“It
was very exciting to meet peers from across the country and compare
notes on the challenges we face in serving the business community
and also mingle with like minded people who share the same passion
for providing excellent services to employers,” Vail said.
Over
40 exhibitors were in attendance, including employers, service agencies,
military recruiters, and veterans services agencies. They offered
information on what they do and what jobs are available. Some businesses
took applications on site and even critiqued them on the spot! The
event also provided job seekers an opportunity to brush up on their
interviewing skills and resume preparation. Those attending the
event have provided very good feedback to the organizers so that
an even bigger, better career fair can happen next year!Representatives from the Stanly County Joblink/Employment Security Commission were on site at the Veteran’s Fair that was held on Thursday May 5, 2011. |
Representatives from Edward Jones participated in the Veteran’s Fair. |
Planning a First in the State NEW Program!
Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership Provides Start-Up Money For Anesthesia Technician Program
Carolinas
College of Health Sciences is developing an anesthesia-technician
program that could be replicated throughout the region. The college
wants to create a curriculum that standardizes training for students
within the industry. It has received a $22,000 grant from the Competitive
Workforce Alliance Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership
to support those efforts.
“I’m hoping to create a career ladder,” says Ellen Sheppard, president of the college, which is part of the Carolinas HealthCare System. “This creates a somewhat new level of skilled providers.”
There are no anesthesia technician programs in North Carolina at the moment. Sheppard notes most anesthesia technicians are trained on the job, with skills varying by health-care provider. That results in variations in technicians’ abilities.
Carolinas College wants to define a standard list of tasks that can be delegated to anesthesia technicians. Those technicians play a supporting role in the operating room by assisting nurse anesthetists with tasks such as setting up equipment or prepping for surgery.
A clearer training and certification process should aid health-care providers in hiring technicians. Proponents say is also will help establish a clear career path for graduates.
“This is a way for people to move up or move into allied health,” says David Hollars, Executive Director of the Centralina Workforce Development Board, the organization that acts as the workforce intermediary for the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership.
He says the program could serve as a model for other allied-health needs, with one entity creating a program and sharing its curriculum with others. David added that this program is part of the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership's focus on developing career ladders for individuals to enter and advance in the ever changing field of healthcare.
Sheppard says Carolinas College is still hammering out details of its program. The first session could start as early as October 2011. But she estimates another $100,000 is needed to support the program. Those funds will help defray costs for students and provide financial aid. She anticipates up to 12 students in the first class. Training is expected to take six to eight months to complete.
Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for more coverage on this exciting development for our region! For more information on this program or on the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org.
Preparing Workers for the Future
Goodwill Expands Career Connections Center in Rowan County
Thanks to an expansion completed last month, the Goodwill Career Connections Center in Salisbury (Rowan County) is now able to help more people find work and will soon offer more classes. The center, located at 1923 South Main Street held an open house on Thursday May 19, 2011 to show the community how it has changed. Centralina WDB Youth Program Specialist Natasha Pender attended this event.
Nancy Rominger, Career Connections coordinator for Goodwill, said the expansion will help the center serve more people with the free job searching tools it offers.
These include computers with internet access, a telephone, a fax machine, a copy machine, job listings and informational pamphlets. Job seekers also can get free one-on-one help with resume writing, interviewing and computer skills.
At the open house, representatives from Aerotek Staffing Agency and StaffMasters were available to talk to people about finding jobs through a placement company.
The center itself does not place people in positions, Rominger said. Instead, it helps them develop the skills they need to find employment and communicate those skills to hiring businesses. More training opportunities also will be available soon. The center is an affiliate of the Rowan County JobLink Career Center which is located right across the street at 1904 South Main Street in Salisbury.
The Goodwill center, which is funded by local Goodwill stores and is run by Goodwill Industries of the Northwest Piedmont, had been limited to one classroom with computers and a lobby area with job search resources. The expansion adds two more classrooms, including one with computers and an interactive white board.
The center now can offer more classes in partnership with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC). The college now offers an employability lab from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM daily, extending to 4:00 PM starting in June.
In
this lab – also available on the college’s two campuses
– job seekers learn how to write an effective resume, practice
interviewing skills, search for jobs online and fill out electronic
applications. The college also sponsors a career readiness certificate
program and is expected to bring more classes to the center in the
fall.
Rominger said records show about 400 people who came to the center last year found jobs, but it’s been hard to keep track. “Since I’ve got more people now, we’re going to start contacting people and see, if they’ve actually found work and how they’re doing,” she said. “If they haven’t, we’ll see if there’s something we can do to help.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with the Goodwill Career Connection Center, the Rowan County JobLink Career Center, and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. The Board welcomes partners reaching out to the community and connecting job seekers to their future careers. For more information on this event or on the Centralina WDB, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org.
Carol Allen, director of career readiness certification
at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, demonstrates the new
interactive white board at the Goodwill Career Connections
Center.
|
 |
Cassandra Barrier, instructor at the Goodwill Career Connections Center, shows job seekers a website where they can find and apply for jobs. This classroom is one of two added to the center in this spring's expansion, making a total of three. |
Fulfilling the Wish of Career Success
Centralina WDB Executive Director Addresses Mitchell Community College GED Graduates
On
Thursday May 12, 2011 Mitchell
Community College held their GED Graduation ceremony.
A total of 107 graduates walked across the stage although 345 in
total earned the degree this semester alone. Graduates came from
all walks of life, ages and ethnicities. Each had their own story
to tell about how they arrived in the GED program at Mitchell Community
College.
David
Hollars, Executive Director of the Centralina
Workforce Development Board, was the guest speaker
at the ceremony. He praised graduates for their accomplishments.
“All of you have gone through different challenges in life to get to the path of being graduates here today,” he said. “What you’ve done today through perseverance, you’ve shown you are a great success.”
He encouraged the graduates to continue persevering and to give back to their communities. “Don’t let this be the end, but the stepping stone to greater things in life,” Hollars said.
After receiving their certificates from Mitchell Community College President Doug Eason, graduates rose to their feet and moved their tassels to the left side of their caps. And with that, the crowd erupted into cheers.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board would like to congratulate all of the graduates of the GED program at Mitchell Community College and all our local community colleges. The steps you are taking now will lead to success in your future career and happiness with your quality of life! Way to go! For more information on this event or on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.
Mitchell Community College graduates received their high school diploma equivalency during a ceremony on The Circle on the evening of Thursday May 12, 2011. |
Partnering Together to Touch More Lives
Cabarrus Literacy Council and Cabarrus County Public Library Consider Becoming One
The Cabarrus Literacy Council has proposed that the Cabarrus County Public Library assume administrative responsibility for the adult literacy program starting July 1, 2011. The proposed enhanced partnership will better use community resources and maximize the impact of the Literacy Council on the community, according to library and literacy officials.
The
Cabarrus County Public Library will administer the adult basic literacy
activities of the Literacy Council in conjunction with the Family
Literacy services that the library already provides through a partnership
with the Cabarrus partnership for Children.
In Cabarrus County, about 22,000 adults are illiterate or have serious literacy issues, said Dana Eure, director of the Cabarrus County library system.
The Library and the Literacy Council combined have more than 400 trained tutors to work with the struggling adults, who must be age 18 and older to be in the program.
The inability to read or write directly affects success, employment, health, poverty and criminality, according to the Cabarrus Literacy Council. The organization works to help individuals who struggle to read and write.
Eure said the adult literacy program would be run in conjunction with the Family Literacy program, which is designed to help clients from birth to age 5. The library operates its Family Literacy program using a $65,000 grant from the Cabarrus Partnership for Children.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a strong partner with both the Cabarrus Literacy Council and the Cabarrus County Public Library. The Centralina WDB supports these partners working together to address the issues of illiteracy. The Board believes that a well read and literate workforce is a more productive workforce. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org.
|
New Plastics Manufacturer Invests in Lincoln CountyAptarGroup Inc to Invest $53 Million Over 5 YearsDuring a press conference held on Monday, May 16, 2011 at the Lincoln Economic Development Association (LEDA), Governor Bev Perdue announced that AptarGroup, Inc would locate their newest manufacturing facility in Lincolnton, NC, bringing with it 150 jobs over a five-year period, paying an average annual salary of $36,311.
Aptar began their search by looking at over 100 available facilities with at least four being in North Carolina, Lincoln County being one of them. After visiting each facility, Lincoln County was the only one that made the final list, competing to the very end with Kentucky. Aptar’s initial investment of $27 million in building upgrades and equipment qualifies them for local incentives under the Lincoln County Incentive Program. “It is exciting to have a company such as Aptar choose Lincoln County as a home to one of their manufacturing locations. It has been a privilege to work with their leadership team as we look forward to continue assisting them through our Existing Business Program,” says Crystal Gettys, Business Development Manager, Lincoln Economic Development Association. Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!
Freightliner Plant in Rowan County to Add JobsDaimler Trucks North America Announces 225 Jobs at Cleveland, NC Facility
Roger Nielsen, Daimler Trucks’ chief operating officer, recently brought the good news to workers at the plant. The jobs may add a second shift to the operation, boosting its employment to 920. Currently, 695 work at the facility in the town of Cleveland. At its busiest, the plant has employed 4,000. In February, Nielsen told workers at the Freightliner plant in Mount Holly that 628 jobs would be returned to the company’s two Gaston County plants. Daimler Trucks’ parent, Daimler AG of Stuttgart, Germany, also said in February that it plans to add 10,000 jobs this year to its worldwide work force of 260,100. In North America, 1,300 jobs will be added to the company’s truck plants. Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region! |
AptarGroup
Inc
The
Electronic
Recyclers International
ERI
will be the first tenant in the Badin Business Park, located
at the site of the former Badin Works plant. Alcoa has been
actively recruiting businesses to the site, the press release
said, and it first contacted ERI in December 2010 during its
search for a Southeast recycling center. ERI considered locations
in Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina before selecting
the Badin site earlier this month. 
General
Microcircuits is also a former recipient of Incumbent Worker
Training funds provided by the Centralina Workforce Development
Board. General Microcircuits, Inc. contracted with
the Centralina WDB Incumbent Workforce Development Program
in 2007 to provide training in IPC Workmanship Standards.
The goal of the training was to improve the soldering skills
of the trainees to a level that would meet various industry
standards. Trainees meeting the standards would be issued
a two-year certification as proof they had demonstrated the
skills necessary to meet industry standards. The outcomes
for General Microcircuits were an increase in business of
8% to 12% and meeting customer expectations 100% of the time.
The
“We
are so excited,” said Jan Comer, Engineered Sintered
Components Vice President of Human Resources, and Centralina
WDB Board member and one of the Gold Award winners. “It
was a lot of hard work.”North Carolina Department of Labor Commissioner, Cherie Berry (left) addresses the Stateville Safety Awards Banquet on Wednesday May 18, 2011 at the Ramada Inn. |
Lunch & Learns
Anson County JobLink Career Center and South Piedmont CC Featured
Anson County Chamber of Commerce partnered with two key local workforce agencies for Lunch & Learn sessions in April.
The first session, held on Wednesday April 13 at the Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro, was sponsored by South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) and was titled “Career Cruiser Making a Difference in Anson County.”
Eric Tillmon, job recruitment specialist at SPCC, talked about the college’s Career Cruiser and the services the Career Cruiser provides, including the Career Readiness Certification. Tillmon also told how Career Readiness Certification can benefit students, employers and the county as a whole.
Tillmon
announced that thanks to the Career Cruiser, SPCC has reached
its goal of awarding 100 Career Readiness Certificates to
Anson County residents, and they did it four months ahead
of schedule! The Career Cruiser arrived at SPCC in December
2009 and began making regular rounds across Anson County in
2010.
The second Lunch & Learn event was sponsored by the Anson County JobLink Career Center and was entitled “What We Have to Offer and How to Find it & How to Increase Productivity while Decreasing Turnover.”
Anson JobLink manager Scott Clontz introduced Patrick McKemie, Workforce Information Specialist with the Employment Security Commission Labor Market Information Division, who provided a guided tour of the Employment Security Commission website and step by step instructions on how to find the information on unemployment along with other information that the public would be looking for.
Sara Williams, Labor Market Developer, talked about “Employer & Business Services Lesser Known,” points that could help you increase productivity and decrease turnover.
At both events attendees had the opportunity to introduce themselves and tell their place of business. Everyone had a chance to network with Chamber members and staff while enjoying lunch and free prizes!
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with the Anson County Chamber of Commerce and congratulates them on two wonderful successful events! For more information on these Lunch & Learn sessions please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by email at eclamp@centralina.org.
Monroe Hosts 2011 NC Aerospace Executive Forum
Aerospace Companies See What Union County Has to Offer
It takes quite a machine to turn a lump of cast titanium alloy into a precision rotor for a helicopter. In fact, it takes technology so advanced it makes your smart phone look like an Altoids tin.
Representatives of the biggest names in high technology manufacturing saw this multi-million dollar machine and more on Thursday May 5, 2011 at South Piedmont Community College.
The 2011 NC Aerospace Executive Forum final presentation treated attendees to a tour of Turbomeca, maker of components for helicopter turbine engines.
North Carolina companies make a variety of aviation, aerospace and other industrial products. Evacuation slides for commercial planes and sensors for secret government intelligence aircraft are made by companies a short car ride away.
Monroe has one of the highest concentrations of aerospace industry in the state. It has been named among the top five locations for aerospace companies. Thanks to the Forum they gathered at South Piedmont Community College to network and share ideas about their field.
Also, thanks to the forum, leaders from GE Aviation, TIMCO Aviation Services, General Dynamics, Honeywell, Honda Aircraft Company and HCL America got a close look at what Monroe has to offer.
Goodrich, which located its customer service department in Monroe, stays busy developing more efficient engines for commercial airlines, President for Customer Services Paul Snyder said. Goodrich is one of the companies that shifted focus from the commercial market to high-tech industry approximately 20 years ago.
Commercial airlines want to add more fuel efficient planes to their fleet. Intelligence and reconnaissance aircraft rival the importance of combat toughness in the military and defense markets. Intelligence and reconnaissance aircraft rival the importance of combat toughness in the military and defense markets.
Goodrich’s 2010 revenue on sensors, intelligence and surveillance systems alone drew more than $2.1 billion, Snyder said.
While the state’s burgeoning high-tech companies are strong, economic development experts want to recruit more. Existing aerospace companies do, too. Larger companies depend on smaller ones to supply components, NC Department of Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco said. Plenty of local companies cannot find needed components inside the state or the nation.
That is why the state government teamed with industry leaders to form the Governor’s Aerospace Initiative. It looked at ways to get and keep more high-tech companies. A skilled workforce is a major draw for these companies, Honda Aircraft Company Human Resources Manager Dave Drugman said. But qualified residents look outside North Carolina for aerospace jobs.
“We’re losing students and grad students from our prominent universities to aerospace companies out of state,” Drugman said.
The state needs better aviation and aerospace training programs for potential workers, Associate Vice President of the NC Community College System Maureen Little said. The state also needs a better way to connect qualified workers with high-tech jobs, she said.
Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!
| |
Turbomeca Manufacturing President & CEO Matt Nelson, President of ATI Allvac and Executive Vice President of ATI Long Products Hunter Dalton, Monroe Economic Development Executive Director Chris Plate', N.C. Department of Commerce Aerospace Project Manager Rod Forsythe, and Goodrich Corporation Vice President and General Manager of Customer Services Bob Butz. |
Business Show 2011 a Total Sellout!
Rowan County Chamber of Commerce Events Showcases 72 Exhibitors
It
was advertised as Rowan County’s best and biggest business
show of the year. That description fit well for the
Rowan County Chamber of Commerce’s
Business Show at the Event Center on Thursday May 5, 2011.
More than 70 exhibitors, including the Rowan
County JobLink Career Center, had the opportunity
to show their stuff to the community, and the overall consensus
was positive.
The Chamber has been hosting these business shows for more than 10 years. Bob Wright, Chamber president, was pleased to have this year’s show completely sold out with 72 exhibitors.
“We started at the Civic Center and when we outgrew that, we moved to the Holiday Inn,” he said. When space became tight there, they moved the venue to the Event Center.
“This is the second year at the Event Center on Webb Road, and this year is bigger than ever,” said Wright. “The show is a benefit of membership,” explains Wright, “as you must be a Chamber member to exhibit. This is our opportunity to promote Rowan County goods and services and keep the dollars in Rowan County.”
According to Linda Sherrill, membership director of the Chamber, 22 exhibitors were new to the show. Many of them are new Chamber members also.
Steve Reeder of Glass Direct appreciated the opportunity to exhibit his company, which makes and sells custom glass products. The business recently opened its first retail branch on Corporate Circle in Salisbury. The business show provided Reeder a great opportunity to showcase his retail sales. Glass Direct is a new chamber member, too.
Like Reeder, Starling Johnson of Johnson Concrete Products was a first-time exhibitor. “We sell retail, too, and this show is a great opportunity for us to get our name, brand and products out to the public,” Johnson said. The company sells retaining walls, pavers and pottery in addition to concrete products. “It is exciting to be here and impressive to see the diversity of the exhibitors,” she added.
Rowan Regional Medical Center, a major sponsor, had a booth with many items to take home, such as lip balm and health tips. Falon Nye, marketing and PR specialist, was meeting with people and sharing information about RRMC.
“This is my first time at the show, and I think it is great,” she said. “I love the venue, the set up. It is all so very professional and everyone has brought their best,” she said. She said she appreciated the chance to speak to people personally and share valuable information.
Dontea White had a booth for her company, Bright Star. It is new to Rowan County and is a new Chamber member. “Bright Star is a life-care company that provides whatever is needed to sustain quality of life with skilled and companionship care in the home,” White explained. “They serve all ages with home health and companionship care in both Rowan and Iredell counties.” White said she was impressed with the show and how everyone was so friendly.
Folks crowded around the Food Lion booth where they had a chance to win gift cards, logo items or Food Lion bags. “This is a good meet-and-greet with the public,” said Martha Bostian, community relations coordinator. She said she enjoyed meeting the public one-on-one.
Nancy Martin, of Wachovia, was a first-time visitor to the show. “I love it,” she said, “It is a lot bigger than I thought it would be, and there is a lot of great information here,” she added.
The Salisbury Post was the presenting sponsor for the event, and major sponsors included Community Bank of Rowan, Rowan Regional Medical Center, Windstream Communications and The Event Center.
“They make this happen with their generous donations,” says Wright of these sponsors.
A business after hours was held for members after the show sponsored by Comfort Keepers, Duke Energy and Palms Café.
Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region!
Steve Reeder of Glass Direct, a new exhibitor this
year, discusses his business with a visitor.
|
Rowan County’s business show for 2011 was one of its biggest ever according to Chamber of Commerce members. |
| April
2011 (Source: NC Employment Security Commission) |
||
| County | Unemployment
Rate |
Persons
Employed |
| Anson | 11.9% |
8,523 |
| Cabarrus | 9.4% |
74,845 |
| Iredell | 10.4% |
69,827 |
| Lincoln | 10.9% |
33,579 |
| Rowan | 10.8% |
60,610 |
| Stanly | 10.4% |
26,262 |
| Union | 8.6% |
85,050 |
| Centralina WDB Region | 9.9% |
358,696 |
| State of NC | 9.5% |
4,046,255 |
For more information on employment, click here
Getting that Entrepreneur Spirit!
Centralina WDB and Iredell County Partners Announce Winner of First Annual Business Plan Competition
On
Friday May 20, 2011, Mitchell
Community College
and its Small Business Center hosted a reception
to honor the winner of the Iredell County Business Plan Competition
for 2011. The afternoon reception was held at the college’s
Continuing Education campus in Statesville.
The event was sponsored by the Centralina Workforce Development Board, the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce, the Mooresville South-Iredell Chamber of Commerce, Mountain State University, Mitchell Community College & the Small Business Center, and the Small Business & Technology Development Center.
The
judges reviewed submitted business plans to decide which was the
best one. The winner received prizes from Blue Harbor Bank, the
Centralina Workforce Development Board, and Mountain State University.
Judges included: David Bradley of the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce, Dennis Cowardin of BB&T, Heather Gray of RBC Centura, Thom Kincaid of First Citizens Bank, John Marek of the Greater Statesville Development Corporation, Chris Nichols of Blue Harbor Bank, Karen Shore of the Mooresville South-Iredell Chamber of Commerce, and Cindy Sutton of Kleeblatt Investments, LLC.
Congratulations go out to David Tarifay of Galaxie Consulting,
who was the winner of the business plan competition. David's
wife Gretchen accepted the award on his behalf.
Galaxie Consulting is a Sole-Proprietor start-up business owned
and operated by David Terifay which will engineer restaurant designs
for Architects, Food Service Dealers and National Restaurant Chains
throughout North and South Carolina. The company set out to enhance
the industry by bringing Pioneering, Sustainable and Auditable restaurant
designs to the food service industry.
David Terifay began design work back in 1997 and after winning the
Mechanical Design Prize for his design of the Foxwoods Casino in
New London, CT in 1998 has become a great resource for many key
industry consultants. Throughout his education and work experience
his main focus was always on efficient equipment designs which allowed
clients to be flexible. Bringing that understanding to Architects
directly and expanding his designs by working with dealers and directly
for chain accounts has reignited his fire for assisting others.
A solid business plan is essential for the success of any enterprise and the development of that plan can be tedious. Participants of this program received extensive training in the essentials of starting and maintaining a solid business plus assistance in the development of their plans.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with Mitchell Community College and the other partners in Iredell County and is extremely happy to promote creative and innovative strategies to help business growth within the region. Promoting entrepreneurship is vital to our long term economic sustainability. For more information on this event or on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by e-mail at dhollars@centralina.org.
Participants of the Business Plan competition pose for a quick picture. From left to right: Lewis Deaton, Small Business Technical Center of UNC-Charlotte, Dallas Bragg of Mountain State University, Karen Shore, president of the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber, David Bradley, president of the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce, David Hollars, executive director of the Centralina Workforce Development Board, and Suzanne Wallace, director of the Small Business Center at Mitchell Community College. |
Looking for a Way to Connect to Your Peers? Register Now!
Re-Employment Bridge Institute to Host Groundbreaking Best Practices Conference
Looking for some connection to local businesses and to your community? Looking for a place to learn about best practices? We have the perfect conference for you!
The Re-Employment Bridge Institute (RBI) will be holding its very first two-day conference titled Bridging Business and Workforce Development. The event will be held on Thursday June 2, 2011 and runs through Friday June 3, 2011, and will be held at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Concord, North Carolina. The conference will bring together business leaders and workforce professionals to discuss their common objectives-improving our economic climate and getting America back to work!
This
best practices conference will be unlike any other workforce conference.
The key focus is on business and their interaction with the workforce
development community. Keynote speakers for the conference are Ronnie
Bryant, President & CEO Charlotte Regional Partnership,
Steven F. Manz, Chairman of Advisors, Business
Innovation & Growth Council (BIG), Darise Caldwell,
President of Rowan Regional Medical Center, and David Hollars,
Executive Director of the Centralina Workforce Development Board.
The event will also feature Jane Oates, Assistant
Secretary of the US Department of Labor/ETA and Helen Parker,
Regional Administrator of the US Department of Labor/ETA There are
over 20 dynamic breakout sessions planned for the conference including:
• Developing integrated community approaches to serving the dislocated
• From dislocation to becoming an entrepreneurial business owner
• Rapid Response: An employer’s perspective
• Designing new training programs to meet 21st Century employer needs
• Projecting the impact of dislocated worker parents on the health and progress of children
• Evolving patterns of university involvement in workforce development
The Re-Employment Bridge Institute (RBI) is a teaching/learning institute based in Kannapolis, NC, adjacent to the new N.C. Research Campus. Funded by a two-year grant from the Centralina Workforce Development Board and the North Carolina Department of Commerce, RBI is committed to sharing best practices among workforce professionals. RBI seeks to share ideas and help local institutions and agencies become catalysts for economic recovery. RBI offers workshops and customized consultation for serving displaced workers.
Additionally,
the Re-Employment Bridge Institute has revamped their website to
include more updates and to help communities establish partnerships
to share their best practices and experiences. Be sure to check
out their site and find out more information!
Registration for the Bridging Business and Workforce Development conference is still open and available on the www.reemploymentbridge.com website. A draft agenda for the conference can be accessed by clicking here. For more information on the RBI or the conference, please contact Erin Ploplis at the RBI at (704) 216-7202 or by e-mail at erin.ploplis@rccc.edu.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is in YOUR Community!
During the month of May 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 Stanly County Veterans Career Connection Fair, the Iredell County Business Plan competition, the Business Services presentation in Washington, DC, and the Union County Transition Fair, here are some the activities of the Board members and WDB staff for May:
Centralina WDB Youth Council meeting – held on Thursday May 19 at the Boys & Girls Club in Concord. The meeting was conducted by Centralina Youth Council member Marion Kinley. Natasha Pender, Centralina WDB Youth Program Specialist participated and provided staff support. A presentation was made by Wigena Tirado, Senior Admissions Counselor for Odle Management Group for the Job Corps program.
Anson County Senior Health Fair – held on Tuesday May 10 at South Piedmont Community College Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this event in support of Anson JobLink Career Center partners, including ESC and the Grace Senior Center/Title V program.
Rowan Biz-Ed Connect meeting - held on Friday May 13 at NC Cooperative Extension office in Salisbury. Natasha Pender, Centralina WDB Youth Program Specialist participated in this meeting which featured the CTE Student of the Year - Mandy Mills (North Rowan High School), student recognition of Whitney Young/Allied Health, and a tour of the Rowan Cooperative Extension Building.
Mooresville Graded Schools Career Bridge meeting – held on Monday May 16 at NF Woods School in Mooresville. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director, participated in this meeting which is an advisory board for career and technical education
Mooresville Graded School District – Career Management student presentations – held on Tuesday May 17 at NF Woods School in Mooresville. Natasha Pender, Centralina WDB Youth Program Specialist participated in resume review. Additionally, students prepared presentations using their Macbooks. They prepared budgets and resumes. Natasha also participated with others in providing constructive criticism on their handouts and presentation style.
On-The-Job Training – WIA staff training session – held on Wednesday May 18 at the Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center in Concord. Centralina WDB Operations Manager Patricia White and WDB Accountability Specialist Michelle McNulty provided training, guidance, and new policies and procedures to 10 ESC/JobLink WIA staff members and 4 WIA youth staff.
Counseling to Careers – training session – held on Thursday May 19 at Davidson County Community College in Lexington. Centralina WDB Operations Manager Patricia White and WDB Accountability Specialist Michelle McNulty participated in the final segment of this train-the-trainer session, teaming with counseling staff from South Piedmont CC.
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont – Annual Cornerstone Awards luncheon – held on Thursday May 19 in Charlotte. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this event.
Energy Careers for a Bright Future – planning meeting
– held on Monday May 23 at CPCC Harris Campus. Centralina
WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting
as workforce, education, and energy community leaders plan for the
August 9th event.
Charlotte Regional Partnership Awards luncheon – held on Tuesday
May 24 at the Charlotte Convention Center. Centralina WDB Executive
Director David Hollars and WDB Business Services Coordinator Vail
Carter participated in this regional event.
STEM Design Team meeting with Dr. Margaret Lowman (NC Nature Research Center) – held on Thursday May 26 at Rowan-Cabarrus CC Biotechnology Building at NC Research Campus in Kannapolis. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars serves on the STEM design team and participated in this unique event.
Community Action Month celebration – held on Friday May 27 at Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency in Salisbury. Natasha Pender, Centralina WDB Youth Program Specialist participated in this event.
NC Commission on Workforce Development meeting – held on Wednesday May 11 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars attended this meeting.
Workforce Business Development and Assistance – provided by Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative for the following area businesses and organizations:
- Outreach meeting with Shelton Moore and staff at I-Care, Inc. in Statesville (Iredell County) to conduct training on operation of the JobLink Management Information System software and hardware and report generation for the system for SHARE network site – Friday May 6
- Participated in business cultivation session at Mooresville/South Iredell Economic Development in Mooresville (Iredell County) - Thursday May 19
- Participated in training session (along with Centralina WDB staff members Natasha Pender and Michelle McNulty) for workforce development professionals at Johnson & Wales University, hosted by NC Workforce Development Training Center and Charlotte/ Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board - Monday May 23
- Participated in quarterly meeting of Rowan-Cabarrus Business Development Roundtable Group at the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis (Cabarrus County). Reported on the innovation grant available through the U.S. Economic Development Administration -Thursday May 26
- Outreach meeting with Inez Williamson at the Burnsville Recreation and Learning Center (Anson County) to conduct training on operation of the JobLink Management Information System software and follow up on SHARE Network operations - Friday May 27
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
Creative Economy = More Jobs
Representatives from Anson and Stanly Counties Discuss Creating Jobs
For the second time this year, a group of community leaders, farmers, artisans, writers and public officials from Anson and Stanly counties gathered to discuss growing the region’s creative economy.
The group originally met Friday January 14, 2011 at Wadesboro’s Lockhart-Taylor Center. The most recent meeting, at Dennis Vineyards near Albemarle, was held on Thursday April 14, 2011, after a smaller, core group met in the meantime to narrow down the strategies of strengthening the creative economy in the two counties. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars is involved with this effort.
The Institute for Emerging Issues, a public policy organization based at NC State University in Raleigh, is helping organize the effort and has defined a creative economy as “concerned with firms and workers that produce and/or distribute products and services for that which the aesthetic, intellectual and emotional engagement of the consumer represents the chief component of value for those goods and services in the marketplace.”
Areas within a creative economy can include visual arts and crafts, performing arts, design built environment, design-personal style, design-media content, film and multimedia, publishing and literary, culinary arts, cultural and heritage, experimental science and technological support/infrastructure.
The January meeting helped define the Anson and Stanly community’s assets and refine the strategies to help better promote those assets to the rest of the world.
Robert Donnan of Regional Technology Strategies (RTS) pointed out that creative economy jobs make up about 4 percent of the 36,000 jobs within the two counties, and jobs within the creative sector tend to be more resilient during a recession.
Donnan also stressed the importance of the people of Anson and Stanly counties working together. “Networking is very important,” he said. “All this happens and will be successful when everyone gets out of their silos and works together.”
Janine Rywak, director of Anson County’s cooperative extension service, stated that since the January meeting, a core group of about 80 has come up with strategies, which the participants in the most recent meeting were able to vote on.
The strategies were narrowed down to four categories: marketing and promotion, new trails and activities, agriculture and youth retention. For each category the group discussed their action steps on making things happen. Some of them included setting up a tourism information kiosk in uptown areas, creating a mobile application, advertising the newly renovated Ansonia Theatre as well as bringing together local grocers and farmers.
Lori Ivey, cooperative extension director for Stanly County said, the group will look at the votes made at the last meeting and will decide which strategies to start working on. “We will move forward,” she said. “This is not the end of the process. This is the middle and beginning of the process.”
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is an active participant in these ongoing discussions of ways to improve the creative economy. The Board looks forward to the results of this hardworking group. To find out how you can get involved with these events or for more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or at dhollars@centralina.org.
NC Research Campus Update
Find Out What’s the Latest with this World Renowned Biotech Development
Kids on Campus
Kindergartners from Kannapolis City Schools dug
up vegetables, looked inside of produce and bit into ugly fruit
at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute building at the North Carolina
Research Campus.
Almost 500 kindergartners attended the third annual science fair, “Food: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” at the Nutrition Research Institute (NRI), which was held in May. The students began their visit with the presentation, “Eat a Rainbow,” which was given by scientists who work for UNC Charlotte.
As they examined the parts of the rainbow, students were told to think about fruits and vegetables that were each color and the health benefits they provided.
“We are made of millions of pieces, and they are called cells,” said Daniel Lupu, a post-doctoral research associate for UNC Chapel Hill. “(These foods) keep our cells healthy.”
He told students from Forest Park Elementary School that many red, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C, green fruits and vegetables are good for their heart and bones, and produce that is blue improves their memory.
“From now on, look down at your plate and ask, ‘how many colors do I have?’” Lupu said. “Try to find at least two or three colors…There’s not a vegetable in the world that doesn’t have something good for you.”
After hearing about how to eat the rainbow, the kindergartners visited eight exhibits, created and run by students from A. L. Brown High School’s early childhood education program.
The exhibits were about distinguishing between unhealthy or healthy food, tasting new things like ugly fruit, and seeing how difficult it was to hop while carrying one pound of fat versus five pounds, among other things.
A. L. Brown seniors Chassiti Wright and Jariah McClure created and ran an exhibit where students had to dig in a box of dirt to find vegetables such as carrots, onions, radishes and garlic.
They found that, not only did some of the younger students know a lot about vegetables, but they also had fun digging in the dirt.
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School kindergartners Kalyssa Tetaz and Abigail Efird said their favorite part of the day was digging to find the vegetables.
Efird said she found onions and radishes in the dirt and learned they are healthy foods.
Wright said what the kindergartners learned at the science fair was important for them to know early on.
“I think it will help them later on in life, since obesity is a problem,” Wright said.
Having the kindergarten students get exposure to healthy eating and other habits early on is one of the purposes of the science fair, said Beverly Jordan, director of community outreach for NRI. The fair also gives the school system and research campus an opportunity to partner.
“The kids get excited about coming here and seeing our building and meeting real scientists,” Jordan said. “It’s great for us to interact with the community and a great way for the kids to learn about science.”
The fair was also a way for the high school students in the early childhood education program to apply what they have learned from class and their internship at the McKnight Child Development Center. This was the first time they led the exhibits at the fair.
Their teacher, Ashley Mason, said the high school students looked at the state’s standards to find out what kindergartners should study and know before creating their exhibits.
“It’s a culminating activity for us,” Mason said.
She added that being at the research campus was a wonderful resource to tap into for the high school students.
Jordan said it could be for the kindergartners, as well.
“We want to get kids to get excited about our campus and science,” Jordan said. “We want to build the next generation of scientists…Hopefully this is just the beginning of opportunities for them to grow and learn with us.”
Study Seeks to Link Fruit Drink with Reduced Inflammation
The secret to counter post-workout inflammation could be as simple
as a blend of fruit and vegetable juice.
Dole Foods is funding a study at the N.C. Research Campus that will test a special blend developed and consumed by David H. Murdock, according to Dr. David C. Nieman, professor at Appalachian State University and director of the Human Performance Lab at the research campus.
The juice has been given to clients at the California Health and Longevity Institute, which is funded by Murdock.
“This is a giant health and fitness institute,” Nieman said. “They have a wonderful cafeteria there, and they actually make that juice.”
Dr. Nick Gillitt, director of The Dole Institute was interested in seeing what the juice could do for athletes during training, Neiman explained. The two have been working together to study the effects of Murdock’s juice blend on athletes who are training at a high level.
“Fruit juices and vegetable juices contain polyphenol compounds, which are antioxidants, and these have been shown to be linked to inflammation,” Gillitt said. “So why not investigate a situation where you are giving people a big shock of these at one time?”
Polyphenols are found in most plants, but the doctor explained that there are larger amounts in berries and apples. That is what makes the juice an interesting study on inflammation.
Ten males are needed to complete the control study group. The doctors are looking for men between 18 and 32 years of age, not overweight and who train less than 150 minutes a week. They will be the base control group for the study.
“You need a control group as a base line to find out where everything is normally,” Gillitt said. “Then we look at the swimmers, athletes who are expected to be different from the control because they’re trained athletes. Then we look at the trained athletes on the juice. So there is another difference there, and that will tell the whole story.”
Blood and fitness tests will be given before the study starts, and blood will be taken at four separate dates during the study.
Ten elite swimmers with SwimMac will be given eight ounces of the juice before and after a workout for nine days. Half the group will take the juice half won’t be taking the juice. A two week “wash out period” happens when no one consumes the juice. Then, the swimmers who weren’t taking the juice will then drink the regime for nine days.
The hope for the study is to determine if a natural juice made from fruits and vegetables can dampen inflammation and allow athletes to train harder and for longer periods without injury or pain from inflammation. It could also help with possible exhaustion during hard training.
“What happens when people are training is their body goes into an elevated level of inflammation because of all the oxygen they use and stress placed on their muscles,” Gillitt said.
Inflammation and oxidated stress are potentially harmful if taken to the very limit.
“What we are hoping is that the polyphenols in our drink will downplay the inflammation response and alleviate any potential damage that that situation could occur,” Gillitt said.
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.
|
Just
in case you didn’t know!Eric Marshburn, Beyond Academics' director of admissions at UNC-Greensboro, discusses the various college classes designed for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Marshburn was one of about 40 venders present at the fifth annual Exceptional Children's Transition Fair held at SPCC. |
Young Adults, One Voice
Centralina WDB – WIA Youth Attend Session of NC General Assembly
Several
youth from the Salisbury-Rowan
Community Action Agency traveled to Raleigh on
Wednesday May 18, 2011 to visit the North Carolina General
Assembly. Centralina WDB Youth Programs Specialist
Natasha Pender also participated in this meeting.
The visit came about as a result of young adults desiring
to have one voice in matters that concern their futures.
While in Raleigh, participants from the NC Youth Summit met with Carolyn Justice, a representative from Pender County. She educated the group on the legislative process.
Carolyn talked to them about the requirements for running for office; salary and time commitment required to be a legislator; how bills are passed into law; how to research bills; where to go for information on what the General Assembly is doing at any given time and even how/where to view and listen to live feed from the General Assembly Meetings.
Carolyn Justice stressed that the public has full access to the State Complex which ensures that transparency remains a vital part of the law-making process.
Youth had the ability to ask several questions. Their biggest concerns were: education, funding for workforce programs and jobs.
The day was made complete with guided tours of the State Capitol Building, the NC Museum of History and the NC Museum of Natural Science.
What is the NC Youth Summit?
The NC Youth Summit was developed out of the idea for Young
Adults from across the state of North Carolina to come together
to evaluate and address statewide critical youth issues, identify
commonalities, share best practices, and develop value added
solutions.
The impact of the NC Youth Summit?
- Strengthening collaboration efforts among local areas;
- Empowering youth to Make a Difference in their Communities;
- Providing youth an opportunity to engage, listen and share youth issues across the state, determine commonalities and differences and develop solutions as One Voice;
- Bringing youth from different cultures and backgrounds together in respect to each other’s differences; and
- Developing relationships to drive a passionate movement among our future leaders of tomorrow
The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina
WDB Youth Council are active partners with the NC Youth Summit
and the funder of Workforce Investment Act youth services
offered by Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency. The Board
congratulates these outstanding youth for reaching for the
stars and growing towards their future. For more information
on this trip, on the NC Youth Summit or on the Centralina
Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725
or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.
Youth from Salisbury Rowan Community Action Agency attended a session of the General Assembly in Raleigh. |
A CAFÉ With a Unique Menu in Stanly County
Career Academy for Educators Prepares for Another Successful Event
This CAFE is not your everyday dining establishment. The Career Academy for Educators (CAFÉ) is a collaboration of local educators, guidance counselors and businesses in an effort to promote workforce development.
David Hollars, Executive Director of Centralina Workforce Development Board; Marion Kinley, Stanly Community College Business and Industry Training Director who is a current Centralina WDB Youth Council member and a former Centralina WDB Board member; and Tom Ramseur, President and CEO of the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce and Centralina WDB Board member, have joined forces to organize a three day event from June 21 through June 23, 2011 starting at Stanly Community College.
The purpose of the CAFÉ is to assist students in choosing their best career path considering the many educational avenues as well as opportunities to enter directly into the workforce after high school.
“What
we are doing is to open a dialogue, and we hope the educators
will take this information back to the schools and help students
make career decisions based on the skills needed in local
industry”, stated Kinley.
Many local businesses will make presentations as to the job availability, benefits provided and the skills required in the different entry-levels of employment. Tours of local companies and businesses will also be included in the CAFÉ. Guest speaker for the final session is Bob VanGorden Chair of the Centralina Workforce Development Board.
Other key players in the 2011 CAFÉ include Terri Dunlap, Stanly Community College Director of Student Service Continuing Education and Shannon Batchelor, Stanly County School Career and Technical Education Coordinator. The Career Readiness Task Force also joined in the effort to emphasize the importance of a career plan, job placement and job advancement in the community.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina
WDB Youth Council are proud partners with the Stanly Community
College and Stanly County Chamber of Commerce. We are excited
to see local partners coming up with innovative ways to connect
our youth to their future. For more information on the Centralina
WDB Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704)
348-2725 or npender@centralina.org.
Ready for the World and Off to a Jump Start!
Union County Early College Graduates its First Class
Thirty-two
Union
County Early College (UCEC) High School students
walked down the aisle this week, not only with a high school
diploma, but also with a two-year college degree.
Students got their high school diploma in a ceremony Thursday May 12, 2011 at South Piedmont Community College and their associate's degree the following day in an SPCC graduation ceremony held at the Ag Center in Monroe.
This was the first graduation ceremony for UCEC, a five-year program that allows students to earn a high school diploma and associate’s degree, while incurring none of the normal costs associated with attending college.
UCEC,
located at South Piedmont Community College, began five years
ago with 60 students entering as freshmen. The following year,
three more joined the class as sophomores. About half of those
dropped out the first year, going back to their high schools
for a variety of reasons.
Of the 63 who would have been the first graduating class, only 28 remained. Add four more students (who came in the second year and graduated early) and you have 32 Legacy Graduates getting their high school diploma, with 23 of those also getting an associate's degree from South Piedmont Community College.
The nine who didn't get their associate's still walk away with enough college credits to greatly reduce their college price tag.
This first graduating class is called the Legacy Class because they will leave a legacy of being the first graduating class.
"It was a new program," said 18-year-old graduate Paige Moore. "We were the first group to go through and anything that started, started with us."
Moore will have an associate's degree in Art, with plans to attend NC State University, majoring in political science with a concentration in international studies. Her goal is to work with a government agency that deals with other countries or to work as an ambassador.
Moore said going to Early College allowed her to show her parents and grandparents that she wasn't taking her college education for granted. "They've worked hard to set money aside for me and it was the way I could help out."
Destiny Reaves, 18, is getting an associate's degree in science, with plans to attend Western Carolina University for her bachelor's in nursing. "I'm the youngest of three children. My parents have two other children to pay for college. I knew that going to Early College would help my parents because I would have the two-year degree when I graduated from high school."
Not all students walked away with an associate's degree. Bobby Brown, 17, came to Early College in its second year of existence. He will graduate with a high school diploma and 28 college credits. He has been accepted to the Nashville Auto Diesel College in Tennessee and plans to get a degree in auto diesel technology.
"It's a big transition from the eighth grade," Brown said. "When you come in, you have to learn how to write college papers, how to be college ready. It's a big jump from middle school. Even our high school classes are pretty much honors classes."
Students who attend Early College move at a faster pace than regular high school. "The early colleges high school has to prepare them well enough that they can move right into the college courses," said school principal Victoria McGovern. "We add projects and papers to increase their writing and reading capability. It's a deliberate attempt to accelerate learning during the first two years of high school."
The goal is to get the Early College courses rigorous enough to get its students to pass a college placement test in four semesters. "We're trying to get them through a college placement test in two years where a comprehensive high school is designed to do that in four," McGovern said.
What
makes this even more remarkable is that students who attend
early college aren't necessarily the high flyers in school
and are likely to be the first in their family to go to college.
"Typically we get students who were never in honors courses
and were never pushed or prodded to do well in them,"
McGovern said.
"The students have really exceeded my academic expectations," McGovern added. "I knew it was a worthy goal, but I wasn't sure how I was going to get them there. An early college doesn’t come with a set of directions. You have to make it work within your unique singular setting. My early college is very different from the one in Stanly County, for example. Some start at 10 and go to 5 p.m. We start at 9 and go to 4 pm. How you utilize the space and the faculty and the courses availability is the challenge."
McGovern, who is retiring after this school year, worked three years past when she could have retired to see the first class through.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are strong partners with Union County Public Schools. We are excited to see our region’s youth embracing opportunities that lead them to their future. For more information on the Centralina WDB Youth Council or on the Union County Early College, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or npender@centralina.org.
 |
A group of Union County Early College High School students, the first to graduate from the five-year-old school, relax on the school's campus at South Piedmont Community College, talking about plans after graduation. Pictured, from left, are Stephen Helbig, 20, Bobby Brown, 17, Paige Moore, 18, Angelique Polk, 18, and Destiny Reaves, 18. |
Career and Technical Education Announces Logo Contest Winner
In August 2010 the Centralina Workforce Development Board announced that the Career and Technical Education section of the NC Department of Public Instruction had opened a contest for youth to create their new logo.
Well this month they have announced the winner of the contest! Congratulations goes out to Syeed Muhammad from Winston-Salem. Syeed is a senior and attends classes at the Winston-Salem Forsyth Career Center.
Syeed and the finalist from the competition will be recognized at the Career and Technical Education Summer Conference in July 2011. The Centralina Workforce Development Board will be sure to keep more information coming as more is released!
The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina WDB Youth Council are both strong supporters of Career and Technical Education in North Carolina and congratulates all CTE youth in the Centralina WDB region who participated in this great event! For more information on this contest, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.
Reaching Our Youth and Improving Our Region? Outstanding!
Cooperative Christian Ministry and A.L. Brown High School Team Up to Help the Those Less Fortunate in Cabarrus County
Ronnie Long’s family needed a computer but did not have the ability to purchase one. However, in May, he was the first to receive a free computer that was refurbished by high school students. “It is a wonderful opportunity to get a computer,” Long said. “This gives me an opportunity to take what I learn from the classroom home and practice what I learn.”
He is currently a participant in Cooperative Christian Ministry’s LifeBuilder Ministries computer training program and looks forward to succeeding, especially with his new computer.
His is one of 17 computers that students from A.L. Brown High School have refurbished in the new Student Training and Recycling Service (STARS) program. The program began in November of 2010 and is a community partnership made possible because of grants, donation and volunteers.
Two days a week, students work after school with volunteers in the technology field at the New Piney Grove Outreach Center in Kannapolis to recycle and refurbish donated computers.
Ed Hosack, Executive Director for Cooperative Christian Ministry, called the program a triple win. “It’s a win for young people because the high school identifies young people who will benefit from a structure, after school program and gain confidence,” Hosack said. “It’s a win for the community and environment because they are taking old hardware into the facility, recycling various components and properly disposing of hazardous materials.”
Some computers, such as the one Long now owns, are able to be saved and refurbished. The STARS program is also donating five of those computers to the YMCA’s so it’s after school students and local adults can improve their reading skills.
While some computers are able to be saved, others are not. Those are then taken to Powerhouse Recycling, a certified computer recycler. Since it began, this program has recycled almost two tons of computer parts and safely disposed 730 pounds of hazardous computer waste.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are strong partners with A.L. Brown High School and Cooperative Christian Ministry and are proud to see their partners reaching out in innovative ways to teach our youth and better the community. For more information on the Centralina Youth Council or on this program, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.
There's a JobLink Near You!
Anson County JobLink Career Center
116 West Wade Street
Wadesboro, NC 28170
Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center
2275 Kannapolis Highway
Concord, NC 28027
Iredell County JobLink Career Center - Mooresville
Center
470-A North Broad Street
Mooresville, NC 28115
Iredell County JobLink Career Center - Statesville Center
133 Island Ford Road
Statesville, NC 28625
Lincoln County JobLink Career Center
529 North Aspen Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Rowan County JobLink Career Center
1904 South Main Street
Salisbury, NC 28144
Stanly County JobLink Career Center
2215 US Highway 52 North
Albemarle, NC 28001
Union County JobLink Career Center
1125 Skyway Drive
Monroe, NC 28110
For more information on Centralina region JobLink Career Centers, click here.
Commitment to workforce excellence
What's Happening in the Region?
Comings, Goings, Kudos…
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Rob Jackson has been named NC Principal
of the Year by state educators. This is a first for Union
County! Jackson is the principal at Cuthbertson
High School in Waxhaw. 
Cheryl
Richards has been named the lead executive for
Northeastern University - Charlotte graduate
school. Richards comes from Central Piedmont Community
College and was the dean of the Cato Campus and presides
over the professional careers division. 
Dallas
Bragg, Executive Director for Mountain
State University in Mooresville has been named
as the chair of the Workforce Education Committee for
the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce.
He is replacing former chair Brett Fansler, Dean of Mitchell
Community College’s Mooresville campus. 
Ron
Smith has been selected as the new Iredell
County Manager. He will replace outgoing county
manager Joel Mashburn, who is retiring on June 30, 2011.
• Centralina Workforce Development
Board meeting • Centralina JobLink Career Center
Managers quarterly meeting • Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership
– Learning Exchange • Advanced Manufacturing Awards event • Independent Colleges Access Network
Spring Forum • Find Your IDEAL Career Match! • Looking for Work at 50+ • Healthcare Career Pathways • Nerds are Cool, Technology is Hot,
Careers in Computers • Identifying Your Career Options • Stand Out from the Competition • SHARE Network Access Point Volunteer
Training • Resume Clinic • Looking for Work with a Criminal
Record • Resume Clinic • Job Seeking Strategies for Professionals • Resume Clinic • Looking for Work at 50+ • It’s Not Who You Know, It’s
Who You Meet • SEED – Students Engaging in
Entrepreneurial Development • Resume Clinic • Letter Writing for the Job Seeker • Interview Techniques • Identifying Your Career Options • Online Job Hunting • Stand Out from the Competition • Resume Clinic • Energy Careers for a Bright Future
The North Carolina Workforce Development Training Center Training offers many great training sessions for every workforce development professional. The Center can even do online trainings for you and your colleagues. Some of the great training sessions include: Keeping Your Cool (When Others are HOT!), Assessment: The Foundation of Case Management, Delivering Excellent Customer Service, and Youth Services: A Variety of Topics. These are just some of the great training sessions they can put together for your team. So give them a call and see what they can do for you! Contact Robin Broome at (919) 306-1819 or visit their website for more information at www.ncwdtc.com. • Career Development Facilitator Programs |
| Visit
our website at www.centralinaworks.com
to learn more about the Centralina WDB |
| To
learn more about the Centralina Council of Governments please visit
www.centralina.org |
| CentralinaWORKS is a publication of the Centralina Workforce Development Board. If you do not wish to receive this E-Newsletter in the future, please send a return e-mail and type "REMOVE" in the Subject Line and you will be removed from our distribution list. The CWDB does not share its distribution list with other organizations. Please feel free to share this E-Newsletter with co-workers and other business associates. |