We’re Career Ready – Are You?

Centralina Reaches Goal of Having Career Readiness Certification Available Regionwide

One of the key goals of the Centralina Workforce Development Board is to Increase Workforce Readiness. Recognizing that the most important asset we have is human intelligence and ability, the Board is working to ensure that our workforce can adapt quickly to the changing demands of the global workplace through their abilities to use information, think analytically, work in teams, and be proficient in the use of technology. To this end, the Centralina WDB made the implementation and use of the Career Readiness Certification program and Work Keys assessment in all seven counties in the region a top priority.

As reported in our January 2007 E-Newsletter, the Career Readiness Certification (CRC) is a state program that is designed to equip individuals with a recognizable skill certification that facilitates job placement, retention, and advancement. The Career Readiness Certification helps to ensure a community workforce that is prepared for the jobs of the future, as well as jobs that sustain the current economic base.

There are three levels of certificates awarded, Bronze, Silver, and Gold, all based on WorkKeys Assessments. These assessments can be used by any entity concerned about the employability skills of current and future employees. Test results provide valuable information for individuals, employers, colleges, JobLink Career Centers, and skills training programs. To see a perfect example of a employer using the WorkKeys Assessment tool to test their current workforce, please visit the Business Section of this E-Newsletter.

The latest college to implement the CRC program, Stanly Community College (SCC), held a kick-off breakfast at Stanly Regional Medical Center in Albemarle on May 17 to inform the public about the North Carolina National Career Readiness Certification Program, sanctioned through the WorkKeys and ACT Organization and the NC Community College System in partnership with the Centralina WDB and the JobLink Career Center system.

“SCC is very fortunate, because we are one of 34 sites in North Carolina that can offer the Career Readiness Certificate program,” said SCC President Dr. Michael Taylor.

Dr. Taylor added “our faculty and staff do an excellent job in working with individuals, not just to complete a GED program or an Associate Degree, but to see larger possibilities. Our mission is to help those individuals move on and not just attain credentials, but get the skills they need to be competitive in today’s workforce.” It should be noted that the Centralina Workforce Development Board is adding local funding to the state grant to assist Stanly Community College in fully implementing the CRC program.

Stanly Community College is not the only college that recently started the Career Readiness Certification Program. South Piedmont Community College, with funding assistance from the Centralina Workforce Development Board, will launch their CRC Program for Anson County with a kick-off breakfast meeting on Thursday May 31st at the college’s Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro. Implementation of the CRC program at South Piedmont Community College’s campus in Union County will occur this summer.

With the launch of the two new sites at Stanly Community College and South Piedmont Community College the Career Readiness Certificate Program is available to every business and job seeker in the Centralina region. Other sites that are already offering the program (with additional funding assistance provided by the Centralina WDB) are Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Mitchell Community College, and Gaston College – Lincoln Campus.

Job seekers can pre-test for the CRC program at the local JobLink Career Centers in the region.
This was the goal that the Centralina Workforce Development Board set for itself and the goal has been achieved. Through the implementation of this program throughout the region it can guarantee a well prepared and qualified workforce. A well prepared and qualified workforce leads to economic development and an overall better quality of life in the region.

If you are a job seeker and would like to get started on the process of getting your Career Readiness Certificate to better market your skills to a new employer or to your current one, please contact your local JobLink Career Center. The staff at the JobLink Center can help you get started with the pre-assessment and the WorkKeys assessment, as well as connect you to your local community college to get your certificate. To find your local JobLink Career Center please click here.

If you are an employer and would like to talk with someone more about the WorkKeys Assessment and the Career Readiness Certification please contact your local JobLink Career Center. The staff at the JobLink Center can explain the assessment and the certificate and fit it to your business and your needs. To find your local JobLink Career Center please click here.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to partner with the JobLink Career Centers and the region’s community colleges to help train the workforce for the future. The Board promotes continuous training and continuous improvement for all businesses and job seekers in the region. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board or the CRC program, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org.

Looking into the Future

Centralina Workforce Development Board Holds Annual Retreat

The Centralina Workforce Development Board held its annual retreat May 17-18, 2007 in Asheville, North Carolina. The facilitators of the retreat were Ed Barlow, with Creating the Future, and Celina Shands Gradijan, with Full Capacity Marketing, Inc.

The focus of this year’s Board retreat was the future of the region and the future direction of the Centralina Workforce Development Board. The theme was “Preparing, Positioning, and Partnering”. Board members discussed the outlook of the workforce, the issues that it faces, and possible solutions to over come those issues.

The Board also got a sneak peek of the new Centralina Workforce Development website that is scheduled for a June 2007 launch date. The website will be up to date on information pertaining to economic development, education and workforce development from around the region. The website will also have a new layout and design. Please continue to look for more articles relating to the new Centralina Workforce Development Board’s new website in the coming months.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and staff are excited to have members that bring innovative ideas and are willing to commit to helping develop a highly skilled, productive workforce for the region. The Board appreciates the hard work and efforts that all Board members contribute. For more information on how you can help the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please visit the website at www.centralinaworks.com or contact David Hollars at 704-348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org.

NC Research Campus Update!

Campus Gets New Tenant, Rowan-Cabarrus CC Plans to Move on Campus, and UNCG Reveals Its Involvement

NC Research Campus Pulls in Another Tenant

Angiogen LLC, a developer of oncology therapies, will join the North Carolina Research Campus. Angiogen’s mission is to develop novel oncology therapies, which will benefit people suffering from cancer. The company is preparing for a Phase I trial of its lead anti-angiogenesis drug, the Angiostatic Cocktail. It will base its business operations at the research campus and looks to continue clinical research at the Core Lab in Kannapolis.

“We’re very happy to have Angiogen as a tenant at the North Carolina Research Campus,” said Clyde Higgs, vice president of business development for Castle & Cooke North Carolina, developers of the biotech center.

“We continue to reach out and find success with exciting companies like Angiogen in the medical devices, diagnostics, health and wellness and agri-bio tech fields.”

Founded in 1998, Angiogen is the brainchild of Soff. The company has been funded by private investors and has collaborated with Genetech, Abbott Laboratories, Microbix and other pharmaceutical companies.

“We are very happy to collaborate with the North Carolina Research Campus,” said Mark Arizmendi, president and chief executive officer of Angiogen. “Our firm has the utmost respect for the truly groundbreaking and innovative approach espoused by Mr. David H. Murdock, Clyde Higgs, Lynne Scott Safrit and the rest of the team at the NC Research Campus.”

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College on the Research Campus

The North Carolina Community College system is close to ratifying an agreement with North Carolina Research Campus developer Castle & Cooke. The deal would give Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s biotechnology program space on the campus.

According to the agreement, Castle & Cooke will have the 62,333 square-foot building constructed by October 2008 and opened by early 2009.

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) will lease the building from Castle & Cooke for 20 years for a base rent of about $2.2 million a year. Castle & Cooke will donate the building to the community college system after 20 years.

Spokeswoman Audrey Bailey said the agreement was supposed to be ready for the State Board of Community Colleges to ratify in April, but was delayed because of negotiations with Castle & Cooke. She said the state board should ratify it at its next meeting.

RCCC’s biotechnology degree program began in January as a joint offering between RCCC, Forsyth Tech in Winston-Salem and Gaston College in Dallas.

Ed Otto, director of the biotechnology program at RCCC, said the community college will allocate $4.9 million a year for 20 years toward operating the training center. That includes equipment and faculty and staff salaries, Otto said.

“The universities are responsible for the research activities,” Bailey said, “but when it comes to the people actually being in the trenches doing the work, that is where we come in.”

Otto said the centerpiece of the building will be a sterile biomanufacturing training suite that will be used to simulate actual laboratory conditions.

“The building will be rich in lab space,” Otto said. “The labs will be flexible for customized, industry-like training.”

RCCC is currently developing two biotech programs in biomanufacturing and agricultural biotechnology. Each program would have room for 100 students, Otto said. He also said he expects about 40 faculty and staff members will work out of the building when it opens.

UNCG Details Research Campus Involvement

UNC Greensboro has released some information pertaining to their involvement with the NC Research Campus.

UNC Greensboro will station two researchers at the North Carolina Research Campus. The UNCG Center for Research Excellence in Bioactive Food Components will study the effects of iron, manganese and certain spices on nutrition and cancer.

UNCG has already received $600,000 this year for the institute and has requested $1.8 million next year. The institute will occupy 5,000 square feet of laboratory space on the fourth floor of the UNC-Chapel Hill Human Nutrition Institute on the campus. The building is slated to be completed in early 2008.

Want to learn more about the NC Research Campus and the exciting developments involving biotechnology in our region? Then visit the Centralina WDB website for all the latest information.

A New Wind is About to Blow

$40M Wind Tunnel Planned in Concord

The parent company of a NASCAR racing team is building a $40 million wind tunnel in Concord that the owner believes will draw international business to Cabarrus County.

Windshear Inc., owned by Haas Automation Inc., plans to open the 5-acre facility early next year with 25 employees.

Developers expect to attract Formula 1 cars from Europe for testing at the wind tunnel, which can simulate a moving roadway at speeds of 180 mph.

“Cabarrus County is the finish line for the state of North Carolina,” John Cox, chief executive of Cabarrus Economic Development, said during a groundbreaking ceremony.

Cabarrus County has agreed to refund 85% of Windshear’s property-tax payments for three years in return for the company’s promise to build in Concord.

Earlier this year, California-based Haas, which operates NASCAR racers driven by Jeff Green and Johnny Sauter in the Nextel Cup Series, completed a $15 million headquarters for its Haas CNC Racing Inc. in Kannapolis Gateway Business Park.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to partner with Cabarrus Economic Development to bring profitable and expanding businesses to the Centralina region. It’s the great workforce in this region that continues to bring productive companies to the area. A qualified workforce is job one for the Centralina Workforce Development Board. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.

WorkKeys Leads to Work Ready Employees and Employer

PGT Industries using the WorkKeys Program

PGT Industries, located in Salisbury, North Carolina, recently recognized 40 employees who have successfully completed North Carolina’s WorkKeys program.

Rod Hershberger, PGT president and CEO, joined Salisbury mayor Susan Kluttz and Pam Gobel, director of the North Carolina Community College System at the event.

As explained in our lead article in this e-newsletter, the WorkKeys assessment is a system used by 27 states, including North Carolina, to measure skills important to job success.

Self-paced training is available, and PGT pays for time spent testing. Each graduate committed up to 100 hours of personal time in the lab to learn the skills necessary to complete the certification process. Areas of focus in the program include location information, observation, reading for information and applied math.

WorkKeys complements PGT University, a workforce development and education program. In 2006, PGT relocated its manufacturing facilities from Lexington to Salisbury. It operates in the former GDX building. PGT, which pioneered impact-resistant windows and doors, is one of the largest window and door manufacturers in the United States. The company employs approximately 2,300 at its manufacturing, glass laminating and tempering plants, and delivery fleet facilities in Venice, Florida, and Salisbury.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to see employers in the region using programs to improve their current workforce. The Centralina Workforce Development Board believes that continuous improvement leads to a more productive and desired workforce. For more information on the WorkKeys program and how your business can use it to improve your employees skills please contact Centralina WDB Business Service Representative Vail Carter at (704) 348-2710 or by email at vcarter@centralina.org.

Leading the Way (Again) in Motorsports

Motor Racing Network Moves to Concord

Motor Racing Network (MRN) will move to Cabarrus County, creating 50 jobs and investing $2.15 million over the next three years. The company, which provides NASCAR radio coverage and programming, is moving from Daytona Beach, Florida.

The average weekly wage of the jobs will be $1,045 plus benefits, which is higher than the Cabarrus County average weekly wage of $594, not including benefits. The company will lease space on Akins Drive in Concord.

"Motor Racing Network's relocation from Florida to North Carolina will be a strong addition to our $6 billion-a-year motorsports economy," says North Carolina Governor Mike Easley. "More than 14,000 people are directly employed in the motorsports field, making North Carolina the No. 1 state in the nation for this industry."

The company will receive a $50,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-newsletter for more updates on this exciting development in the region.

Hot Off The Presses!

GE Security Bringing 200 Jobs to Lincolnton

A General Electric Co., subsidiary will open a 200-employee manufacturing plant in Lincoln County Industrial Park, investing $10.5 million in the project.

GE Security plans to make home and business security equipment in the 106,000 square-foot building, which is the third built in the 650-acre park northeast of Lincolnton.

“Security is important on a local and national level,” says Harold Howard Jr., chairman of the Lincoln Economic Development Association. “We are proud to be a part of this important endeavor with GE.”

The plant will allow GE Security to streamline its production of security components, says Keith Sultana, a company executive.

The addition of GE Security, a total investment in the county-owned industrial park will top $210 million, says Tom Anderson, chairman of the Lincoln Board of County Commissioners. ”The economic engine that the park has become is the envy of our region.”

The project also will improve employment in the park to more than 2,000 jobs, notes Barry Matherly, executive director of the Lincoln Economic Development Association.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to partner with Lincoln Economic Development Association to bring profitable and expanding businesses to the Centralina region. It’s the great workforce in this region that continues to bring productive companies to the area. A qualified workforce is job one for the Centralina Workforce Development Board. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.


It’s a Sign of the Times!

Atlas Sign Industries Will Add 100 Workers

For about two in half months now, Atlas Sign Industries has been operating in an 110,000 square-foot building in the Concord Business Park near NC 49 and US 601. About 55 people work there now and Chief Executive Officer Jim Adinolfe said he hopes to add about 100 more workers in the next five months.

He said he also would be interested in seeing whether Atlas would be eligible for incentives from the county for the business expansion. Atlas makes signs for such companies as Wachovia, Home Depot and Cracker Barrel.
The company’s other manufacturing site is in West Palm Beach, Florida where the business is headquartered.

When the company was looking to expand, Adinolfe said, it liked Cabarrus’ location near Charlotte and its banks, and it also appreciated the reception the company received from local business leaders. Recruitment has gone well, Adinolfe said.

“It’s been overwhelming, from the community leaders right down to the people we’re recruiting,” he said.

Adinolfe said he expects to see about $18 million in annual sales from Concord, producing about 12,000 signs a year.

For information about employment with Atlas Sign Industries, please contact Carolyn Mays at the Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center at (704) 786-3183 or by email at carolyn.mays@ncmail.net.

Top Development Groups are in the Centralina Region

Site Selection Recognizes Mooresville, Statesville and Charlotte Regional Partnership

Site Selection Magazine named its “Top Deals and Groups in North America for 2006.” The Mooresville-South Iredell Economic Development Corporation, Greater Statesville Development Corporation and the Charlotte Regional Partnership were recognized. The two counties received the “Top Groups” designation; the Charlotte Regional Partnership received an Honorable Mention. Only 20 domestic economic development groups were recognized by Site Selection.

“As we considered the nominations for the Top Development Groups” this year, it became clear that the most competitive organizations shared several characteristics,” said Ron Starner, director of publications and general manager for of Site Selection publisher Conway Data. “They provide market access to expanding companies, strong logistics, support networks, highly qualified and abundant labor pools, competitive business costs and good old-fashioned ingenuity to get deals done.”

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to have the two of the “Top Development Groups” in the Centralina region. The Board is extremely proud to have a partner like the Charlotte Regional Partnership who continues to bring the actions of our region to the attention of a nation. The Centralina Workforce Development Board believes that a qualified workforce in the region is job one. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org.

Looking to Improve your Leadership Skills?

Leadership Cabarrus is Taking Applications

Applications are being accepted for the Class of 2008 for Leadership Cabarrus.

If you occupy a mid-to upper-level management position in your company or own your own business and have a track record of community involvement, you are the perfect candidate.

As CT Communications’ Stan Parnell, Class of 1997, explains, “I have lived here all my life, but Leadership Cabarrus introduced me to people, places and things that I never knew about. It is one of the best programs the chamber has available.”

To get an application, contact Deborah Carter at dcarter@cabarrus.biz. Read more about the program on the chamber website.

May'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 WDB is pleased to announce that the winner of this month’s drawing is Goodman Millwork, Inc. in Salisbury, NC. Kimberly Johnson of Goodman Millwork, Inc. completed and submitted the survey. We thank Kimberly for helping us with our continuous improvement feedback process! For more information about Goodman Millwork, Inc. please visit www.goodmanmillwork.com.

If you haven't completed the survey, you can do so now by logging onto our website at http://www.centralinaworks.com/survey. 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.

 

 

Employment Statistics
 Updated Monthly on this E-Newsletter

April 2007
(Source: NC Employment Security Commission)
County
Unemployment Rate
Persons Employed
Anson
6.9%
10,492
Cabarrus
4.2%
78,974
Iredell
4.8%
74,428
Lincoln
4.4%
37,142
Rowan
7.0%
65,802
Stanly
4.7%
28,821
Union
3.8%
84,374

For more information on employment, click here

16th Annual Union and Anson County Job Fairs a HUGE Success!

Brings over 140 Employers and 720 Job Seekers Together

Spring is THE time for career seekers and employers looking for great new employees as the 16th annual job fairs for Union County and Anson County were recently held.

The Union County Job Fair was held on Thursday May 3rd from 10am to 3pm at the South Piedmont Community College Conference Center on the Old Charlotte Hwy Campus in Monroe and was a great success. A Summer Career Fair for Union County Youth followed that afternoon and evening from 3 to 6 PM. A total of 80 employers participated along with 570 job seekers. Sponsors included South Piedmont Community College, Union County JobLink Career Center, Centralina Workforce Development Board, Union County Department of Social Services, Union County Chamber of Commerce, Union County Public Library, Union County Vocational Rehabilitation and Union County Community Action.

Door Prizes for job seekers were donated by Boggs Paving Company, Carowinds, Target, South Piedmont Community College and the Union County JobLink Career Center. Western Sizzler and Quincy’s Restaurants also provided free food samples including steak and buffalo wings to Job Seekers as they explored a broad range of employment opportunities. Employers also received goody bags provided by the Centralina Workforce Development Board.

The Anson County Job Fair was held on Tuesday April 17th from 10am to 2pm at the SPCC’s Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro. A Summer Career Fair for Anson County Youth followed that afternoon and evening from 3pm to 6pm.

Representatives from South Piedmont Community College's Student Services, Curriculum, Continuing Education and Basic Skills Programs were also on-hand to share information about educational opportunities, registration and financial aid. A total of 60 Employers and 150 Job Seekers attended throughout the day's events. Complimentary snacks, beverages, a BBQ Luncheon Plate, and dessert were provided to employers by the sponsors of the job fair. The sponsors included South Piedmont Community College, Anson County JobLink Career Center, Centralina Workforce Development Board, Anson Community Hospital, Anson County Department of Social Services, Anson County Chamber of Commerce, Anson County Cooperative Extension, Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Wal-Mart Super Center in Wadesboro.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with South Piedmont Community College, the Union County JobLink Career Center and the Anson County JobLink Career Center. Connecting job seekers to their future and preparing them for the workforce is a part of the Centralina Workforce Development Board's services through local JobLink Career Centers. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2732 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org.

Tourism IS Economic Development!

Stanly Community College Starts Hospitality Program

Stanly Community College (SCC) may have a solution for improving customer service in Stanly County, something college staff and Centralina Workforce Development Board member Marion Kinley says she constantly hears gripes about.

Through a partnership with the Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce, Stanly Community College will offer a unique hospitality certificate program that will teach customer service skills for hospitality industry employees.

“We hear a lot about tourism in Stanly County and we also hear comments about our customer service,” Marion said.

Research shows consumers today make buying decisions based 10 percent on product and 90 percent on the quality of service received. Marion said it is easy to see the impact great or poor customer service can have on a business.

She said the “Fundamentals of Customer Service” program began last fall, already producing 10 certificates for students who complete the 69 credit hour program. As a continuing education certificate program, the curriculum can be designed or formatted for an individual business with classes offered either on site or at the Albemarle or Locust campuses of Stanly Community College.

“We can customize it to whichever trade or business,” Kathy Almond, the college’s Small Business Center director said.

The four course series, that only costs about $65 plus textbooks, includes a 24 hour hands-on practical computer skills course, a 24 hour customer service course, and a six hour course in telephone professionalism and a 15 hour course in working with difficult customers. The entire program can be presented in a 13 week period or a customized program can be accelerated for local business needs. With small beginnings, the college hopes to eventually implement a complete hospitality degree program at Stanly Community College.

The Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce have agreed to support and encourage the certificate program.

“Sometimes people have never been exposed to good customer service. We’re also becoming more and more self-service, but we need to put a greater emphasis on customer service. We have a strong interest in workforce development and this will be a meaningful program,” Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Ramseur said.

For more information about the customer service certificate program, please contact Stanly Community College at (704) 982-0121 or visit www.stanly.edu. The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to partner with Stanly Community College, Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Stanly County JobLink Career Center, and the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce to reach more of the workforce and help prepare them for the future. A well prepared workforce is job one for the Centralina Workforce Development Board.

 


Test Your Knowledge – Final Answers!

The Final Answers to our Quiz on Basic Skills and Literacy in North Carolina

For the past two E-Newsletters the Centralina Workforce Development Board has been testing your knowledge on basic skills and literacy in North Carolina. The final answers to the April Basic Skills/Literacy in North Carolina quiz are below, and if you haven’t taken last month’s quiz click here.

1.)   C – On the average, Adults with a high school diploma or GED typically earn $7,400 more per year than adults who did not finish high school. (U.S. Department of Labor, 2001)

2.)   C – English as a Second Language serves over 28,000 students annually.

3.)   C – More than 16,000 adults earned an Adult High School diploma or GED.

4.)   A – Every year, most students are able to meet their personal goals, develop their knowledge, and increase their potential through Basic Skills/literacy programs.

5.)   B – Many programs assist students with child care and transportation. Some programs provide instruction through distance education.

How well did you do on our quizzes? Where you surprised and shocked at some of the answers?

The Centralina Workforce Development Board believes that the literacy skills of the workforce must be improved in the region. The Board is currently working on projects that are focusing on the improvement of basic skills and literacy skills. Please continue to look for more information on these projects in the upcoming issues of the E-Newsletter. For more information on Basic Skills/literacy programs in the region or to find out how you can help put an end to illiteracy please contact Emily Barnes at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at ebarnes@centralina.org.

Let Us Know

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.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is currently undergoing a rebranding process and we need your help! 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 Barnes at ebarnes@centralina.org. If you are new to the newsletter and would like to see our previous issues please visit them at www.centralinaworks.com/enewsletter.cfm. We thank you in advance for your feedback and your assistance in our rebranding process!

2007 NC Youth Summit

The North Carolina Commission on Workforce Development, the North Carolina Workforce Development System and local Workforce Development Boards of North Carolina recently held the first annual 2007 NC Youth Summit: “Young Adults, One Voice.”

The Summit was held April 20-21, 2007 at the Radisson Hotel in High Point North Carolina. Youth from all over the state of NC attended with their Workforce Investment Act (WIA) staff as chaperons.

The Summit featured workshops titled “My Future – The Real World” (identify issues of concern to young adults centered on education, job training and employment), “Putting Your Best Foot Forward” (help youth learn to make effective presentations) and “Success through Empowerment: Tools for Life” (an opportunity to work with a team to make a plan of action to help solve common problems facing today’s young adults).

The keynote speaker was Kenston J. Griffin a native of Statesville, NC. Kenston is the founder and President of “Dream Builders Communications”, a consulting firm that shows individuals and organizations how to rejuvenate their spirit and amplify their ability to succeed. Kenston delivered a powerful message to the youth. Workshop presenters were Thomas Barksdale II (motivational speaker who currently works with Centralina Youth), Vincent Phipps (speaker), Nakoma Simmons (NC Cooperative Extension), Adonis “Sporty” Jeralds (booking liaison to arena operator for the Charlotte Bobcats Arena), Carolyn McCain (extension agent in family and consumer services at NC A & T State University, and Callie Northern (Resource Connector for GTC Services). The main focus of the Summit was for youth to voice their everyday and future concerns.

All Youth were required to write an essay stating why they wanted to attend the Summit and what they hoped to gain out of the summit and take back to their communities. The Centralina WDB received about 45 essays from youth in our region.

Twenty-five (25) youth from the Centralina WDB region and seven WIA youth staff members attended the Summit. Here are some of the comments from the youth that attended:

“The workshops and the speakers were wonderful!”

“It was an honor to go. I’m glad I got the chance to share my ideas and opinions. Hopefully I will be able to attend next year. It was a blast!”

“I gained a lot of confidence by hearing about how to talk in front of a crowd and how to have a proper speaking conversation.”

“I like that we got to meet other youth from other counties and learn from their experiences.”

The Centralina Workforce Development Board’s Operations Manager Patricia White served on the NC Youth Summit Committee, facilitated workshops at the conference, as well as coordinated the Centralina youth and the WIA staff members who attended.

Patricia stated “I am honored to serve on the NC Youth Summit Committee. I’m even more honored to have attended the first NC Youth Summit with the WIA staff and youth. It is clearly evident in the way the Centralina youth carried themselves at the summit that the Centralina youth staff members are impacting the lives of the youth they serve. The Centralina youth were very active in the summit and two of our participants were selected to serve on the Youth Strategic Plan as presenters to voice the youth attendees concerns and issues to legislators, local officials and WDB Directors. Go Centralina Youth!"

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud to partner with the state to offer the youth in our region experiences that will last them a life time. The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council believe that strong healthy youth now, lead to a strong and healthy workforce tomorrow. For more information on the Centralina Youth Council. please contact Emily Barnes at (704) 348-2732 or by email at ebarnes@centralina.org.

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Stanly County JobReady Partnership Celebrates Recent Interns at Local Businesses

At their May 9th meeting, the Stanly County JobReady Partnership highlighted high school students participating in work-based learning experiences. Representatives from North Stanly, South Stanly and Albemarle high schools spoke of their experiences as interns at area businesses.

The students interned at different businesses throughout Stanly County. Some of the businesses included the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce, the Badin Police Department, and Norwood Pharmacy. Each intern indicated their internship experience helped them to further identify their future career and educational career goals.

Representatives of the cooperative education programs at North Stanly and Albemarle high schools spoke to the group about how their course work in the marketing education programs at each school has prepared them to work better with the public.

Stanly County JobReady Partnership is a formal organization joining the worlds of school and work in ways that will improve student learning, motivation and workforce preparedness. Their board consists of representatives from local manufacturing, banking, government agencies and service-oriented businesses, the Stanly County JobLink Career Center, Stanly Community College, as well as representatives from Stanly County Schools Career and Technical Education department. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director, also serves on the Stanly County JobReady Partnership Board. This partnership hopes to bridge the gap between home, school and work. These benefits extend beyond the individual student, and include employers, parents and the community.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud to partner with the Stanly County JobReady Partnership to offer information to the upcoming workforce so they can make smart decisions for their future. Strong youth in the region leads to a strong workforce in the region. For more information about the Stanly County JobReady Partnership, please contact Linda Bell at linda_bell@scs.k12.nc.us. For more information on the Centralina Youth Council, please contact Emily Barnes at (704) 348-2732 or by email at ebarnes@centralina.org.

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Centralina Youth Council Offers Some Answers

If they haven’t already, millions of seniors graduating from high school will turn their attention over the next few weeks to paying for college.

Scholarships and grants – which don’t have to be paid back – are the best option, of course. But not everyone has the academic merit aid, or a great jump shot that would earn them a sports scholarship. About two-thirds of four year college students who graduate do so with some debt – typically about $19,000.

Many are confused by the number of programs and options for borrowing, and get stuck with more debt than they should. Here are some questions and answers when it comes to paying for and saving up for college:

Q: Where should I look for a loan first?
A: Try Uncle Sam. The federal government helps students borrow in several ways: through direct loans, by subsidizing interest payments, and by encouraging private lenders to lend to students. In mostly all cases, government loans are a better deal than private loans.

Q: How do I get started?
A: Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form at the Department of Education website (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Also be sure to check out the College Foundation of North Carolina’s website for information as well.

Q: What kind of loans will I be offered?
A: The chief federal loan program is the Stafford loan, which will let dependent freshmen borrow up to $3,500 the following year. For students with high financial need, the government pays interest on at least a portion of that while you in school. Also, if you have a high need, you may also be offered a Perkins loan. That’s also subsidized by the government, and a great deal with 5 percent interest and other good items. But the borrowing limits are $4,000 per year for undergraduates.

Q: How much should I borrow?
A: As little as you can. The average loan debt of $19,000 is manageable for most people, and median debt levels have leveled off in recent years, according to the College Board. But havng many debts can follow you for decades, limiting your cash flow and career options. A good rule of thumb is to not take on more debt than your expected first-year expected salary.

These are just some of the many questions youth and parents in the region have about paying for college. Ms. Timeka Ruffin with the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) will be the featured speaker at the Centralina Youth Council meeting on June 7, 2007 at the Boys and Girls Club in Concord. Timeka will review the CFNC’s website (www.cfnc.org) and show the Council members and guests how to use their site to save for college, find out about scholarship and loans and overall get better prepared for the financial aspect of college.

Please continue to look to the Centralina E-Newsletter Youth Section for more information on this important issue. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board Youth Council, please contact Emily Barnes at (704) 348-2732 or at ebarnes@centralina.org. For more assistance online when it comes to financial aid for college please visit the following sites: www.cfnc.org, www.fafsa.ed.gov, www.finaid.org, and www.simpletutition.com.

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The National Center for Education Statistics published a report documenting high school “event” dropout rates, by state, for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 school years. Event dropout rates measure the percent of ninth to 12th graders leaving high school in one year.

The report accounts for students who leave high school to pursue a GED by defining a dropout as an “individual enrolled in school at some time during the previous school year, who was not enrolled on October 1 of the current school year, and did not graduate from high school or complete some other district- or state-approved educational program.”

Dropout rates in 2003-04, ranged from a low of 1.8 percent to a high of 7.9 percent. Review the report, Event Dropout Rates for Public School Students in Grades 9-12: 2002–03 and 2003–04 by clicking here.

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Mini-Grants Available
For 2007-2009

The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation (the Foundation) announces guidelines, criteria, and deadlines for its Ribbon of Hope mini-grants program. The goal of the program is to have a positive impact on the lives of North Carolina’s citizens in each of the state’s 100 counties. Over the next three years, the Foundation will award mini-grants of $25,000 to North Carolina community-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations. These grants will support activities that establish or expand local programs in health, science, and education to serve identified needs of local communities. In addition, grantees will benefit from technical assistance provided by the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits.

The Foundation supports programs that emphasize the understanding and application of health, science, and education to meet the needs of North Carolina’s citizens and communities. In order to be considered, proposals should relate to the establishment and implementation of projects tightly aligned with the goals and objectives of local community agencies, demonstrate their sustainability after grant funds are expended and, most important, address critical community needs that have been identified through comprehensive needs assessment activities.

Priority will be given to nonprofits with proposals attending to 1) mental health prevention, intervention, and/or support activities; 2) adult literacy activities; 3) mentoring programs for children and youth; and 4) hands-on science activities for children and youth. These groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and reviewed as they are received. The Foundation intends to make grant awards two times per year. Application submission deadlines and grant award notification dates for the entire program are listed below. To be considered for an award in January 2008, applications must be received by October 1, 2007.

For further information download the complete application and related materials.

* PDF format

* Microsoft Word format

For more information on this grant opportunity please contact Emily Barnes at (704) 348-2732 or by email at ebarnes@centralina.org.

 

 

  


What's Happening in the Region?

Comings, Goings, Kudos…

  • Congratulations go out to Division of Employment and Training Director Tom White named Administrator of the Year by the N.C. Association of Workforce Professionals. White received this award at the organization’s annual conference awards luncheon on April 19.
  
  • Dr. Richard Brownell, president of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, announced his plans to retire in June 2008. On September 1, 2007 he will have served 30 years, the longest community college presidency in North Carolina. A search committee has been formed to seek his replacement.
     
  • Vernon Shoaf has been selected as Manager of the BioNetwork BioEd Center of Gaston College, effective May 1, 2007. Vernon was hired as the Curriculum Coordinator of the BioEd Center in September 2005, and has been serving as Acting Manager of the BioEd Center since February 2007. Before coming to Gaston College, Vernon served as the Coordinator of Distance Learning at Mitchell Community College for five years.
  
  • Ali Cecchini with I-Care, Inc. in Lincoln County has announced her plans to move back to her home state of Kansas. Ali was a Workforce Investment Act case manager and was very active with the Centralina Youth Council. Good Luck Ali! We will miss you!
  
  • Dr. Gregory Firn will succeed Dr. George Truman as Superintendent of Anson County Schools effective July 1, 2007. Firn was previously a superintendent of the public schools of Milford, Connecticut, and has also served as deputy superintendent of the public schools of Wenatchee, Washington. We welcome Dr. Firn to the region!
  • Scott Loudermelt is the new executive director of the Habitat for Humanity of Iredell County. Loudermelt worked with Sipes Orchard Home, a mental health facility for adolescents in Conover and has also served as a campus administrator.

  • Pam Layfield has been named the Anson County Cooperative Extension new secretary, succeeding Ruth Ann Pope, who in turn will now succeed the recently retired Pearl Blount as the Extension’s administrative secretary.

  • Dusty Moser has succeeded Pam Layfield as the Anson County Chamber of Commerce’s office manager. Moser is a native of Pageland, South Carolina and a four-year veteran of the US Navy.

• Centralina Workforce Development Board meeting
Tuesday June 12, 2007 – 4:30 PM
Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce – Kannapolis

• Centralina Youth Council
Thursday June 7, 2007 – 10:00 AM
Boys and Girls Club – Concord

• Centralina Executive Planning
Tuesday June 26, 2007 – 12:00 PM
Carolina Carpet Care and Restoration – Concord

• McGill Family Medicine Practice Grand Opening
Tuesday June 5, 2007 – 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM - Concord
Contact: Aleisa Anthony 704.792.2242

• 2007 12th Congressional District Grant Conference
Monday June 18, 2007 – 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
College of Health and Human Services Building – UNC Charlotte Campus
RSVP by June 4, 2007
Contact: Kim Bright at (704) 344-9950 or by email at Kim.Bright@mail.house.gov

• Critical Thinking Conference
Friday June 1, 2007 – 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
York Technical College – Rock Hill, SC – Science and Technology Building, Room 239
Cost: $50.00
Register Online: www.yorktech.com or call 803.325.2882 or 803.325.2888

• Energizing Entrepreneurship in Rural North Carolina
Monday June 11, 2007 – Wednesday June 13, 2007
Broyhill Inn & Conference Center – Boone
Cost: $275.00 plus lodging, lodging is available at the Broyhill Inn for &108.00 a night – to make reservations please call 828.262.2204 and ask for the Rural Center room block
Register: Contact Leslie Scott at lscott@ncruralcenter.org

• MPACT Skilled Maintenance and Facilities Engineering Job Fair
Thursday July 19, 2007 – 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
MPACT Learning Center, LLC – Greensboro, NC
For Businesses to attend please contact: Joel Leonard at 336.379.1444, ext. 102
For attendees: Please bring a hard copy of resume and send a soft copy to joel@mpactlearning.com

• Junior Achievement is looking for volunteers and sponsors in Cabarrus & Rowan Counties:
Opportunities:
-Volunteer
-Sponsor a class or child
-Help lead the success of Junior Achievement in Cabarrus County
Contact: Stacey Richards, Junior Achievement District Manager
704.563.4858 or srichards@jacarolinas.org

NC Workforce Development Training Center Training Announcements

eTrain Course: Customer Service in Continuous Improvement Environment
Open enrollment from May 1, 2007 – December 31, 2007
Time: Anytime
Location: www.ncwdtc.com
Fee: $90.00
Contact: email Martha Barefoot at mbarefoot@nccommerce.com

eTrain Course: Planning and Documentation
Open enrollment from May 1, 2007 – December 31, 2007
Time: Anytime
Location: www.ncwdtc.com
Fee: $90.00
Contact: email Martha Barefoot at mbarefoot@nccommerce.com

Effective Case Management
June 19, 2007
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: McDowell Tech Community College - Marion
Fee: $45.00

For more information about these and other training offerings or to register for training, please visit: www.ncwdtc.com
 

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