Arel’s
advice to the attendees was to be willing to stretch your comfort
zone and be willing to do things other people won’t. He also
noted that 80% of all millionaires are entrepreneurs. Arel stated
that you should not look for opportunities to create an idea; instead
you should look for problems – developing the solution to
those problems will be your opportunity.
The
Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour: Dream Big is presented in partnership
with the Free Enterprise Campaign of the US Chamber of Commerce
with additional support from Inc. Magazine. Founded by award-winning
entrepreneurs Michael Simmons and Sheena Lindahl when they were
just 25 years old, the tour is comprised of many of America’s
top young entrepreneurs who've made, earned, or sold a company for
millions and/or made a huge impact before the age of 30! The vision
of the tour is for all of America’s college students to graduate
with an entrepreneurial mindset.Centralina Workforce Development Board staff and staff from the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour smile for the cameras. From left to right: Toranosuke Matsuoka, Vail Cater, David Hollars, Michelle McNulty, Alexa Plew, Patricia White, Arielle Patrice Scott, Natasha Pender and Arel Moodie. |
Some of the attendees of the 5th Annual Centralina Youth Services Summit pose for a quick picture. |
Photo above article: Participants from the 5th Annual Centralina Youth Services Summit. |
Retrain for Your Next Career…For Free!
Mitchell Community College Employability and Retraining Lab Fits the Bill
Iredell County residents who are looking for a job opportunity may have a little-known avenue for getting a leg up.
The
Mitchell Community
College Employability and Retraining Lab can help those
who have either recently lost their job or those who are looking
to advance to a better position in the area.
“It’s a great course and it gives people a place they can build their skills,” said instructor George Kesbury, a retired educator. “It’s perfect for someone who was out of work for awhile, like a mom returning to the work force, or for someone who has had the same job for a number of years, was let go and needs to polish their skills.
“It’s open to 20 people at a time and is a wonderful and free resource to use.” Kesbury said the class size varies from week to week, anywhere from five participants to a dozen.
He said the class helps students “build morale” and “gives them direction.” “When you come into the lab, I interview you and we fill out some forms,” he said. “I want to get an understanding of who you are, where you’ve been and where we need to go. Then we can explore new avenues and skills, finding what you’d like to do and set up an individual program to get you there.”
The
lab also offers the Career
Readiness Certification, building reading, math and
other necessary skills that employers require and the Work Certified
certificate which documents and validates the “soft skills”
the individual possess.
“We give students a pre-test, then work on the areas they need to improve,” Kesbury said. “The test is recognized by many area employers as a legitimate certification and some even require it. When test-takers feel they are ready, we send them to the Statesville campus. It’s not a fixed program; we want to make sure students learn what they need to, however long it takes.”
The employability lab is offered at both the Statesville and Mooresville campuses, with Mooresville’s courses held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and on Wednesday nights from 6-9 p.m. (Statesville times and dates may vary).
Participants must pre-register for the Mooresville lab by calling 704-663-1923.
“I really think it’s one of Mooresville’s best kept secrets,” Kesbury said.
Did
you know that your local community college also offers retraining
labs? Every community college within the Centralina Workforce Development
Board region can offer this assistance to its community. To find
the closest one to you, please visit
our website and contact your local community college for more
information!
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with all of the region’s community colleges and commends them for offering this outstanding service to the community. For more information on this program at Mitchell Community College or other available training at local community colleges, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org.
Setting Their Goals on Students and Jobs
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Releases 2011-2014 Strategic Plan
Officials
at Rowan-Cabarrus Community
College (RCCC) want to be a leader in providing 21st
century education and workforce development. The college is planning
to use its 2011-2014 strategic plan to do just that. President Carol
Spalding outlined the plan during a recent meeting with
the board of trustees.
The plan, which has been in the works since November 201, has already been before faculty and staff, the Student Government Association and Vision 20/20.
“It’s had a lot of field work so it won’t be any surprise when it’s done,” Spalding said.
The plan will include a revised mission statement that reads “Rowan-Cabarrus Community College improves lives and builds community through higher education and workforce development.” “It’s a scaled-down mission,” Spalding said. “The mission and visions, I would say, are works in progress.”
Spalding
said building community isn’t a role that RCCC has had in
the past, but believes it will be vital to the college’s future.
“We want to be a catalyst for change,” she said. “We really are the only public higher education in the two-county area…we want to accentuate that.”
Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz said the college is just as beneficial to the community as it is for individual students.
“Our number one focus has been to bring jobs to Salisbury and Rowan County,” she said. “When recruiting, we use the fact that Rowan-Cabarrus is such a jewel that is right here in our city to provide training and retraining.
The proposed goals for the next three years include:
- Prepare students for 21st century careers and opportunities that simulate sustainable economic and workforce development.
- Produce exceptional learning outcomes that demonstrate academic excellence and student success.
- Provide excellent service delivery for current and perspective students to advance achievement.
- Acquire, develop and manage human, fiscal and infrastructure sources essential to the development and delivery of high-quality education.
- Serve as a catalyst for advancing the community.
Spalding said the passage of the $12 million bond package for capital improvements and renovations to the North Campus will be instrumental in accomplishing the goals to life.
The bond funding will help bring the campus up to Americans with Disabilities Act standards and expand classroom space, which means students will have more course options.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a strong partner with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. The Board congratulates them on setting new goals for the community and their students. For more information on the new goals for RCCC or information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org.
My Next Move for Your New Career!
US Department of Labor Launches “My Next Move” for Jobseekers
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis has unveiled a new online tool called My Next Move. The tool is aimed at providing jobseekers with information on more than 900 occupations, as well as local job openings and training opportunities in a simple, user-friendly format.
My Next Move is intended to assist all jobseekers. It may be especially useful for students, young adults and other first-time workers as they explore potential careers based on their interests. The new tool complements the department’s “mySkills myFuture” site, which is designed to help those with previous work experience match their existing skills to new occupations.
“This administration is committed to expanding opportunities for all Americans. That includes ensuring all workers – those with years of experience and those just entering the workforce – have the information they need to make informed career decisions and get good jobs,” said Secretary Solis. “By leveraging technology in a user-friendly tool, My Next Move will help those seeking career guidance learn more about work opportunities in fields that are of interest to them and that are likely to have job openings today and well into the future.”
The new website allows users to search for jobs by occupation, by industry and using the “O*NET Interest Profiler,” which matches an individual’s interests with suitable occupations by asking 60 questions. Since 2001, the department’s Occupational Information Network (O*NET), has used a 180 question version of the profiler that could be printed out or downloaded to a personal computer. The new, streamlined version is available online for the first time as part of My Next Move.
Users can also search for jobs in three categories: careers with a “bright outlook” in growing industries, jobs that are part of the “green” economy and occupations that have a Registered Apprenticeship program.
Each occupation that a user selects has an easy-to-read, on page profile, including information about what knowledge, skills and abilities are needed; the occupation’s outlook; the level of education required; technologies used within the occupation; and other, similar jobs. In addition, each occupation page includes direct links to local salary information, training opportunities and relevant job openings.
Be sure to check out the new site and take a look around! For more information on this new tool please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by email at eclamp@centralina.org.
|
Groundhog Sees Shadow and Hears Upbeat Economic ForecastUnion County Community Leaders Come Together to Find Out the Future
The events featured presentations from Tim Quilan, an economist with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Rick Kaglic, an economist with The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond-Charlotte Branch and Al Guarnieri, a partner with Parker Poe Adams and Bernstein, LLP. Kevin Pitts, publisher and CEO of the Charlotte Business Journal functioned as the event’s moderator. “We hope this is going to be an annual event,” Mayor Bobby Kilgore of Monroe said. “The speakers gave us a great outlook of what is coming and what things ar elooking like.” The event had a lot of participation from the community, he said.
Though there are still issues with unemployment rates, home sales and other aspects of the economy, the state and county have the potential for growth, Guarnieri said. “Companies are cautiously optimistic but they are looking to expand,” he said. Aerospace/defense, medical, advanced manufacturing, automotive and energy-renewable and efficiency are some industries expected to grow in the future, said Guarnieri. “North Carolina is very competitive when you compare it to its other competition in the southeast US,” he said. Those that attended the event said they were interested in a lot of what each speaker had to say and especially the discussion of where North Carolina and Union County stand when compared to the rest of the country. “I feel like we’re in a good place,” Anna Dahl, a sales manager for Best Western Inn and Suites, said. “It seems like we’re slow and steadily moving forward.” Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region! |
People
learned that some aspects of the economy are getting better
as they enjoyed lunch at the Inaugural Groundhog Day Economic
Forecast luncheon held on Wednesday February 2 at the Historic
Armory in Monroe. The luncheon was sponsored by the 
“Suzanne
Wallace, the new director of the Small Business Center
at Mitchell Community College, was familiar with a program
similar to the one we’re instituting, and after learning
more, we elected to make it countywide, promoting leadership
and the success of small businesses,” said Karen
Shore, president and CEO of the 
A
new Rowan county company plans to create 45 jobs and spend
about $2 million to reclaim large-equipment tires and return
them to their component ingredients.
Buhr
and partner Bradley Ragan, vice president
and chief operations officer at 
The
Blum
Currently,
these hinges are manufactured at one of its facilities in
Austria. Over the next few months, Blum will be bringing the
assembly of those hinges to its Lincoln County plant.
A
scrappy lip balm manufacturer in Rockwell (Rowan County) that
narrowly avoided closing in 2008 has doubled its workforce
and plans an expansion that could generate up to 50 jobs,
the owners say.U.S. Rep. Howard Coble, on right, watches FillTech USA employees in Rockwell make lip balm Thursday during a tour led by CEO Dennis Jones. |
FillTech USA in Rockwell manufacturers lip balm and has doubled its workforce since 2008. |
Iredell County Employer Announces Creation of 225 Jobs!
JC Penney’s Distribution Center in Statesville to Get Larger
J.C.
Penney Co. Inc’s corporate reshuffling
is bringing an extra 225 jobs to its Statesville distribution
center. The added jobs boost employment there to 350.
That same reorganization meant the Plano, Texas-based retailer will kill its catalog and close underperforming stores.
The Statesville center, located at 1634 Statesville Road, benefits from the closing of the Sacramento, Calif., custom decorating fabrication facility. Some of those jobs will be relocated to Statesville. Timing for the additional jobs in Iredell County wasn’t disclosed.
Myron Ullman III, Penney’s chairman and chief executive, says the idea of the reorganization is to “improve margins and drive profitable sales over the long term.”
The company estimates will save up to $30 million with the changes.
Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!
Reaching Out to a New Market for the Future
Duke Energy Unveils Plans for Possible Lincoln County Data Center
Duke Energy and McCallum Sweeny Consulting completed a site readiness study for a data center site in Lincoln County. The Green Gateway Site offers over 65 acres that can be divided and has access to a 100kV line as well as water and sewer. The site is located off Highway 321 connecting to I-40 and I-85.
North Carolina has become a center of attraction for data center companies, even more so in the Charlotte NC region with Google, Apple and Facebook all locating in the area. The Green Gateway Data Center Site now allows Lincoln County to be considered as a prime location.
“By
marketing the Green Gateway Data Center Site to site selectors,
NC Department of Commerce and the Charlotte Regional Partnership,
we have had the interest of several data center companies
who have entertained the site as a potential location for
their company; we hope this in turn will generate even more
traffic as the word spreads,” said Crystal Gettys,
Business Development Manager for Lincoln
Economic Development Association (LEDA) and Lincoln
County JobLink Career Center Management Team
member.
Randy Broom, PE, Broome Consulting & Development, LLC said that: “Lincoln County took an aggressive approach to identify this property as a potential data center site. After detailed evaluations, we believe it has all the major criteria that a large data center would need, we feel this is a great site.”
“I was very pleased to hear that the LEDA staff and the property owners have developed a potential data center site that received such a strong rating in this initial review. I look forward to LEDA working with Duke Energy and the State Department of Commerce to successfully bring a data center to Lincoln County,” said Lincoln County Commissioner and Centralina Workforce Development Board Consortium Member George Arena.
Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!
Businesses are Now Cleared for Taking Off
Rowan County Airport Looks at Extending Runways
Extending the runway at the Rowan County Airport in Salisbury by 1,000 feet would improve one of the county’s most valuable economic development tools, officials say.
A
6,500-foot runway would allow nonstop flights to the West
Coast to take off from the airport, as well as improve service
for corporate customers like Food Lion, said
Thad Howell, airport director.
“Runway expansion is very important to attract new customers but also take care of ones who are there right now,” Howell said at the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce’s Friday February 4, 2011 Forum.
A longer runway would allow planes to take off with a full tank of fuel and lift most of the take-off restrictions Food Lion faces with the current 5,500-foot length, Howell said. If the runway has slush or standing water, Food Lion’s pilot must reduce his load or even cancel his flight, Howell said.
At 6,500 feet, the runway could serve nearly all general aviation aircraft, including NASCAR teams.
The
total cost of the runway extension, as calculated in 2008,
is $22.4 million. That includes land acquisitions and rerouting
Airport Road.
The extension must go south due to unsuitable topography at the north end of the runway, Howell said.
State funds could cover up to 90 percent of the cost with a 10 percent local match, said Rick Barkes, deputy director for the N.C. Department of Transportation Aviation Division.
The new N.C. Mobility Fund, which is paying for most of the Yadkin River Bridge replacement, may be available in about five years to help with local airport expansions, Barkes said.
No
federal stimulus dollars remain to contribute to the local
match. But Robert Van Geons, executive director
for RowanWorks
Economic Development, said local stakeholders
could pursue other federal appropriations.
N.C. Representative Harry Warren (R-Rowan) attended the meeting and expressed interest in the project.
Howell said he would like to see the runway extended in the next five to seven years.
The airport, which hosts about 100 planes with a property tax value of $35.3 million, has become a critical recruitment tool, Barkes said.
“CEOs and presidents of companies are not coming to your community on bus or rail,” he said. “They are coming in by air. You have one chance to make a first impression.”
Barks said Rowan County is poised for growth, and the runway extension will make the airport more competitive. The N.C. Department of Commerce has several companies looking at communities across the state, including Rowan.
“You compete very well,” he said. “A lot of communities don’t make the list at all.”
In the past 18 months, Van Geons said three substantial prospects have flown into the Rowan County Airport to consider the site for development.
“For a down economy, that’s a pretty good number,” he said.
Another
potential customer is interested in basing two aircrafts in
Rowan County, Howell said. The county would have to build
another hangar, since current facilities are occupied, but
two aircrafts worth at least $1 million each would add to
the tax base, he said.
If Rowan could lure another corporate jet, it would be comparable in ad valorem taxes to adding 100 houses, Barkes said.
The airport has nine corporate hangars and all are occupied, Howell said, including Shoe Show, Food Lion and Chartco. One of 72 regular hangars is vacant, he said.
Cheaper fuel and no commercial fees attract pilots and companies to the Rowan County Airport, where new technology allows pilots to land in weather conditions as poor as a 200-foot cloud ceiling with half-mile visibility, Howell said.
Howell said he expects significant air traffic at the airport during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte in September 2012.
He asked business leaders and elected officials at the forum to realize the airport’s role in economic development in Rowan County.
Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!
More Proof of Our Great Workforce!
NC Climbs to Number 13 in New State Technology Index
Bolstered by growth in the tech sector, measured improvements in its workforce and in technology concentration as well as a commitment to technology, North Carolina vaulted five spots to 13th in the new State Technology and Science Index from the Milken Institute.
The state's venture capital and private equity investors as well as entrepreneurs produced North Carolina's best ranking – eighth – in the myriad of criteria used to form the index. That's the same as in 2008 and a spot lower than 2004 but far better than the 13th ranking in 2002.
The overall ranking is the best for North Carolina since the index launched eight years ago. In the first report, the state ranked 17th. It fell to 20th in 2004 then rose in 2008 to 18th.
Two recent pieces of data from other sources lend credence to the Milken Institute's index about NC despite the state's unemployment remaining above the national average:
- The latest technology job survey from the North Carolina Technology Association shows that the state's IT job ranks actually increased last year.
- Data released Friday from the National Venture Capital Association showed North Carolina's venture investing surging to $456 million last year from $289 million the previous year.
The
California-based think tank's composite scoring system showed
North Carolina improved most in technology and science workforce
(15th from 21st in 2008) and in what it calls "technology
concentration and dynamism" (11th from 22nd). Dynamism
refers to state and regional leaders' commitment to growing
technology.
"Contributing factors were gains in start-up rates, individual firm growth rates, and number of high-tech sectors growing faster than the U.S. average, where North Carolina ranked first," the report says.
"Growth in life sciences and software occupations were strong contributors to technology and science workforce gains," it adds.
The report also noted Governor Bev Perdue's North Carolina Innovation Council, which includes private sector leaders and entrepreneurs, as a factor in the state's commitment to the tech sector.
The index ranks states on five major criteria:
- Human Capital Investment
- Research and Development Inputs
- Risk Capital and Entrepreneurial Infrastructure
- Technology and Science Work Force
- Technology Concentration and Dynamism
"States that got a head start on building their tech and science assets prior to the economic downturn now have healthier, more diversified economic growth engines,” said Ross DeVol, executive director of economic research at the Milken Institute who was the lead author of the report. “Looking into the subcomponents of the index, we see that competition is growing, however, as states vie for high-tech investment and human capital not just from other states but from around the world.”
Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!
Want Your Business to Grow? Then, Let Us Know!
Tomplete the Centralina WDB Employer Survey
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.
For more information on Centralina region JobLink Career Centers, click here.
Commitment to workforce excellence
Get It Right the First Time!
Data Validation Training Held for Centralina WDB WIA Contractors
The Centralina Workforce Development Board recently partnered with Martha Cranford, NC Department of Commerce-Division of Workforce Development Performance and Data Validation Specialist to offer Data Validation training to Workforce Investment Act (WIA) staff members from several agencies under contract with the Centralina WDB. The training was held on Wednesday February 23 at Stanly Community College Crutchfield Campus in Locust and on Thursday February 24 at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Salisbury. A total of 62 WIA staff and JobLink Career Center managers attended the sessions.
With
over 30 years of experience, Martha Cranford instructed WIA specialists
on the correct ways to document WIA participant activities and performance
outcomes. Martha stressed the fact that having correct Exit dates
and knowing what a service is can be vital to making or breaking
a data validation review. After WIA specialists had the opportunity
to read through several case notes they found it very confusing
as to what the correct Exit date was and realized how difficult
it could be as a data validator to determine the Exit date. WIA
specialists are now more aware of how detailed a case note should
be due to Martha’s informative data validation training along
with Case Management note training provided for WIA staff in December
2010.
The sixty-two people that attended the Data Validation training found the sessions to be very helpful and effective and plan on putting their newfound lessons into practice. With the upcoming PY2010 monitoring visit from the NC Division of Workforce Development, the WIA Specialists look forward to learning from the mistakes of the past and ensuring that in the future their data validation folders are perfect.
Special thanks to Centralina WDB Program Operations Manager Patricia White and WDB Accountability Specialist Michelle McNulty for arranging the training. Patricia and Michelle will be following up with all Centralina WDB WIA contractors during March and April to ensure that the best practices learned during these training sessions are being put into action!
For more information on the Workforce Investment Act program and the services offered, please contact Patricia White at (704) 348-2718 or pwhite@centralina.org, Michelle McNulty at (704) 348-2719 or mmculty@centralina.org, or visit your local JobLink Career Center.
Centralina Workforce Development Board Has Training Money to Help Your Business!
Incumbent Worker Funds Now Available
The
Incumbent Workforce Development training is designed to upgrade
employees' skills and increase companies' competitiveness in the
global marketplace.
This is the last round for funding for year 2010 and will close on Friday May 20, 2011. 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 preparing two upcoming Incumbent Workforce Development Program grant application workshops that will be held in April. They are open to anyone interested in applying for the grant and it will give them a chance to ask questions and get help one-on-one from Vail.
The first workshop will be held on Friday April 8, 2011 at Stanly Community College at their Crutchfield Campus in Locust. The workshop will begin at 9:30 AM with an orientation followed by details on completing competitive applications. All activities will conclude by 12:00 PM. If you want to attend this extremely helpful workshop please contact Vail Carter directly at (704) 348-2710 or by email at vcarter@centralina.org.
The second workshop will be held on Monday April 15, 2011 at Mitchell Community College in Mooresville in room 130. The workshop will begin at 9:30 AM with an orientation followed by details on completing competitive applications. All activities will conclude by 12:00 PM. If you want to attend this extremely helpful workshop please contact Vail Carter directly at (704) 348-2710 or by email 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 May 20, 2011. So don’t delay, submit your application today.
Change in Mailing AddressEffective December 31,
2010, the Centralina Workforce Development Board closed the
post office box recently in use by the organization. Phone
and FAX numbers and Please make a note of our NEW mailing address: Centralina Workforce
Development Board |
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is in YOUR Community!
During the month of February 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 Annual Youth Services Summit, the Union County Groundhog Day Economic Summit, WIA Data Validation training sessions, and here are some the activities of the Board members and WDB staff for February:
Centralina Workforce Development Board meeting -
held on Tuesday February 15 at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s
Biotechnology Building on the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis.
The Board had the opportunity to hear an exciting presentation from
Chuck Allen, US Airways Director of Government & Community Relations.
Chuck detailed the airlines growth in the region and the importance
of the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport to the region’s
business development. Moving from a $2 billion loss in 2008 to a
profit in 2010 with better customer service and a more efficient
structure showed how US Airways is well positioned in the region
to outperform its competitors. The Board approved the use of a new
Business & Economic Outlook survey and the use of a Business
Comfort index. Plans were finalized for the Board’s annual
strategic planning retreat scheduled for March 24-25, 2011. Committee
updates were presented. The Board received information on the Youth
Council summit (scheduled for February 25), approved the submission
of 2 Incumbent Worker grant applications, and reviewed WIA monitoring
outcomes and training success stories. Quarterly JobLink reports
were also presented as well as the latest labor market information
for the region. Information on regional initiatives and updates
on other key workforce issues were
also provided.
Centralina WDB JobLink Career Center Managers meeting – held on Tuesday February 15 at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Biotechnology Building on the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis. Keri Allman from Rowan-Cabarrus CC’s R3 Center discussed Rapid Response delivery. Meeting was conducted by Janet Hudson, Centralina WDB vice-chair and staffed by Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars and WDB Business Services Coordinator Vail Carter.
Iredell County Business Plan Competition – planning meeting – held on Tuesday February 8 at Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce in Mooresville. Centralina WDB Youth Program Specialist Natasha Pender is representing the Board and serving on the planning committee to help new entrepreneurs. Competition is being sponsored by Mooresville and Statesville chambers of commerce, Mitchell CC, Mountain State University, and NC Small Business Technology & Development Center.
Union County JobReady Partnership meeting – held on Thursday February 17 at Carolinas Medical Center-Union in Monroe. Centralina WDB Youth Program Specialist Natasha Pender attended this meeting.
Union County Transition Fair planning meeting – held on Monday February 21 in Monroe. Centralina WDB Youth Program Specialist Natasha Pender participated in this meeting to prepare for the event in May where the Centralina WDB is a sponsor.
Monroe Economic Development Commission meeting - held on Thursday February 24 at the Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport in Monroe. Centralina WDB Business Services Coordinator Vail Carter attended this meeting and presented information on the Incumbent Worker program and the Board’s participation with the EDC on the local E3 initiative.
Energy Careers for a Bright Future Planning for K-12 meeting – held on Wednesday February 23 at CPCC – Harris Campus. Natasha Pender, Centralina WDB Youth Programs Specialist participated. Participants discussed how to engage regional Career & Technical Education coordinators from middle and high schools in the planning of an Energy Careers event that will expose youth to careers in the energy field.
NC Department of Public Career and Technical Education Administrative Internship Program conference – held on Thursday February 24 in Winston-Salem. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director served as a panelist at the conference and provided insight on the Centralina WDB’s partnerships local career and technical education programs in local school systems and the community.
NC Workforce Development Partnership Conference Planning committee meeting – held on Tuesday February 22 in Raleigh. Centralina WDB Youth Program Specialist Natasha Pender participated in this meeting to develop agenda, topics, and speakers for the annual conference to be held in October in Greensboro.
NC Workforce Development Training Center Board meeting – held on Wednesday February 23 at the NC Workforce Development 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.
United Way of the Central Carolinas – Community Assessment meetings – held on February 1 and 15 at United Way offices. United Way of Central Carolinas and the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute teamed up to conduct a comprehensive, five-county needs assessment. This study is broader than any assessment previously undertaken in our region. The group has completed gathering statistical data, reviewing a wealth of existing and current studies and conducting a survey of agencies. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars was invited as an expert to serve on a panel to examine all of the data from the assessment and to recommend key areas of focus for United Way and our community. He is serving on the Crisis, Housing & Stability Expert Panel. Information from this group should be released in March.
Charlotte Regional Economic & Workforce Recovery Initiative Team meeting – held on Wednesday February 2 at CPCC Harris Conference Center. This group is implementing plans and strategies to address the current and anticipated layoffs from the financial service sector businesses in the Charlotte region, as requested by Governor Beverly Perdue. Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative participated in this meeting and provided an update on specific solutions for the faith-based/community-based connections.
National Association of Workforce Boards conference – held on February 5-8 in Washington, DC. Centralina WDB Chairman Bob VanGorden, WDB Vice-Chair Janet Hudson, and David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director, participated in this conference. Over 1,700 workforce professionals and board members from around the nation attended this event.
WorkforcePlus Training session – held on Thursday February 10 at Mitchell Community College in Mooresville. Conducted by Centralina WDB Program Operations Manager Patricia White and WDB Accountability Specialist Michelle McNulty, this intensive training session was provided to 46 Workforce Investment Act (WIA) staff members and supervisors.
Workforce Business Development and Assistance – provided by Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative for the following area companies:
- Business development meeting with Ms. Christine Sutton, Owner of Selectronics, Inc. to discuss workforce training needs for their company in Wadesboro (Anson County) – February 3
- Business development meeting with Mr. Leon Gatewood, Director of HOLLA to discuss logistics of opening a new SHARE Network site in Morven (Anson County) – February 3
- Business development meeting with Mrs. Kim Wilson at the Anson County Partnership for Children to discuss application process and contracting requirements for Incumbent Workforce Development Program in Wadesboro (Anson County) – February 3
- Business development meeting with Craig Chamberlain, Career Service Counselor with Mooresville Christian Mission to discuss SHARE Network in Mooresville (Iredell County) – February 7
- Business development meeting with Dr. Cheryl Nicholas, Director of Innervision, Inc. to discuss SHARE Network program in Charlotte – February 8
- Participated in business development luncheon meeting (along with David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director) hosted by Debra Kline, President of Business Wise in Charlotte – February 9
- Represented Centralina WDB and participated in meeting of the CPCC Business Roundtable in Charlotte – February 10
- Conducted mid-term monitoring of Incumbent Workforce Development Program Contract at Steele Rubber Company in Denver (Lincoln County) – February 11
- Conducted mid-term monitoring of Incumbent Workforce Development Program Contract at CF Glass in Mooresville (Iredell County) – February 14
- Business development meeting with Ms. Beth Weibly, Administrative Assistant with Hexpol Compounding to discuss Incumbent Workforce Development Program application completion in Statesville (Iredell County ) – February 14
- Business development meeting with Shelton Moore, Family Support Services Director at I-Care, Inc. to discuss installation of JobLink card reader and monitor for SHARE Network Access Point in Statesville (Iredell County) – February 14
- Business development meeting with Centurion Medical to discuss Incumbent Workforce Development Program application process and contracting requirements with Paula Klutz in Salisbury (Rowan County) – February 15
- Participated in WDB Business Services Representatives statewide meeting at the N.C. Workforce Development Training Center in Raleigh – February 16
- Represented Centralina WDB and participated in an Education Focus Group hosted by the Charlotte Regional Partnership to assist in updating their local strategic plan and for development of new potential target sectors – February 23
- Delivered Job search support materials to Hawthorne United Methodist Church in Charlotte for SHARE network – February 24
- Delivered materials to the Concord Job Connection SHARE Network site and inspected the JobLink card reader equipment that has been installed in Concord (Cabarrus County) – February 25
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
Honors and Awards for Community Leaders
Stanly County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting
The Stanly County Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting on Wednesday January 26, 2011, in a room crowded with elected officials, business leaders and members of the community from throughout the county.
During the course of the evening, the chamber honored its past and future chairs and gave top awards to a business, a community leader and one of its own volunteers.
The gavel was handed to incoming Chair Dr. Connie Eckman by outgoing Chair, Todd Swaringen. In her remarks, Eckman praised Swaringen for his commitment and fearless leadership in 2010.
RE/MAX Town and Country was named 2010 Small Business of the Year. Established in 2006 by Lee and Mary Burt Allen, the real estate brokerage firm has grown from two broker/owners to five real estate brokers and one full time employee.
Sherrill Smith received the Citizen of the Year Award. He is the co-owner and president of S&D Construction Company, Inc. Smith served three terms on the Stanly County Board of Commissioners and as chairman of both the Stanly County Democratic Party and the Stanly County Economic Development Commission. He has served on numerous boards and committees, a past chair and board member of the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce, and served as Stanly County representative to the Centralina Council of Governments.
The Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Denise Trotter of Bayada Nurses by 2009 winner Joy Almond.
Keynote speaker for the evening was recently appointed President of Pfeiffer University, Michael C. Miller.
“I applaud the Stanly Chamber for what it does,” he said. “The entire community benefits from its strength.” He stressed the importance of the university’s partnerships with the chamber, Stanly County businesses, county schools and Stanly Community College. “The chamber is how to form partnerships, how to marshal resources. It is how you can actually get things done.”
“I was extremely proud of this year’s annual meeting,” said Chamber President and CEO and Centralina Workforce Development Board member, Tom Ramseur. “We had a capacity crowd of members, elected officials and friends as we recognized our accomplishments for the year and gave these important awards.”
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a strong partner with the Stanly Chamber of Commerce and congratulates them on a successful event! For more information on this annual meeting or on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org.
President of Pfeiffer University, Michael Miller was the Keynote speaker for the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. |
NC Research Campus Update
Find Out What’s the Latest with this World Renowned Biotech Development
NC Research Campus Gaining Grants
UNC System scientists at the N.C.
Research Campus have attracted nearly $26 million in
research funding since the Kannapolis biotech hub opened in 2008.
That influx of research dollars could position the UNC System as a key player in efforts to advance economic development at the Kannapolis campus, says Steve Leath, UNC System vice president for research.
“This has exceeded expectations,” he says. “We’ve gotten more than we hoped for.”
The 350-acre life-science hub is focused on health, nutrition and agriculture.
Grant funding adds prestige to the campus, while helping expand research efforts. That, in turn, provides an opportunity to create spinoff companies, he adds. “I think we’re going to have to lead a little bit until the economy comes back,” Leath says.
UNC scientists in Kannapolis have been awarded nearly 60 grants and outside research contracts. The bulk of that money comes from federal sources such as the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Another $22.8 million in applications are pending.
“It busts the myth that the N.C. Research campus is just getting started,” says Marjorie Benbow, director of the N.C. Biotechnology Center’s greater Charlotte office. “To me, this is actually hitting some significant milestones.”
Leath says the university system compiled an internal report last fall to increase awareness of resources invested in the research campus. Seven universities in the UNC System have a presence on the Kannapolis campus.
About 130 full-time employees, including 22 faculty members, are located at the campus. Hiring is ongoing for 10 additional faculty members.
The UNC System expects 55 faculty members at build-out. Leath says hiring remains a top priority as state funding increases. “I think (people are) not aware, that with limited faculty, we’re already doing so well,” Leath says. “It further shows how well the state money can be leveraged.”
He says annual research funding per scientist of more than $200,000 is considered “very good.” The average over the three-year period at the Kannapolis campus is more than $1 million per scientist.
Leath says that reflects the cooperative nature among the universities, as well as access to top-notch facilities. But progress at the Kannapolis campus has been slower than anticipated because of delays in state funding and a faltering economy.
North Carolina committed $23.5 million to the research campus for the fiscal year, which began on July 1. That’s well below the $29.5 million that campus officials expect annually when the campus reaches is complete. More companies have cut back on research and development and delayed expansion plans. But there is growing momentum surrounding the public-private partnership.
Campus developer Castle & Cooke North Carolina announced a few big-name tenants within the last year, including agricultural-technology giant Monsanto Co. and General Mills Inc.
Benbow says increased funding from grants and collaboration could translate into economic opportunity in the form of spinoff companies, additional collaboration possibilities or new tenants locating at the campus to work with the scientific talent.
Research will play a key role in advancing the region’s growing biotech industry, she adds.
“The economic impact is going to be significant,” says Clyde Higgs, vice president of business development for campus developer Castle & Cooke North Carolina. He says collaboration is critical to securing additional grants from federal and industry partners.
New farm business manager position in Kannapolis
N.C. MarketReady, based at the N.C. Research Campus,
has created a farm and agribusiness management position to develop
and sustain programs that help agricultural producers explore efficient
economic options and optimize profits for their farming operations.
Jonathan Baros joins the N.C. Market Ready team — the Cooperative Extension outreach arm of North Carolina State University’s Plants for Human Health Institute - to work with Extension personnel and other organizations to address farmers’ economic needs. He is also a faculty member of the N.C. State Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
“The goal of N.C. MarketReady is to make North Carolina agriculture more profitable,” said Rod Gurganus, N.C. MarketReady director. “The addition of Jonathan, with his expertise in farm business management, will enhance our efforts as we develop resources for agricultural producers and Extension agents across the state.”
Baros’ focus will be working with fruit and vegetable producers. He is charged with evaluating economic components involved in compliance with food safety rules; examining economic options for initiating cooling and postharvest handling programs in fruits and vegetables; assessing value-added and alternative enterprise opportunities.
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.
About 130 full-time employees, including 22 UNC System faculty members, are now located at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis. |
READ SIMILAR NEWS
Education, Training, and Fun = Green CareerI-CARE Hosts Weatherization Event for Local TeensI-CARE, in partnership with Huntersville-based company Sheercom LLC, is currently hosting a program aimed at giving participants the skills necessary for opportunities in the construction and weatherization business.
“We want to make sure the skills our people receive are transferrable,” said Jacqueline Patterson, Sheercom LLC owner. During a recent class, nine participants from the Centralina WDB funded Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program and from Community Service Block Grant used props to test for possible air leaks that could be found in a home. Randell Davis, 20, of Lincolnton, said he wants to gain more experience in the field. “Hopefully this will help me get a job out there somewhere,” he said. Participants did hands-on work with professionals from Asheville-based company Go Green Construction.
The participants spent the first week of class learning technical terms of weatherization, energy auditing, green construction and more. The next week, the group performed diagnostic tests and a “blower door” test to find leaks in a home. I-Care, Inc. Family Support Services Director Shelton Moore (also an Iredell County JobLink Management Team member) said they want to give participants an opportunity to receive the certifications to “give these men an opportunity to be more competitive in the job market.” After completing the program participants will receive Building Performance Institute certification as well as weatherization certification. This is the first time I-CARE has offered the program. “We hope we can offer this again in the fall,” Moore said. Participants were chosen based on their aspirations or desire to work in the field of green construction or weatherization. Tyrell Bennett, 20, said the certifications will help him achieve his goals. “I want to go to college and get a degree and hopefully this will help me get one,” he said. The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina WDB Youth Council are proud partners with I-CARE and is excited to see partners connecting youth to future careers. Funding for the WIA Youth served was provided by Special Grant funds made available by the Centralina WDB. For more information on I-Care, Inc., the WIA program, or the Centralina WDB Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or npender@centralina.org. |
The
three-week program gives those participants a basic knowledge
of home systems. After completion participants will be trained
in a cross-section of areas and will be equipped to apply
for related jobs.
On
Thursday March 31, 2011, the 
This
Summit is an additional venue designed to link education and
the world of work. It allows the Mooresville Graded School
District the opportunity to partner with area businesses in
an effort to increase work-based experiences for students.
Cabarrus
County Schools
As
one of their activities, students walked around the Hall of
Fame to find information about the different speedways highlighted
in the exhibits. On their worksheets, students recorded the
name, surface, length, location and other facts about three
speedways.
The
program, which began earlier this semester in the MGSD, allows
high schoolers to become competent in two computer platforms
– Macintosh via the laptops, Microsoft via the new course.
This, said N.F. Woods business education teacher Robyn
Justice, will help students better prepare themselves
for the future.
Only
a few days into the new course, Justice's students –
split into two class sections, which span all high school
grade levels – seem just as eager to gain software knowledge
and earn certification.
The award-winning entries were produced by, from left, UCPS Chief Communications Officer Luan Ingram, UCPS Communications Coordinator Deb Coates Bledsoe, UCPS Visual Communications Coordinator Arthur Rogers and UCPS Web Communications Coordinator Don Mace. |
STEMming in the Right Direction
Rowan-Salisbury School System Gets More Youth Involved with STEM
Future Rowan-Salisbury School System graduates will have “more choices in life” thanks to STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Lisa Wear, director of Horizons Unlimited, said Monday. But for now, Wear said the pipeline of graduates of STEM graduates is leaky.
“It is leaky for many reason,” she said. “Graduates are not prepared for college or not prepared for the workforce. “We would like to work together to stop those leaks and make sure that we have the types of students that are prepared for jobs in the future.”
Wear said the school system is facing a “critical talent gap” in the area of STEM, but a team has been created to brainstorm about strengths and weakness and share ideas.
The design team consists of educators from the Rowan-Salisbury School System, Cabarrus County Schools, Kannapolis City Schools as well as a variety of other key players.
“The
North Carolina STEM
Community Collaborative is made up of a group
of dynamic leaders that have come together from business,
education, economic development and government to ensure that
all students are career and college ready,” Wear said.
Bryce Beard, a member of the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education, said he thinks the STEM initiatives being undertaken by the school system are “very relevant.” The game of life is really about competition in school,” he said. Though the school district is looking for ways to add more STEM programs in classrooms, some have already taken off, Wear said.
The 21st century classroom program provides a digital learning environment to promote knowledge and skills students will need to compete in future the future workplace.
Horizons Unlimited provides STEM education for students in first through eighth grades, building accelerated performance for college readiness.
Wear
said data shows that students are only receiving an average
of two hours of science education each week. “We would
like to integrate science into language arts and into mathematics,”
she said. “STEM education is really the integration
of curriculum.”
All eighth-graders can receive intensive training through Biotechnology Career Academies hosted at Horizons.
“We want to ingrain a sense of future in our students that these types of opportunities are critical at the middle school level to catch them early before they begin making decisions about high school coursework,” Wear said.
Wear said the Mathematics and Science Partnership grant program will also provide professional development for kindergarten through eighth-grade teachers, with the focus on physical science content. The nearly $950,000 grant will be distributed over a three-year period.
The first round of professional development will begin in June with the Summer STEM Institute. Wear said the institute will be open to 54 teachers who will be selected through an application process.
“Our partners are Catawba College and the North Carolina Research Campus,” she said. “We are very excited about the opportunity to have our teachers work and build partnerships between these organizations.”
The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina WDB Youth Council are great partners with the Rowan-Salisbury School System and thanks them for helping our youth be competitive with their skills! A well prepared youth leads to a well prepared workforce! If you have questions about the Centralina WDB Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at 704-348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.
Contact: Natasha Pender at
704.348.2725 or npender@centralina.org
What's Happening in the Region?
Comings, Goings, Kudos…
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Dr.
Joseph Oxendine has been selected as the interim
president for Catawba College by the
College’s Board of Trustees. He is a 1952 alumnus
of Catawba and a member of the Board of Trustees and will
be the interim president effective Tuesday March 15, 2011.
Bobby
Stewart has been named the Vice-President for
Advancement at Pfeiffer University. He
is the first executive appointment made by the new president
of the university, Michael C. Miller.
Dr.
Michael Luther, President of the David
H. Murdock Research Institute and a native of
Albemarle, is the newest member of the Cabarrus
College of Health Sciences Governing Board. Luther
replaces Dr. Scott Baker, who retired from the board after
having served the college for nine years. 
State
Representative (and former Centralina WDB member) Justin
Burr (R-Stanly County) made history this month
becoming the youngest person to ever preside over the
NC House of Representatives. Justin now
becomes one of only a handful of Republicans to preside
over the House since the late 1800s. Congratulations Justin!
• Centralina Workforce Development
Board meeting • Centralina WDB Youth Council meeting • 23rd Annual Central Piedmont Community
College (CPCC) Career Fair • Rowan-Salisbury School System BizEd
Connect meeting • Southeastern Employment & Training
Association (SETA)/NC Employment & Training Association
(NCETA) – Joint Spring Conference • Charlotte Region Workforce Development
Partnership meeting
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 • Coaching Your Clients • Make A Note of It! • O*NET • Social Media for Job Seekers Boot
Camp • TABE • Converting Conflict and Diversity
Into Positive Power • Acting Out or Just Acting Up? Understanding
& Managing Problems with Challenging Youth • Delivering Excellent Customer Service |
| 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. |