Energy Careers event, Allied Health RSP meeting, Governor’s Awards winners), the NC Workforce Development Partnership, and other workforce issues were also provided.
Centralina Workforce Development Board JobLink Career Centers Managers quarterly meeting – held on Tuesday August 9 at the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kannapolis. Managers shared their ideas for improving the current one-stop service delivery system.
Charlotte Regional Partnership Exisiting Industry Directors quarterly meeting – held on Friday August 19 at CRP offices in Charlotte. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting with existing industry staff from area economic development agencies.
North Carolina Institute of Medicine – Allied Health meeting – held on Friday August 26 at the Institute’s office in Morrisville. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars made a presentation on behalf of the Competitive Workforce Alliance Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership.
Mooresville Graded Schools Career Bridge Advisory Committee meeting – held on Monday August 29 at NF Woods School in Mooresville. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting dealing with promoting career & technical education and careers for students.
Southern Economic Development Council conference – held on August 15-17 in Asheville. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this national conference featuring economic development, business, and government representatives.
Iredell County Small Business Plan Committee planning meeting – held on Tuesday August 2 at Mountain State University in Mooresville. Centralina WDB Executive Director participated in meeting with representatives from Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce, Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce, Mitchell Community College, Mountain State University, and Small Business Technology Development Center to develop guidelines for the 2012 competition.
PY 2011 Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Kick Off Sessions – Adult and Dislocated Worker Contractor Staff – held on Friday August 26 at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Business Technology Center in Concord. Centralina WDB staff members Patricia White, Michelle McNulty, and Emily Clamp conducted the session for 34 WIA contractor staff members. The informational session covering WIA, WorkforcePlus, review of forms, NCSTARS, performance measures, and program exits.
PY 2011 Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Kick Off Sessions – Youth Contractor Staff – held on Monday August 29 at Salisbury-Rowan-Cabarrus Community Action Agency in Salisbury. Centralina WDB staff members Patricia White, Michelle McNulty, and Emily Clamp conducted the session for 15 WIA contractor staff members. The informational session covering WIA, WorkforcePlus, review of forms, NCSTARS, performance measures, and program exits.
NC Workforce Development Directors Council meeting – held on August 4 and 5 in Durham. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting.
NC Commission on Workforce Development quarterly meeting – held on Wednesday August 24 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting.
Workforce Business Development and Assistance – provided by Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative for the following area companies and organizations:
- Participated in regular meeting of the Charlotte Region Economic and Workforce Recovery Initiative at the Harris Campus of Central Piedmont Community College. Reported on the activities of the Faith Based and Community Organizations Committee – August 3.
- Participated in Iredell Manufacturers Council meeting held at Mitchell Community College in Statesville (Iredell County). Networked with member businesses to discuss business services offered by Centralina Workforce Development Board and reviewed presentation delivered by Accuma Corporation on the successes of their Incumbent Workforce Development Program grant – August 8
- Participated in Energy Careers for a Brighter Future event at the Central Piedmont Community College Harris Conference Center in Charlotte. Participated as a presenter and part of a panel to discuss energy careers in the region – August 9.
- Conducted Incumbent Workforce Development Program overview presentation and application workshop. The training was held at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Biotechnology Center at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis – August 12.
- Conducted Incumbent Workforce Development Program grant management meeting with staff of Union County Community Action Agency and the Anson County Partnership for Children. The meeting was held in Monroe at the Union County Community Action Agency administrative offices – August 18.
- Conducted Incumbent Workforce Development Program overview presentation and application workshop The training was held at Mitchell Community College’s Mooresville campus – August 19.
- Business development meeting with Ms. Brenda Speece at the Special Treasures store in Statesville operated by the Children’s Homes of Iredell County - August 19.
- Represented Centralina Workforce Development Board at the opening of the new Innervision Share Network Access Point in downtown Charlotte – August 22.
- Business development meeting with Human Resource Director of Goodrich Corporation in Monroe (Union County) – August 26.
- Conducted Incumbent Workforce Development Program contract monitoring site visit at Hornwood, Inc. in Lilesville (Anson County). Met with training vendor and gathered information on training completed to date and the positive impact on company operations – August 29.
- Business development meeting with the President of Premiere Fibers in Ansonville (Anson County) – August 29.
- Hosted a planning meeting of NC WDB Business Services representatives to develop the 2012 Business Services Representatives North Carolina Skills Gap Survey. Meeting held at Centralina WDB offices – 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.
READ SIMILAR NEWS
It is that time of year again as workforce professionals across North Carolina gear up for the Workforce Development Partnership Conference 2011. This year's conference titled Recovery Through Innovations will be held October 12-14 at the Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel and Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.
Several featured presenters have been highlighted. They include Judson Laipply, David Hollars, Keith Crisco, Scott Ralls and many more! Some of the featured workshops include: “A High Performance Workforce in State Government,” “RBI: Bridging the Needs of Business and Workforce Development,” and “Assessing the Allied Health Workforce Needs.” You also don’t want to miss the Governor’s Awards Banquet on Thursday October 13, 2011 that will feature Stanly County employer Avdel USA receiving their award for “Outstanding Employer.”
Registration and preliminary agenda information can be found at the NC Workforce Development Training Center website at www.ncwdtc.com.
The early registration deadline is Monday September 12, 2011. So don’t delay and sign up today! And be sure to make your room reservations at the Sheraton Four Seasons as soon as possible at 1-800-242-6556 or www.sheratongreensboro.com. For more information about the NC Workforce Development Partnership Conference please contact Robbin Davis Broome, Conference Coordinator at (919) 329.5588 or rbroome@nccommerce.com.
NC Research Campus Update
Find Out What’s the Latest with this World Renowned Biotech Development
Leaders Celebrate Broadband Expansion
Rural broadband access got a jump-start at the N.C. Research Campus
on Friday August 12, 2011. Elected leaders held a “virtual
ground-breaking” on the second phase of a massive statewide
project to bring broadband access to rural areas in the state.
The $105 million project – with $75 million coming from federal stimulus money – will install about 1,650 miles of new broadband fiber cable through rural counties. This will increase access and boost speeds up to 1 gigabit of information a second, said Lawrence Strickling, assistant secretary for the U.S. Commerce Department.
But for legislators on the state and federal level, the message was clear: This program expansion will help create jobs, connect schools and universities and expand the broadband infrastructure to people where they need it.
“Far too many people lack the 21st Century tools to compete in the global economy,” said Senator Kay Hagan. “Rural areas were hit hard in the economic downturn.”
The
other $24 million to pay for the project is a grant from the
Golden LEAF Foundation, through its Rural Broadband
Initiative.
“The world we live in today depends on more and more connections,” Hagan said.
The N.C. Research Campus will be a new hub in this broadband network, allowing scientists at the Core Research Laboratory to share information throughout the state and world at speeds faster than regular broadband.
Joe Freddoso, chief executive of MCNC, the non-profit leading the rural broadband project, said the project would affect research and development, education and health care.
While this network is primarily for institutional customers – schools, colleges, hospitals – MCNC is talking with private industry partners to help distribute broadband access to residences, Freddoso said.
“We’re bringing the highway of the future to North Carolina,” he said.
A New Partnership is Formed at the Campus
LabCorp will work with the David H. Murdock
Research Institute (DHMRI) to develop new testing tools
that could be used in clinical research worldwide.
Under the partnership announced, LabCorp’s clinical trials division, Esoterix, will provide the institute’s clients with access to test development services. New assays discovered and developed at DHMRI could also be transferred to LabCorp’s clinical trial laboratories around the world to support clinical studies.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. But the agreement provides commercialization path for companion diagnostics and other tests once they’ve been validated in a clinical setting.
The DHMRI was founded by businessman David H. Murdock, former executive and owner of the Dole Food Company, who envisioned creating a new biotechnology research hub in the mill town of Kannappolis. Eight North Carolina universities have a presence on the 350-acre campus; Burlington, North Carolina-based LabCorp is one of the businesses with space on the site.
DHMRI offers a range of research capabilities that can support test development for early and late stage drug discovery and development. LabCorp has been boosting its abilities to support clinical research.
Please stay tuned to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for more developments on this exciting story. 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.
A groundbreaking ceremony during an announcement of the second phase of a rural broadband initiative partially funded by federal stimulus money. |
Youth On the Path to a Brighter FutureYouth Receive GEDs and Job Skills Thanks to Centralina WDB Workforce Investment Act FundsLast fall, Cynthia McLean was struggling through school, three grades behind her peers. Unsure of how she’d catch up, she decided to withdraw from Salisbury High School. But in May she walked across the stage at Rowan- Cabarrus Community College and received her GED. “I can’t explain it,” Cynthia, 17, said of the feeling inside of her as she walked across the stage. “Everybody was happy. All of my family was there and everything. I was just like, ‘I did it!’” Tyree Badger will soon take his final test to determine whether or not he’ll receive his GED. The 18-year-old dropped out of Henderson Independent High School last fall after unwanted attention at the school, but was determined to finish school and earn his GED. His older brother participated in the program, and wanted give it a try himself.
Not only have Cynthia and Tyree spent the summer working at Team Auto Group, the local Chevrolet and Cadillac dealer in Salisbury, through the Summer Youth Employment program, they’ve also been reading and attending workshops. They recently traveled to Orlando, Florida, to attend Disney’s Leadership in Excellence Workshop where they received customer service training and tips from Disney employees and attended sessions on business and entrepreneurship. After they enroll in college this fall and earn 15 credit hours, they both hope to join the U.S. Air Force. Cynthia wants to be a military police officer while Tyree wants to learn about computers. Cynthia said she’s always been interested in becoming a law enforcement officer, and hopes to one day become an air marshal. “I’ve been wanting to go into the military basically all my life,” she said. “I love their uniforms, the stuff they do, just everything. It’s basically going to be my career.” Tyree wants to combine his love of computers with his passion for music. “I want to branch off and make my own small business,” he said. “I might want to make a studio for my music.” Cynthia and Tyree are two of 10 students enrolled in the WIA program this summer, where students are working at businesses in Rowan and Cabarrus counties. The summer employment is part of the WIA program, and students not only receive a paycheck, but learn business skills and life lessons. Cynthia has been trying her hand at being a receptionist for the dealership, while Tyree has been a jack of all trades, working in the showroom, service department and doing things on the car lot. “This job has taught me responsibility,” he said. “It teaches me how to work in the real life and how to budget my own money. “ “I’ve learned a lot of skills from checking tire tread to customer service and interacting with people.” A WIA success story, Roge Givens, is now an employee at Team Auto Group, and a role model to Cynthia and Tyree. “I know from experience that the WIA program is a program of opportunity,” Givens said. “After high school didn’t work out for me the WIA program took me in, they helped me stay out of trouble and see life in different perspective.” Aside from Cynthia and Tyree’s teachers and directors at Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency and Team Auto Group, they both say their mothers have been their biggest fans through their year in the WIA program. “My mom is basically my main supporter,” Cynthia said. “She loves that I’m actually wanting to do something with my life. “She told me to stay in the program and go ahead to school and stick to my dreams.” Tyree’s mother has given him the extra push to keep going, he said. “She’s been supportive, and said to keep going until you get it,” he said. “And said that when you get it, strive for more.” Almond Miller, business liaison for SRCAA’s WIA program, has traveled to the different workshops with the students, and said the entire staff helps shape the at-risk youth into mature and responsible adults. “They’ve learned how to be self sufficient and be leaders,” Miller said. And at the same time, she said, the students have “obtained a job and learned financial literacy while also being good students and learning the foundations of the academia world.” “We know that they walk away with higher self esteem than when they came,” she said. “These aren’t bad kids; they just needed people to believe in them. It’s a really rewarding job.” The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina WDB Youth Council are proud to see their local partners reaching out to the region’s youth who are the region’s growing workforce. For more information on the Workforce Investment Act or on the Centralina Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.
|
Cynthia
and Tyree were able to get their GED through the Workforce
Investment Act program (WIA) Youth Program, which is a program
offered by 
On
Wednesday, August, 10, 2011 Tiara Threatt was a part of the Union County Community Action Agency’s Book Club and got to read “The Help” and discuss the book in depth with other youth. |
Graduation Rates are Up!
Cabarrus County and Kannapolis City School Systems See Increases in Graduation Rates
A report released this month by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction shows that graduation rates from Cabarrus County and Kannapolis City school systems saw a significant increase in the 2010-11 academic year.
Kannapolis
City Schools posted a graduation rate of 85.1
percent, up from 77 percent last year and 69 percent in 2008-09.
The data notes the percentage of students who began as freshmen
in the 2007-08 school year and graduated in four years.
A.L. Brown High School Principal Kevin Garay noted that this year's graduates were the first to start their high school careers in the school's Freshman Academy, which opened in 2007. The program is aimed at helping ninth grade students make the transition from middle school to high school and stay on track to graduate.
”Our number one goal has been keeping students in school and raising academic achievement,” Garay said. “Our Freshman Academy has helped us do that. Another big factor has been our outstanding staff and their dedication to our students. I’m extremely proud of what they’ve done and of how hard our students have worked.”
Cabarrus
County Schools improved its graduation rates
as well. According to the report, the school saw an 84 percent
four-year graduation cohort rate for the 2010-11 school year.
That is a 5.3 percent increase over the previous year and
is 6.3 percent higher than the state average.
System staff said strategies that were put in place three years ago to help students succeed are paying off as the report shows. Those strategies include:
- Establishing mentor programs at each high school
- Implementing credit recovery programs at each high school
- Monitoring student withdrawals
State officials will release a statewide school report card later this year that will summarize these test scores along with additional academic, safety, financial and teacher qualification information from the 2010-11 school year.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud of Kannapolis City Schools and Cabarrus County Schools for doing such a great job to raise graduation rates! To see the full report and find out how other school districts did you can visit the NC Department of Public Instruction’s website here. For more information on the Centralina Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.
Changing the Dynamics of Teaching
Union County Public Schools Shift Their Educational Focus
There is currently a shift in the educational focus within
Union County
Public Schools.
Educators are moving away from simply “teaching” in order to concentrate on “student learning.”
“We’re changing the culture of the classroom,” said Jimmie Quesinberry, UCPS Director of Professional Growth and Quality Standards. “It’s not about how you teach. It’s about what the students learn. It’s sounds like semantics but it’s really not; there is a difference. That’s going to be dramatic for some schools. ”
This focus will be reached through a concept called “professional learning communities” (PLC), which is based on a model designed by noted educator and author on the subject, Richard DuFour.
DuFour’s PLC model focuses on three main principles: learning rather than teaching, working collaboratively and educators holding themselves accountable for results.
“Even
if I stand up and deliver a marvelous lesson, but they still
don’t know the concepts when we’re through, then
what good is the teaching?” Quesinberry said. “Sometimes
teachers give up too quickly if they’re focused solely
on teaching. If they’re focused on learning, however,
they go back and look at interventions so the student doesn’t
fail. High-stakes testing has unfairly pigeonholed teachers
to try to get through all the goals and objectives. And with
so many goals and objectives, that’s nearly impossible
for our teachers.”
The second principle (working collaboratively) is a vital component in the equation. “There must be collaboration, that’s why it called a community,” Quesinberry said. “It’s made up of not just the teacher, but of lots of people.”
In order to work collaboratively, PLCs utilize more of the school’s staff in the learning process. “It’s not going to just be this teacher teaching, you’re going to have a lot more people involved,” Quesinberry said. “It may involve the guidance counselor supporting the effort. If there is a particular skill that the student is missing, and there is another teacher who teaches it better, then we make sure the student is matched up with that person. It utilizes National Honor Society students to peer tutor if the student in question doesn’t do well with adult/student relationships.”
In the PLCs, teachers come together to evaluate student data, discuss the progress and challenges individual students may be having and then design interventions for those students. The student is continually reassessed to make sure he is learning the subject.
“It’s an ongoing process of continuous improvement,” Quesinberry said. “The expectation is that all students learn at a high level. If it were my child, then I would expect that from the school. We owe that to all of our students.”
About 40 UCPS educators went through training the week of August 8, 2011, to study the DuFour PLC model, all part of the Race to the Top criteria. Race to the Top is a competitive federal grant program designed to “encourage and reward states that are creating the conditions for education innovation and reform.”
The federal program aims to achieve significant improvement in student outcomes, including making substantial gains in student achievement, closing achievement gaps, improving high school graduation rates, and ensuring student preparation for success in college and careers.
Several UCPS schools have been utilizing the PLC concepts, but the training will refine that process of continuous improvement, Quesinberry said.
At the start of the 2011-2012 school year, administrators from Unionville Elementary, Kensington Elementary, Marvin Ridge High School, Waxhaw Elementary, Indian Trail Elementary, Rocky River Elementary, Sun Valley Middle, Marvin Elementary, Parkwood High School, Poplin Elementary and Marvin Ridge Middle will have gone through the DuFour PLC training.
“I think we’re already moving in the right direction, but the professional learning communities will help us move in the right direction faster and more collectively overall,” said Waxhaw Elementary School Principal Cheryl Lawrence. “I think this will get all stakeholders involved at the right level. It will insure that everyone is on board and we’re doing it together. And hopefully, it will continue to increase student performance.”
Jim Shipley, president of Jim Shipley and Associates, worked with UCPS principals and directors in a two-day workshop held at Central Academy of Technology and Arts (CATA) on Tuesday (Aug. 2, 2011) to demonstrate how educators could support the new educational focus on the school system level.
“The ‘Systems Approach for Improvement and Performance Excellence’ guides UCPS schools as we continue to implement aligned continuous-improvement plans for our district,” said Dana Crosson, the UCPS Race the Top Facilitator. “This enables us to systematically plan for learning outcomes versus teaching outcomes and provides a means of accountability to our customers and stakeholders.”
The systematic process will help UCPS align the internal processes and continually evaluate those processes by using a built-in Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model to ensure learning is taking place in every classroom in UCPS, Crosson said.
“In this manner we can make sure everything is aligned with the strategic plan and all stakeholders and customers – students, teachers and staff alike – are where they need to be to make learning happen,” she said.
Shipley’s two-day workshop also offered insight into how to develop the processes to ensure high student and staff performance is in line with the system’s strategic plan.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud partners with Union County Public Schools and congratulate them on thinking of innovative ways to reach out to the youth in the Centralina region. For more information on the new direction of Union County Public Schools or on the Centralina Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.
Jim Shipley, president of Jim Shipley and Associates, works with UCPS principals and directors to demonstrate how they can support the new educational focus called “professional learning communicates” (PLC) from an administrative level. |
Using Technology and Creativity to Reach Our Youth
Mooresville Graded School District Adds Innovative Online Feature for Students Who Need to Make Up Credits
One
of our region’s school district is providing middle
and high school students who need to make up credits an
opportunity to complete their coursework online.
Mooresville Graded School District, located in Mooresville (Iredell County) has signed on to Pearson Education's MyMathLab Web platform to provide curriculum for basic math, pre-algebra, algebra 1, algebra 2, advanced functions and modeling, pre-calculus, Advanced Placement calculus, geometry, discrete, and AP statistics.
MyMathLab features a homework and test manager, gradebook tracking, the ability to copy or share courses and manage groups, a custom exercise builder with immediate feedback, e-book and multimedia learning aids, and professional tutoring from the Pearson Tutor Center.
In addition, the district is using Pearson's NovaNet Web platform to provide multimedia courses. It contains the entire core high school curricula in math, English, social studies, and science. NovaNet allows the district to: change the mastery level for a student with special needs, personalize courses with different study plan options, create discussion forums for students, and add customized assessments. The Basic Achievement Skills Inventory evaluates student mathematics, reading, and language arts skills for initial placement.
In
the Mooresville Graded School District, all students and
teachers in grades 4 through12 have been issued MacBook
computers since 2008 for use at both home and school. Teachers
use videos, the Internet, and e-textbooks on a daily basis
in the classroom. Instructors and administrators can remotely
monitor every student's computer screen.
Mooresville student achievement and graduation rates have improved by 14 percent and 11 percent, respectively, from three years ago.
"Our digital conversion plan calls for technology-rich curriculum programs for our students that embody the teaching of 21st century skills. We chose Pearson because it is committed to the success of the one-to-one movement and has a record of creating research-based digital curriculum with proven results. Pearson has demonstrated leadership in engineering the kind of one-to-one centric programs that are a 100 percent match with the goals we have set for our Mooresville students," said Superintendent Mark Edwards in a prepared statement.
Mooresville Graded School District, which serves 5,500 students, comprises three elementary schools, two intermediate schools, one middle school, and one high school. Its 2011-2012 budget is $68.2 million.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud partners the Mooresville Graded School District. Everyone is very impressed with the many ways that they continue to reach out to today’s youth and keep them engaged with their education. For more information on the MyMathLab web platform or on the Centralina WDB Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.
There's a JobLink Near You!
Anson County JobLink Career Center
116 West Wade Street
Wadesboro, NC 28170
Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center
2275 Kannapolis Highway
Concord, NC 28027
Iredell County JobLink Career Center - Mooresville
Center
470-A North Broad Street
Mooresville, NC 28115
Iredell County JobLink Career Center - Statesville Center
133 Island Ford Road
Statesville, NC 28625
Lincoln County JobLink Career Center
529 North Aspen Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Rowan County JobLink Career Center
1904 South Main Street
Salisbury, NC 28144
Stanly County JobLink Career Center
2215 US Highway 52 North
Albemarle, NC 28001
Union County JobLink Career Center
1125 Skyway Drive
Monroe, NC 28110
For more information on Centralina region JobLink Career Centers, click here.
Commitment to workforce excellence
What's Happening in the Region?
Comings, Goings, Kudos…
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Maurice
Ewing, President of the Union County
Partnership for Progress has announced that he
will retire on February 15, 2012. He joined the partnership
6 years ago as a leader of the county’s contracted
economic development organization. 
Stanly
Community College has selected its next president,
Dr. Brenda S. Kays. She will be leaving
her position as vice president of student learning and
success at Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown
which she has held since 2008. She will start her new
position on Thursday September 1, 2011. We welcome Dr.
Kays to the Centralina WDB region! 
The
American Chamber of Commerce Executives
(ACCE) has designated Mooresville’s Karen
Shore as certified chamber executive. The CCE
is the only national certification for chamber professionals.
Shore is president/CEO of the Mooresville-South
Iredell Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations
Karen! 
John
Metcalf left the Corporation for a Skilled
Workforce (CSW) on August 21, 2011 and has returned
to independent consulting. He will still be working with
the CSW through consultative opportunities. His new contact
information for his consulting company, Workforce Systems
Associates is 
Lynn
Raye, a member of the South Piedmont
Community College Board of Trustees since the
college’s formation in 1999, resigned this month
because he has accepted an appointment to the State
Board of Community Colleges. Raye began his two-year
term on the state board after he was sworn in August.
Dr.
Michael Taylor, former President of Stanly
Community College was presented the Order of
the Long Leaf Pine Award by Elbert L. Whitley Jr., SCC
trustee chair. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award,
created in 1965, is among the most prestigious awards
presented by the governor. Congratulations Dr. Taylor!
• Centralina Workforce Development
Board meeting • Centralina WDB Executive Planning
Committee • Centralina Youth Council meeting • Re-Employment Bridge Institute Community
Outreach Training • Union JobReady Partnership Meeting • Re-Employment Bridge Institute Community
Outreach Training • Resume Clinic • Identifying Your Career Options • Looking for Work at 50+ • Stand Out from the Competition • Letter Writing for the Jobseeker • Resume Clinic • Interview Techniques • Identifying Career Options • Resume Clinic • Interview Techniques • It’s Not Who You Know, It’s
Who You Meet • Looking for Work at 50+ • Resume Clinic • Understanding Credit Reports in
a Work Search • Stand Out from the Competition • Looking for Work with a Criminal
Record • Online Job Hunting
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. • Career Development Facilitator Programs |
| Visit
our website at www.centralinaworks.com
to learn more about the Centralina WDB |
| To
learn more about the Centralina Council of Governments please visit
www.centralina.org |
| CentralinaWORKS is a publication of the Centralina Workforce Development Board. If you do not wish to receive this E-Newsletter in the future, please send a return e-mail and type "REMOVE" in the Subject Line and you will be removed from our distribution list. The CWDB does not share its distribution list with other organizations. Please feel free to share this E-Newsletter with co-workers and other business associates. |