Dr. Gary Uremovich discusses the programs available at Wingate University.

Members of the Partnership break into their committees and discuss goals.

Building for the Future

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Dedicates New Learning Facility

The first new classroom building to open at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s (RCCC) campus in Salisbury in more than 30 years was officially dedicated Monday June 28, 2010. Building 400 was opened with a ceremony attended by local leaders, public safety workers and RCCC faculty and staff. It will house continuing education programs and facilities for law enforcement, firefighting and nursing training. Centralina Workforce Development Board Executive Director David Hollars participated in this historic ceremony.

RCCC President Carol Spalding called the new building the culmination of years of planning.

"Dreams and dedication are a mighty combination, and both are certainly represented here today,“ Spalding said in her address.

She said Building 400 is a commitment not just to growth, but to ”green“ jobs and renewal of the job market in Rowan and Cabarrus counties. Spalding said that community colleges are ”the state’s emergency room“ when economic crises hit.

And she thanked voters for approving the bond referendum in 2000 that allocated $5.2 million for construction, alongside about $3.7 million from Rowan County taxpayers.

Building 400’s commitment to public safety training was illustrated with fire trucks and emergency equipment on display, and a U.S. flag displayed on the Salisbury Fire Department’s ladder truck. A color guard of public safety personnel presented the colors before the national anthem was sung.

Speaking for the Rowan County Commissioners, Vice Chairman Chad Mitchell said that Building 400 shows an understanding of the changes coming to this county. ”Growth on this campus is a fantastic thing for Rowan County,“ Mitchell said.

And he said that just as July Fourth represents our nation’s independence, ”RCCC and this building represent independence from unemployment.“ ”I pledge my support that it won’t take another 30 years to construct another new building at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College,“ Mitchell said.

Representatives from local agencies also spoke to the need for the new facility.

Building 400 replaces an aging classroom building that had previously been used as storage.

In his remarks at the ceremony, interim Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten said the opening of the building is ”a new beginning“ for law enforcement training at RCCC.

Salisbury Fire Chief Robert Parnell called the new home of firefighter training classes ”the result of hard work and dedication to the emergency response community.“

The 39,000-square-foot building is also the first RCCC facility to be certified for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Bill Hughes, principal architect with YCH Architects of Concord, said this was the first of many LEED-certified structures he expects to help build in the area. ”The design is not terribly difficult,“ Hughes said.

The building uses environmentally-friendly materials and construction techniques to save energy and reduce waste.

The ceremony was followed by an open house where visitors could see the new classrooms, the holding cell for detention training and the room where officers will have weight training and self-defense classes.

Jeanie Moore, RCCC’s Vice-President for continuing education programs, moved into Building 400 with her staff two weeks before the ceremony. She said the new building sets the bar high for future construction and renovation of the college’s existing facilities.

”We have a new central area where we can cultivate relationships with the people we serve,“ Moore said.

Lisa Lancaster, special assistant to academic programs, said the new building will help relieve the crowded conditions at the North Campus.

”We have been short on classroom space,“ Lancaster said. She, like other faculty and staff, said they were delighted with the new building.

Spencer Rummage, director of law enforcement training programs, said the new building was a long-awaited addition to the campus. Now, Rummage said, ”We don’t have to go anywhere else to do subject control and arrest techniques.“

And Moore said there is plenty of room for supply storage and a variety of uses of the new classroom spaces.

When asked following the ceremony what would be next on the college’s horizon, Spalding pointed to new facilities at the North Carolina Research Campus and a renovated radiology lab. Both are set to open in the coming months. Also, Spalding said the college has to be ready to meet the employment and training needs of the community.

”We’re meeting this summer to discuss a bond issue proposal,“ Spalding said. ”We’ve got a lot of things that haven’t happened in a long time.“

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and is proud to see them growing and expanding to serve the community. For more information on the new building or the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.

Allied Health Career Camp participants practice on SimMan in the Respiratory Lab at SCC.

SCC nursing students explain the assessment techniques for listening to infant heart and lung sounds using SimBaby.

Tell Us More

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

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

National Recognition for Albemarle Facility

Stanly Regional Medical Center Named 5-Star Customer Service Hospital

Stanly Regional Medical Center located in Albemarle, NC was recently named as a 2010 5-Star Customer Service Hospital for its inpatient rehabilitation unit by Professional Research Consultants (PRC). PRC is a nationally known healthcare marketing research company headquartered in Omaha, Neb.

This designation is given annually to hospitals that score in the top 10 percent of all inpatient rehabilitation units across the nation as part of PRC’s database. 5-Star awards are based on the percentage of patients who rate the unite “excellent” for the for the Overall Quality of Care question.

Patients from across the region trust this 10-bed unit to provide short-term therapy to hospitalized patients recovering from stroke, trauma, neurological disorders, amputations, orthopedic conditions

Sharon Efird, RN, serves as nurse manager for the unit. “We place a very high priority on customer service,” Efird said. “Many of our patients stay with us for several weeks and they become extended members of our family.”

PRC contacts a random sample of patients treated at Stanly Regional via telephone for a confidential interview to assess their satisfaction shortly after their hospital experience. The research findings are then presented to the hospital to use in continuously improving patient satisfaction.

“We are so proud of Stanly Regional and are thrilled to present them with this 5-Star Award,” said Joe M. Inguanzo, Ph.D., president and CEO of Professional Research Consultants.

“This award is proof that Stanly Regional is committed to improving healthcare. It takes years of dedication, determination and hard work to achieve this level of success. Congratulations to Stanly Regional and its staff for improving healthcare services for the communities it serves throughout Stanly and Montgomery counties.”

Stanly Regional Medical Center is an active member of the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership. We appreciate the support and guidance provided by Paul Morlock and the other members of the SRMC staff.

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

Statesville and Mooresville Ranked in Top 20 Nationally for Economic Strength

The Statesville-Mooresville area’s economy is still going strong, according to an analysis by Policom, an independent economic research firm. The Palm City, Florida based firm ranked the Statesville-Mooresville area 15th among the 576 micropolitans nationwide in terms of economic strength. The micropolitan area’s position on the list improved from 2009, when it was ranked 23rd.

Micropolitan areas are determined by population, which is usually more than 10,000 people, but less than 50,000.

According to the Policom website, the formulas are used to measure how the economy has behaved and its impact on local residents.
Mooresville-South Iredell Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Russell Rogerson said the firm used measurements from overall growth in size and quality, wages in different employment sectors and negative factors that reflect a poor economy, such as per capita income maintenance and per capita medical assistance for the poor.

He said the ranking means that the micropolitan area has a good, diverse economy.

Rogerson said the ranking is a relative measurement on how the local economy is fairing. The Statesville-Mooresville area has been affected by the economic downturn, but the presence of the motorsports industry, a diverse manufacturing base and large employers, such as Lowe’s Co. Inc, have been an asset, he said.

“Politicom’s data seems to indicate that the economic climate in the Statesville-Mooresville region has improved markedly over the past year in comparison to our peer cities,” said Greater Statesville Development Corporation Executive Director Mike Smith.

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

Airlie Park is Ready for Construction in Denver

A new industrial park near Denver got a green light from Lincoln County Commissioners on July 19, 2010 as they also took action toward bringing in the park’s potential first tenant.

Although county officials took care not to name the company directly, it is believed to be Hydac International, a German hydralics products manufacturer that was recently approved for economic incentives based on a promise to hire at least 40 employees receiving an average of no less than $800 a week.

The county has agreed to provide water and sewer service to the new Airlie Industrial Park, located on Optimist Club Road. The park would be developed under the auspices of the Lincoln Economic Development Association (LEDA).

In a 4-1 vote following a lengthy closed session to discuss the situation, commissioners also agreed to construct an access road for the “unnamed industry.”

LEDA Executive Director Barry Matherly told the Times-News that the Denver community, including the influential East Lincoln Betterment Association (ELBA), is quite supportive of the new industrial park and he doesn’t believe Klein’s caution represents a concern.

Matherly said Airlie Park will be a new type of industrial park for Lincoln County that represents a very exclusive set of covenants. Not just anyone is going to be allowed in. Polluters and other nuisances won’t be welcome. Strict regulations will govern the types of buildings that can go there.

Located near the new interstate-quality N.C. 16, the park is designed to attract companies that want convenience to Charlotte, including its nearby airport, but want to get out of the hub of the city.

He believes the location will be highly attractive to two types of businesses especially — international firms and motor-sports companies. The site would also provide easy access to the motor-sports hubs in Concord and Mooresville.

County officials said the new tenant would like to have the access road in place before the end of the year, although final commitment to the park isn’t yet in place.

Matherly said that although the company is a good prospect, he believes the real news is the park itself, which has potential to become a major employer in Lincoln County.

Hydac had previously expressed interest in the Airlie Park location and indicated it would like to begin construction on any such facility before March 2011.

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

Expansion and Job Creation in Cabarrus County

Celgard Moves Forward with Plans for 200 Jobs at Concord Facility

Celgard LLC has closed on 20 acres in the International Business Park located just off Interstate 85 in Concord for its previously announced 150,000-square-foot manufacturing plant. The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Polypore International Inc., is a leading supplier of "microporous separators" used in lithium-ion batteries. Celgard plans to begin building the plant later this year.

The plant will enable Celgard to expand its separator production capacity to support increased demand in the electric-drive vehicle market, company officials said last week in announcing the closing on the property.

Celgard's separators are also used in such products as digital cameras, laptop computers and cell phones.

The new Concord plant, plus an expansion in Charlotte will create about 200 jobs, company officials said.

The 517-acre International Business Park is beside Interstate 85 off Exit 55 in Concord. Other tenants are Owens Corning, Minka, DNP IMS America Corp., Sysco Food Service of Charlotte Inc., Pass & Seymour/Legrand, FedEx, Oiles America Corp., PreGel, Connextions and ESP Associates.

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

Economic Progress for Union County

Union County Partnership for Progress Revamps Board

Union County Partnership for Progress (UCPP), a group that contracts with Union County to grow the county’s economic base, elected a new board, one that hopes to take advantage of new roads and growing towns.

“Anything that will help bring jobs,” said Dr. John McKay, newly elected UCPP chairman; professionally, McKay works as South Piedmont Community College president.

Monroe has an established economic development department and Indian Trail hopes to start one this year, but no other towns have dedicated positions to attract industries to Union.

The board of county commissioners contracts with UCPP to market the county to prospective industries and businesses. County taxpayers paid UCPP $454,000 in 2009 and were budgeted for $583,000 in 2010, according to county information officer Brett Vines.

UCPP director Maurice Ewing said the new board takes office in a much different economic climate than the last board, which took office three years ago. While he did not anticipate any major shift in the partnership’s agenda, the new board might have to do things differently.

“In today’s business world if you stay the way you are, you are going to get left behind,” Ewing said.

McKay and UCPP vice-chairman Phil Williams, with Piedmont Natural Gas, pointed to the proposed Legacy Park in eastern Union County as the top priority. Williams said Monroe and Indian Trail have dedicated industrial or business parks, and wants the county to have the same so it can market one area to potential businesses.

The county would build the park near the proposed interchange of the Monroe Parkway and existing U.S. Highway 74 to maximize thoroughfare access.

McKay said he also wanted to further the relationship between UCPP and the local college and help area towns as much as possible.

Williams agreed. “What’s good for our towns and cities is good for the whole county,” he said.

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

"M"bracing Marketing Cohesiveness

Mooresville EDC and Chamber Come Together to Reveal New Logo

As a first step toward creating a unified, marketable identity for the town of Mooresville, two local agencies have unveiled new logos.

The Mooresville-South Iredell Economic Development Corporation (MSIEDC) and the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce recently debuted new logos featuring a stylized “M” that all town entities will eventually embrace.

Working together for more than a year, MSI Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Karen Shore said the cohesive “M” was a collaborative decision among a task force of town representatives. Although the new “M” emblem is only featured in the logos of these two agencies currently, in time it will prominently displayed on signage, town-entrance gateways and other visual markers for the town.

“If you go back and look at the old logos that all of us had…it has been somewhat of a hodge-podge of different symbols and emblems and logos,” she said. “We came together for the sake of establishing a branding, if you will, for the entire community – something that’s recognized and represents Mooresville at a glance.”

Shore noted that the Race City USA logo will continue to be utilized by the Chamber in some capacities. However, the simplified “M” theme will soon become the primary symbol.

“This whole initiative will go beyond the logo. That’s just a first step that we’re beginning to unveil,” she said, mentioning that the incorporation of the new emblem into other realms is dependent on finances. Thus, she added the process will be a slow one.

“Our changeover will have to be gradual,” said Shore. She noted that the Chamber of MSIEDC will continue using current materials, such as letterhead and business cards, featuring the old emblems until those resources have been depleted. Only then will new materials be purchased.

The Chamber, she added, plans to debut the new logo on its website in the coming weeks. The MSIEDC has already transitioned its website to feature the new emblem.

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

You Are Right Where You Need to Be

North Carolina Ranked 4th in Nation for the “America’s Top State for Business” Annual Report

Governor Bev Perdue announced CNBC has declared North Carolina as most improved among the top five states for doing business, elevating the state from 9th to 4th in its annual survey, “America’s Top States for Business.”

“This shows that the hard work of the past year has paid off – our investments in education to build the workforce of tomorrow, policies that create a more business-friendly climate and our aggressive recruiting,” said Gov. Bev Perdue.

"When I took office, I pledged to take any meeting and make any call to bring jobs to this state. There’s nothing I love more than convincing a corporate executive of what a great place this is to live and work.”

The ranking is the highest North Carolina has achieved in the four years of the survey. In 2008 and 2007, North Carolina ranked 6th and 5th, respectively.

In its rankings, CNBC scored the states on more than 40 measures of competitiveness based on the cost of doing business, workforce, quality of life, economy, transportation and infrastructure, technology and innovation, education, business friendliness, access to capital and cost of living.

CNBC released its full report at www.cnbc.com.

The announcement is the latest in a string of kudos for North Carolina. The Tar Heel state was named as the state with the top business climate by Site Selection magazine eight of the last nine years, and was ranked second best state for business by CEO Magazine.

July's Business Survey Prize Winner is ...

Each month, the Centralina Workforce Development Board holds a drawing from Business Surveys that area businesses have completed and posted on our website.

Centralina is pleased to announce that the winner of this month’s drawing is Choice Personnel, Inc. in Statesville, NC (Iredell County). Jerry Burgdofer of Choice Personnel, Inc. completed and submitted the survey. We thank Jerry for helping us with our continuous improvement feedback process!

If you haven't completed the survey, you can do so now by going to 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 email at vcarter@centralina.org.

Pepe and Emily Diaz-Llaneza listen to Dr. Amy Williford describe the egg-shaped Bod Pod, which measures body composition.

Rowan County Youth Get Lesson in Forensic Science

Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency Helps Youth to Prep for the Future

To succeed in business, you’ve got to work as part of a team, follow the right procedures and know how to use state-of-the-art tools. The same holds true in solving crimes.

That’s why Christina Brooks’ forensics workshop was a good fit for this year’s class of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Summer Youth Employment students at Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency (SRCAA). SRCAA is the WIA Youth services provider in Rowan and Cabarrus counties for the Centralina Workforce Development Board.

This month, those young people enrolled in WIA have gone to work at summer job sites around Rowan and Cabarrus counties.

The WIA students received valuable training and motivation, culminating with Brooks’ mock crime scene investigation on the grounds of Livingstone College.

Brooks, a professor at Winthrop University, is a forensic anthropologist, just like Emily Deschanel’s character Dr. Temperance Brennan on the Fox television show”Bones.“

But she said she doesn’t watch the show — it’s too unrealistic for her taste.

Forensic anthropologists work to help identify victims and causes of death in investigations.

For the presentation, Brooks helped students learn the basics of an investigation, and how to use tools for fingerprinting and collecting evidence.

She then turned the group of 25 young people loose on a mock crime scene, where a”victim“lay in a trash can with several clues to be found around her.

”You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to do this, “Brooks said.

”It’s observation and careful collection. “

Brooks helped give pointers and answered the student investigators’ questions, turning up at the right times with lab reports, an autopsy report and more.

The point of the exercise: build teamwork and help students think and work on a problem using tools they might not ordinarily use.

In addition, WIA spokesperson Almond Miller said the program is a chance to show a realistic view of science.

”The conditions aren’t always comfortable, and it’s not always as easy as it looks on TV, “Miller said.

Just the same, the work environment may be challenging, but challenges bring about rewards.

”The work may not always be easy, but it can be gratifying, “Brooks said.”People’s lives are at stake.“

The WIA students range in age from 16 to 21. Many of them are working on earning their high-school equivalency.

The program helps teach strategies for employment. This month’s other sessions included a banking and finance workshop, facts about employment law and information on a variety of careers.

WIA program director Joann Diggs said the purpose was to introduce students to many different career paths, especially the sciences and biotechnology and the opportunities available in this region.

”I’m an advocate of trade schools, “Diggs said.

She touted the programs at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and other nearby schools as a way to help develop the 21st-century workforce.

Diggs also said the chance for students to visit Livingstone was important.

”Some of these kids have never been on a college campus, “Diggs said.

The mock investigation focused on a”body“found in a trash can with some suspicious materials around it.

Students collected a bag of powder (which turned out to be”cocaine“) and investigated the scene for fingerprints and footprints.

Among other things, they found a check for $6,000 at the scene.

”What would you do with that? “ Brooks asked.

”Cash it! “one student quipped.

”What would you do with it as an investigator? “ Brooks asked.

There was a chorus of answers:

”Call the bank. “

”Investigate the people involved.“

Phoenix Nabozny, 19, is in her second year of WIA training. Her job in the mock investigation was evidence collection.

” (WIA) teaches you skills for the workplace, and how to stand out in a positive way, “Nabozny said.

Tenkamenin Crowder, 19, heard about the WIA program from a friend who’d been through it in the past.

”It gives me experience. I haven’t had a job yet, “Crowder said.

Having seen some of the career options that lay open to them, and learned the basics of tax law and worker’s compensation, those students have now gone to work at a number of local businesses and charitable organizations.

Job sites for WIA students this summer include Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Kannapolis and Salisbury, Rowan Helping Ministries and the North Carolina Research Campus.

But one student, Sarah Dunlap, 17, said the event was more than just common-sense training.

She just finished her high-school equivalency and plans to seek a degree in forensic science at Pfeiffer University.

”It gives me experience in how it actually is, and not how Hollywood portrays it to be, “Dunlap said.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are strong partners with the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency and is happy to see them educating the youth in the region on state of the art careers. For more information on the Workforce Investment Act program or on this even please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.

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Union County Students Explore Medical Careers

Carolinas Medical Center – Union Offers Summer Health Care Camp for Youth

It’s noon on a summer day and the average middle school student is either savoring their beauty sleep or jumping in a nearby pool. The eighth- and ninth-graders meeting at Carolinas Medical Center-Union are far from average.

CMC-Union hosts a free week-long program through Career Investigators Academy for twenty-two rising eighth- and ninth-graders. The program allows students to shadow nurses, doctors and other hospital staff in order to spark interest in particular health care professions and learn the do’s and don’ts of hospital life.

“I’ve learned all different types of things, like the lingo of the hospital. We get to watch how it’s all done,” Jessica Konopka said a rising ninth-grader. “It’s scary at first, but it becomes a reality.”

This month, the students preformed a skit or created a poster for parents as well as hospital staff. Their projects were based on a particular department of the hospital they were assigned to such as respiratory, day surgery or others. The projects allowed the students to participate in team-building activities and become experts in departments of the hospital they wouldn’t ordinarily have explored.

“I got to learn the lifting technique doctors use to transfer patients to beds so they don’t get hurt,” rising eighth-grader Dylan Haigler said. “My dream is to be a doctor.”

With the fluctuating economy, health care professions are not as accessible as they used to be. Programs like these give students an advantage early on. Michelle Ellis, the nurse recruiter at the hospital, said the program helps prepare resumes for students to land internships.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to start early and encourages volunteering in the hospital later on,” Ellis said. “They don’t realize the impact they have here.”

The students meet from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day for a week and have plans to repeat the program next summer with another group of students.

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

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Students in Training: A New Place to Go High Tech

Weeklong Summer Camps Gives Rowan County Youth Skills for Careers

Khalil McGee has known for some time he wants a career in computer technology. He’s well on his way to learning the basics.

McGee, 15, is one of 10 students taking part in a weeklong camp this summer at Students in Training, a nonprofit organization in Rowan County that teaches students the basics of computer repair. The computers have been donated to the organization by the community.

”Some students aren’t interested in computers, but they may be interested in the office. We provide them a chance to succeed in every aspect of the job,“ board member Peggy Fisher said.

At the end of the week, those students who do not have computers will get to take one home and the others will be distributed in the community.

All of the students from this camp were from North Rowan High and North Rowan Middle schools.

Students in Training was started 13 years ago at East Rowan High School where Charles Patton, a teacher, and several students began rebuilding used computers and donating them to people who needed them. The program was such a success, that in 2005, they officially founded Students in Training as a nonprofit corporation.

McGee is a student at North Rowan High School. He connected with the camp through Communities in Schools, a program offered at his school.

”I didn’t know this before,“ he said.

Halfway through the weeklong camp, McGee and his partner had rebuilt four computers.

The hardest part of the repair job is knowing how much memory or RAM to put in the computer.

The easiest, McGee said, ”putting all of the cords together and turning it on to make sure it works.“

It takes about an hour to take apart and rebuild one computer.

The students set a goal at the beginning of the week and each pair or team sets another goal.

All of the computers and parts that are not used are turned over to Power House Recycling.

Jalea Shaw, 15, also a student at North Rowan High, heard about the camp through her school counselor.

”It’s a good program to keep kids out of trouble,“ she said.

Although she liked the computers, she really enjoyed the receptionist work she got to do while at camp.

”You get to work more with people,“ Shaw said.

Shaw also learned about good and bad hard drives and what types of memory a computer requires.

”It’s fun,“ she said.

Shaw also wrote, casted and directed a promotional video the campers created this week to tell people about Students in Training. The video will eventually go on the organization’s website.

”It’s a great example of what’s going on here,“ said Program Director Barry Hawkins.

Hawkins said the object of the organization was to create great minds like Einstein and Beethoven.

Kerry Aitken, 13, is homeschooled, and found it nice to interact with other students his age.

”Everybody is friendly,“ he said.

Aitken learned to recognize a problem with a computer. He heard about the summer program from his mother, who owns two downtown Spencer businesses, and from his older brother, who volunteered a year ago.

This week, students have recycled 70 computers, or 8,000 pounds of material, and rebuilt about 10 computers.

The organization moved to its new location, 415 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer.

This location, Fisher said, is more accessible for customers and it made more sense to be in a location near a school. Students in Training was previously located in downtown Salisbury.

After settling into the new location, the organization will soon be able to have homework labs and other after school programs.

This summer program was made possible through a grant from the Margaret C. Woodson Foundation.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are strong partners with Students in Training and love their mission of training youth and giving back to the community. For more information about Students in Training, go to www.sitorg.org.

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Stanly Early College Receives Prestigious Award

Recognized as Innovator of the Year

Stanly Early College High School, one of North Carolina’s 70 early colleges, was recognized as winner of the annual Innovator Award, presented by the North Carolina New Schools Project to innovative high schools demonstrating strong results in preparing all students for college, careers and life.

Stanly Early College was one of six finalists selected from 106 schools that were partners with NCNSP during the 2009-10 school year.

Howard Lee, executive director of the North Carolina Education Cabinet, recognized each of the schools during the closing session of NCNSP’s Summer Institute, attended by 600 educators from innovative high schools across the state.

In recognizing the schools, Lee said the field of contenders was so strong this year that the “six schools landed in a virtual photo finish.”

All the schools, he said, “have created a culture where supportive relationships allow teachers to grow and students to thrive.

“And all of these schools are going the extra distance to ensure that every student is well prepared for college, career and life.”

About Stanly specifically, Lee said the small school is “having an outsized impact on the students who are fortunate enough to be part of the school.

“Compared to the district's demographics, more of the school's students are more likely to be black or Hispanic; more of them are more likely to come from low-income families,” he said.

Three quarters of them are from families in which neither parent graduated from college.

“And once in the school, they're showing that real opportunity that comes from both high expectations and strong support can erase the kinds of gaps that too often separate students from different races and social strata.”

Among the factors NCNSP cited in its selection of Stanly as an award finalist were these:

• Stanly has achieved high growth under the state ABCs accountability system in its first three years. (2009-10 data not yet available);

• Strong achievement by low-income students, with 86 percent passing state exams, compared ot 64 percent for the district, 58 percent statewide;

• No dropouts; and

• 75 percent of the students in the school are the first in their families to attend college.

The other finalists were Caldwell Early College High School, Howard Health & Life Sciences High School in Cumberland County, Randolph Early College High School, Sand Hoke Early College High School and the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville.

The North Carolina New Schools Project works to accelerate systemic, sustainable innovation in secondary schools across the state, with the goal of helping all high schools graduate every student ready for college, careers and life in the 21st century.

Created in 2003 by the Office of the Governor and the Education Cabinet with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NCNSP has partnered with school districts and educators to establish more than 100 innovative high schools.

To develop these schools, NCNSP works with colleges and universities, state and local government, private businesses and philanthropies.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council would like to congratulate Stanly Early College on this wonderful honor! The Board and the Council are both strong partners with the Early College and believes in its mission and vision for the youth in our region. For more information on this prestigious honor please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2732 or by email at npender@centralina.org.

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