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Over 100 people attended the 4th Annual Summit from all over the 16 county region. |
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Centralina WDB + Local Businesses = Success!
Centralina Workforce Development Board Receives Approval to Help 8 More Local Businesses Succeed
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to recognize the eight (8) area businesses that have received Incumbent Workforce Development Program funding in the first round for 2009-2010. These grants will provide a total of $ 157,843 in economic development investment with local companies and will provide new skills training to 391 employees in our counties. The Centralina Workforce Development Board approved these grants with funding provided by the North Carolina Department of Commerce Commission on Workforce Development. Each employer is receiving the funds to help upgrade the skills of their current workforce. We thank the companies, the training providers, and the employees for their willingness to build a stronger workforce and business environment in our region. Centralina WDB, The Competitive Force in our Global Economy.
Anson Children’s Center in Polkton (Anson County) serves children who are developmentally disabled. They will partner with South Piedmont Community College to train staff at their Polkton site in Anson County and the Clear Creek site in Cabarrus County. The Center plans to train 150 staff members. RHA Howell Career Centers, Inc. – Anson Children’s Center will be receiving $ 15,000 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded October 30, 2009.
Square D Company in Salisbury (Rowan County) will train 13 employees in process improvement. North Carolina State University’s Industrial Extension Service will provide customized training in Lean manufacturing topics to build a foundation for a Lean culture at the company. The Square D Company will be receiving $ 24,759 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded October 30, 2009.
Toter Inc. in Statesville (Iredell County), after completing a successful Incumbent Worker contract in 2008, Toter will now train 39 of their employees in Lean manufacturing and leadership development. Mitchell Community College will focus on training a select group of employees in a Train the Trainer program. Toter, Inc. will be receiving $ 21,350 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded October 30, 2009.
Statesville Roofing & Building Restoration in Statesville (Iredell County) will train 6 of their employees in Value Stream Mapping, Continuous Improvement, and Standard Work and will conduct a 5S Visual Systems workshop. The company will contract with North Carolina State University’s Industrial Extension Service to deliver the training. Statesville Roofing & Building Restoration, Inc. will be receiving $ 23,500 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded October 30, 2009.
Deals Auto Glass Service, Inc. in Kannapolis (Rowan County) is an independently owned and operated auto, residential and commercial glass repair and replacement company. The company will contract with the National Glass Association and Contact Point to train its 21 employees. The training is focused on growing a greater market share through better customer service and upgrading the skills of their installers. Deals Auto Glass Service, Inc. will be receiving $ 14,836 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded October 30, 2009.
Piedmont HealthCare, P.A. in Statesville (Iredell County) is one of the largest physician-owned healthcare providers in the state. Formed in 1996, they now have 39 locations with over 90 physicians on staff. As a leading employer in Iredell County, they propose to partner with Mitchell Community College to train 13 of their employees in Six Sigma Green Belt. The company will have Mitchell CC deliver a combination of on-line training and a “hands-on” learning experience for Lean office training. Piedmont HealthCare, P.A. will be receiving $ 23,478 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded October 30, 2009.
Accuma Corporation in Statesville (Iredell County) is a manufacturer of injection molded plastic containers, lids, vent plugs and accessories for the automotive industry. The company proposes to train 64 of their employees in topics such as problem solving, injection molding, basic electric and use of Microsoft software. They plan to contract with Mitchell Community College and RJG Inc. to deliver the training components. Accuma Corporation will be receiving $ 22,920 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded October 30, 2009.
Radiator Specialty Company in Indian Trail (Union County) is an 85 year old chemical company, now with its local facilities located in Union County plans to train 85 production employees and office associates. They will contract with Team Interplay, Inc. for Teambuilding Training and SkillSoft Seminars for Microsoft training. Radiator Specialty Company will be receiving $ 12,500 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded October 30, 2009.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is now accepting applications for the second round of Incumbent Worker training funds for 2009-2010. The deadline for submission of applications to Centralina is Wednesday January 20, 2010. The Centralina WDB looks forward to working with new local businesses to submit applications, as well as, past companies who want to resubmit from previous periods. For more information and to review the revised guidelines and application please visit the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s website here or contact Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Coordinator at 704.348.2710 or vcarter@centralina.org. Vail is also available to assist companies in the completion of the application.
New Healthcare Training Program
Stanly Community College to Offer Healthcare Informatics
Stanly
Community College (SCC) will offer a new training program
this spring for those interested in learning about healthcare informatics.
This new and pioneering field blends information technology and
healthcare together to work synergistically with resources and devices
to optimize the storage and use of data in healthcare records and
management.
Healthcare informatics utilizes computer hardware, specialized software, and communication devices that collect, analyze, and transmit medical processes. The goal is to formulate a standard approach for the healthcare industry.
The
JobsNOW “12 in 6” program is a collaborative
effort between the North
Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Development,
Centralina Workforce
Development Board, and the North
Carolina Community College System. This program is
subsidized under the Workforce Investment Act through funds by the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
As part of the JobsNOW “12 in 6” initiative, training will address the workforce challenges related to ensuring that enough workers are trained with the right skills for the current economy. The goal is to support training activities that can be completed in less than six months, lead to recognized credentials and have flexible hours.
The healthcare informatics program will teach students about: designing databases in order to produce electronic information; explore the importance of accuracy and privacy in the healthcare industry; use electronic medical record software to convert data into electronic format; statistical systems/database; integrating software; human resource development; and more.
Financial assistance may be available for unemployed individuals. For more information, you may contact the Stanly County JobLink Career Center at (704) 982-2183.
For more details about the Healthcare Informatics program, call (704) 991-0175 or visit Stanly Community College’s website at www.stanly.edu.
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Entrepreneurial Training for Displaced Workers Comes to MooresvilleMitchell Community College Reaches Out to Displaced Workers Through funding provided by Governor Perdue's Charlotte Regional Economic and Workforce Recovery initiative, this program is offered at no cost to displaced workers wanting to pursue business ownership as a career. This program is part of FastTrac® LaunchPad, a joint initiative of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Deluxe Corporation Foundation. The program will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, December 1-17, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Mooresville Center at Mitchell Community College. To apply for admittance, go to www.fasttrac.org and complete the on-line application. Click on "Program Locator – Get Started" and enter your zip code. Select the Charlotte Region Programs for Displaced Workers then follow the link for the Mitchell Community College location. This program will also be offered in the spring. For more information, contact Mike Tucker, Director of the Small Business Center at Mitchell Community College at 704-878-3227.
Research Park Planned for KannapolisDPE Investments Preps for a Gateway to the NC Research CampusA Charlotte company plans to break ground next year on a $35 million “eco-friendly” commercial and retail park in Kannapolis that it hopes will become a gateway to the NC Research Campus and create hundreds of jobs. The 32 acre Research Commerce Park will be developed by DPE Investments at the south-west corner of the Lane Street interchange with Interstate 85, and Exit 63. Plans for the park include a dozen parcels for commercial use, including give outparcels for retail development and two hotel sites. When built out in three to four years, company officials say, the site will include 275,000 square feet of mixed commercial space. The anchor tenant will be a hotel and conference center at the corner of the interchange. Other possible tenants include a retail pharmacy, a convenience store and office buildings.
Please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for updates on this exciting development in our region! Regional Spotlight: Local Business Fills Specialty NicheT.S. Woodworks in Union County Leads the Field in Custom Cabinetry
“Brian owned the lot out here and originally wanted to put a 10,000 square foot building, but we were really able to take advantage of the space and increased it out to 18,000 square feet,” Powell said. “We are really pleased to be in the City of Monroe and as we developed the property there was a great deal of cooperation and understanding that made it a wonderful experience.”
“Seeing a company like T.S. Woodworks come into Monroe and succeed is such a benefit to the community,” Plate said. “Every community needs businesses like this and when you have one that is as dedicated and as professional as they are, it only has positive effects on Monroe and our community.” Although the new shop has been open for a little more than a year, T.S. Woodworks has managed major projects for more than 20 years. Powell and Reece have also managed to secure enough business to keep their 13 employees busy on projects that range from custom kitchen cabinets to putting the finishing touches on the Hickory Grove Library. T.S. Woodworks is just one of the many great businesses in the Centralina region that continue to help grow the area and make it strong in workforce development. The Centralina Workforce Development Board values all the businesses in its region and thanks them for all their hard work in helping to make this area one of the best in the state! For more information on T.S. Woodworks please visit their website at www.tswoodworks.com. |
The
company said Research Commerce Park, to be located entirely
within the city limits of Kannapolis, will be “eco-friendly,”
with three bio-retention ponds and a 300 foot buffer from
Lake Fisher. All structures will be built with natural or
recycled materials, with an emphasis on LEED certification,
a recognized standard for environmentally friendly construction.
Custom
functional works of handcrafted precision are meticulously
created in the 18,000 square-foot shop and more than 75
years of experience in construction and contracting lead
the way. The woodworker’s dream shop is the brainchild
of partners Bob Powell and Brian
Reece who have known each other for more than a
decade. The two have brokered a partnership based on relaying
on one another’s strengths: Bob, the more administrative
and business side, and Brian, the more creative and visionary
side.
Monroe
Economic Development
The
Incumbent Workforce Development training is designed to
upgrade employees' skills and increase companies' competitiveness
in the global marketplace.
Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton was in Concord at the State of the Region Summit to discuss with area leaders where the community stands in regards to moving past the current recession. |
Senator Hagan Hosts Economic and Workforce Development Roundtable
Senator Provides Region’s Leaders Outlook on the Future
Putting
the Charlotte region to work was the topic of a forum hosted
Friday November 13, 2009 by U.S. Senator Kay Hagan.
Business leaders, educators, workforce specialists, and
Mayor-elect Anthony Foxx met with Hagan
(D-N.C.) in an economic roundtable discussion at Central
Piedmont Community College's West Campus. Centralina
WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated
in this meeting.
"Washington has been talking a lot about health care recently, but I really think the number one issue on people's minds in North Carolina is jobs," Hagan said.
In the past 20 years, unemployment in Mecklenburg County has exceeded 6 percent only twice. It is now at 11 percent in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties and above 13 percent in Gaston and other counties in the region. In September 2009, over $24 million in unemployment benefits were distributed in Mecklenburg County alone.
Tim
Beam of the North Carolina Employment Security
Commission said there is often a negative connotation associated
with unemployment insurance, but the program helps drive
the economy. "We tend to think of it in terms of individual
households," said Beam. "But those dollars are
pumped back into the economy. That money isn't saved; it
is spent immediately."
As a member of the Senate's Small Business Committee, Hagan said she is committed to working with federal, state and local officials towards economic recovery. Hagan is also working with Senate leaders to ensure that financial regulatory reform is enacted in a way that ensures security and stability in the industry.
"We've got to invest in the new energy economy,"
said Hagan. "The green energy and all of the energy
sector jobs that will be coming to this area will be huge
for a lot of people."
Hagan said that she also wants to focus on jobs in the defense
industry.
"In North Carolina we really have a huge military footprint," she said "There are so many veterans in North Carolina that could quickly go into defense contracting jobs."
Urban League President and CEO Patrick Graham said that as leaders seek to expand businesses and bring more jobs to the area, he hopes to see more focus on minorities and disadvantaged communities.
"We have to find a way to get folks who were traditionally disenfranchised, even before the economic downturn to be able to take advantage of the new economy," said Graham. "And this is the perfect time to do so because we are on the upswing of really building something that's new."
Graham said time is right for entrepreneurship in minority communities, and training, workforce development and financial literacy programs are essential. "If we don't do that, we will find ourselves left behind again," he said.
For more information about this exciting development, please continue to look to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly newsletter.
Calling All Businesses: Centralina WDB Needs Your Input!
Survey Seeks Information on How We Can Help Your Business
The Centralina Workforce Development Board needs your help! Many of the ideas for complimentary services we deliver came from employers like you. As a result, the Centralina Workforce Development Board has been able to respond to real needs of the business community as we continue to be customer driven. As the lead workforce development and delivery agency in your area, our planning has allowed us to focus resources where they are needed.
So, please CLICK HERE to complete a SHORT survey and share how we can best serve your business. An investment of 3-4 minutes to get your input is extremely valuable to us. As a thank you, your name will be entered into our monthly drawing for a special gift from the Centralina WDB.
The few minutes you share with us gives back to your community as well as your business. If you have any questions about the survey or would like to give more input, please contact Vail Carter at (704) 348-2710 or by e-mail at vcarter@centralina.org.
November's Business Survey Prize Winner is ...
Each month, the Centralina Workforce Development Board holds a drawing from Business Surveys that area businesses have completed and posted on our website.
Centralina is pleased to announce that the winner of this month’s drawing is the Gamewell Mechanical in Salisbury, NC (Rowan County). Randy Johnson of Gamewell Mechanical completed and submitted the survey. We thank Randy for helping us with our continuous improvement feedback process! For more information about Gamewell Mechanical, please visit their www.gamewellmech.com.
If you haven't completed the survey, you can do so now by going to our website. It only takes a couple of minutes and by completing the survey, it will guarantee your entry into our next drawing.
For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Employer Survey and the business services available through the Board and our local JobLink Career Centers, please contact Vail Carter at (704) 348-2710 or by email at vcarter@centralina.org.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is in YOUR Community!
During the month of November 2009, 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 Workforce/Economic Development Summit, Iredell Manufacturers Council, and YES Conference events detailed in this e-newsletter, here are some the activities of the Board members and WDB staff for November.
Stanly County Chamber of Commerce – Annual Planning Retreat – held on Friday November 20 at the Agri-Civic Center in Albemarle. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director presented information on the State of the Workforce Study update and the Centralina WDB’s role in helping to build a high quality workforce for Stanly County. Over 80 business, education, and government leaders attended this event which was presented by Tom Ramseur, Stanly County Chamber President/CEO and also a Centralina WDB member.
Rapid Response Team visit – held on Thursday November 5 at MI Windows in Salisbury. Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative participated in this meeting along with NC Department of Commerce and local JobLink partners (ESC, Rowan-Cabarrus CC, etc.) to provide information and assistance to soon be laid off dislocated workers.
Mooresville Graded Schools Career Bridge meeting – held on Monday November 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. This meeting included a review of the Mooresville Schools Economic Summit which was held on Tuesday November 3 at the Charles Mack Citizens Center in Mooresville and attended by over 500 students, parents, and employers.
Centralina WDB Youth Council meeting – held on Monday November 30 at the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County in Concord. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director and Natasha Pender, Centralina WDB Program Associate provided staff support for this meeting.
Centralina WDB Community Relations Committee meeting – held on Monday November 30 at the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County in Concord. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director and Natasha Pender, Centralina WDB Program Associate provided staff support for this meeting.
Charlotte Regional Workforce Development Partnership meeting – held on Friday November 6 at York Technical College in Rock Hill, SC. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director participated in this meeting where over 30 community college and workforce professionals from throughout the region attended. On behalf of the Competitive Workforce Alliance, David Hollars presented an update on the Alliance’s workforce efforts for the past several months.
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program/Fiscal monitoring – conducted on November 4 & 5 by Patricia White, Centralina WDB Operations Manager with READ, Inc. – Centralina WDB WIA Youth services provider for Anson County at READ, Inc. offices in Wadesboro.
Title V – Older Worker presentation – provided by David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director on Thursday November 19. The meeting included over 30 Title V program directors and staff from around the state.
Charlotte Energy Initiative Taskforce – Workforce Development meeting – held on Thursday November 5 at CPCC-Harris Campus. Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative participated in this meeting involving leaders from the energy industry, education, workforce, and private business.
NC Workforce Development Training Center Board meeting – held on Tuesday November 10 at the Training Center in Raleigh. David Hollars, Centralina WDB Executive Director, participated in this meeting.
Charlotte Regional Economic & Workforce Recovery Initiative Team meeting – held on Wednesday November 18 at the Professional Career Center. This group is implementing plans and strategies to address the current and anticipated layoffs from the financial service sector businesses in the Charlotte region, as requested by Governor Beverly Perdue. Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative participated in this meeting and provided an update on specific solutions for the faith-based/community-based connections.
Workforce Business Development and Assistance –
provided by Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative
for the following area companies and organizations:
• Incumbent Worker Contract Monitoring (mid-term visit) at
Stanly Fixtures (Aquadale – Stanly County) – November
10
• Incumbent Worker Contract Monitoring (mid-term visit) at
Performance Fibers Operations (Salisbury - Rowan County) –
November 10
• Business Development visit at International Automotive Components
(Albemarle – Stanly County) – November 10
• Attended Business Roundtable at CPCC and gave a verbal report
on training activity for businesses and opportunities for military
contracting – November 12
• Met with Reggie Estes, representative of East Lincoln Christian
Ministries at the Goodwill Industries Job Connection/SHARE network
site in Concord to discuss feasibility of opening a site in eastern
part of Lincoln County – November 16
• Incumbent Worker Contract Monitoring (mid-term visit) at
Engineered Sintered Component (Troutman – Iredell County)
– November 19
• Conducted Incumbent Worker grant orientation session with
Toter, Inc.(Statesville – Iredell County) – November
19
• Conducted Incumbent Worker grant orientation session with
RHA Howell Care Centers (Wadesboro - Anson County) – November
23
• Conducted Incumbent Worker grant orientation session with
Radiator Specialty Company (Indian Trail – Union County) –
November 24
• Researched and prepared labor market Information report
for Mitchell Community College. For new Career Readiness Certification
promotional brochure – November 25
• Participated in Economic Forum held at Central Piedmont
Community College – November 2
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.
Iredell JobLink Career Center Holds Job Fair for Veterans
Community Comes Out for “Focus on Veterans Job Fair”
On Thursday November 19, 2009, the Iredell County JobLink Career Centers sponsored a career fair for veterans in Iredell County. The “Focus On Veterans Job Fair” brought veterans together with a wide variety of employers who were looking for specific skills offered by men and women who have served in the armed forces.
The Job Fair was held from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Mooresville National Guard Armory on North Broad Street. The event was well attended by veterans in the community, as well as businesses.
Among the employers on hand, with exhibits illustrating their job opportunities, there were representatives of law enforcement, health care, manufacturing, insurance, financial services, education and staffing agencies. Military or government related agencies on hand included the US Secret Service, Homeland Security and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with the Iredell County JobLink Career Center and is excited to see them reaching out to our veterans in the region. For more information on the “Focus on Veterans Job Fair”, please contact Bill Boyd at (704) 878-4241, extension 224 or by email at William.boyd@ncmail.net.
Community College Opens Iraq Campus
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Starts Distance Education Program for Soldiers
More
than 20 soldiers from North Carolina are taking classes thousands
of miles from campus through Rowan-Cabarrus
Community College’s paramedic hybrid distance
education program.
Paramedic programs have been delivered through a partnership between the college and Cabarrus County Emergency Medical Services since 1990. The new hybrid distance education program, which allows students to receive class information online, is providing an alternative to the traditional paramedic training program for a military cohort, the college said.
There are 23 students enrolled in the new program, and 11 who are actively engaged. Those enrolled are located at three bases in Iraq, while two are in the US as a control group.
Everyone enrolled in the overall program earns the same amount of credits and clinical hours, but their experiences are different, said Will Cannon, a paramedic with Cabarrus County EMS and a US Army combat medic deployed in Iraq. Cannon is the instructor for the program in Iraq.
“The main difference is all participants (in Iraq) are actively engaged as medics,” Cannon said. “We have immediate gratification. There’s a good chance of using (a lesson the next day).”
Cannon
said he finds times when most of the students will be available
to meet for class, and added that the majority of the material is
online. For the hybrid military program, there are 158 hours in
the classroom and 524 online hours. The traditional program has
682 hours in the classroom.
Both versions of the paramedic program have 500 clinical hours. For those who are deployed, some of the clinical hours will be in Iraq, but because they are serving a limited group of people there, they will have the majority of clinical hours when they return to the US.
After their return, those soldiers can continue their work in the classroom and clinical setting to prepare for state testing. If they are successful, they will earn certification as paramedics.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and is happy to see the College stretching the boundaries of education and reaching our soldiers. The Board fully believes that this is a group breaking program and wishes it success in the future. For more information on this program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by e-mail at eclamp@centralina.org.
Duke Energy Grants Benefits Machining Students
South Piedmont Community College Advanced Manufacturing Program Receives $247,500 Grant
South
Piedmont Community College’s (SPCC) Machining
Technology Program received two new machines in October that are
loaded with options advanced instructional opportunities and expectations.
College officials say it’s the most important investment in
manufacturing training in the college’s 10-year history. And
they owe it all to a $247,500 grant from the Duke Energy
Community College Grant Program.
“This equipment will move us to the forefront of training in advanced machining technology,” SPCC President Dr. John McKay said. “There are only three other community colleges in North Carolina with this level of machines.”
It’s
the third Duke Energy grant awarded to SPCC’s Advanced Manufacturing
programs in the last two years. Since 2007, the Machining Technology
and Mechatronics programs have secured more than $700,000 in grants.
In that same time period, those programs have trained more than
175 workers.
“SPCC is committed to supporting the manufacturing sector by providing a highly-skilled workforce,” Stuart Wasilowski, vice president of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, said. “I think our Duke Energy grant efforts prove we’re serious about growing our services and giving our students every possible advantage that we can.”
The machining program was created in direct response to local manufacturers need for a trained workforce. The new HAAS machines are equipped with extra options including 4- and 5-axis, live tooling, touch setting, probing and programmable cooling nozzles.
The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with South Piedmont Community College and congratulates them on this wonderful news. The Board continues to look forward to more successful graduates from the program. For more information about the Advanced Manufacturing program at SPCC, please contact Emily Clamp at (704) 348-2732 or by email at eclamp@centralina.org.
South Piedmont Community College Machining Coordinator Mike Willard inspects his machine shop’s new HAAS SL-20 Turning Center. SPCC’s Machining Technology Program received two new HAAS machines Oct. 28 valued at more than $240,000. The purchase was made possible from a grant through the Duke Energy Community College Grant Program. The new machines are part of SPCC’s commitment to deliver a highly-skilled workforce to the manufacturing industry. |
Local Community College Helps Displaced Workers
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Assists Those Affected by the Tobacco Industry
Tobacco Workers who lost their jobs when Philip Morris closed its Concord plant in July and others affected by changes in the tobacco industry can receive assistance!
Thanks
to Rowan-Cabarrus Community
College (RCCC) and their Project Skill-UP
individuals affected can be helped.
RCCC’s
R3 Center is using a $60,000 grant from the NC
Tobacco Trust Fund Commission to provide career assistance
to tobacco workers, their family members and local business affected
by the changes in the tobacco industry.
The NC General Assembly created the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission in 2000 to help reduce the impact of declining tobacco production on workers, including farmers and others employees.
The
college is currently recruiting former tobacco workers for the Skill-UP
program, which is designed to provide education and training for
former tobacco workers. The program offers career exploration activities
and job placement, as well as programs to help folks earn educational
credentials.
Philip Morris ended production on July 29 after manufacturing cigarettes for about 27 years at the plant in Concord. About 1,000 workers lost their jobs when the plant closed.
For more information on the Project Skill-UP please contact Rowan-Cabarrus Community College at (704) 216-7201 or you can visit them online at www.rowancabarrus.edu/r3center.
NC Research Campus Update
Find Out What’s the Latest with this World Renowned Biotech Development
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Rolls Closer to Opening
Building at Research Campus
Construction at the new Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC)
building on the NC
Research Campus is slightly ahead of schedule and has
passed several critical milestones.
The building has a roof, power and all major equipment on site,
said Jeff Owens, project leader for Turner Construction, general
contractor for the Research Campus.
RCCC trustees and administrators toured the three-story building this month with Cherie Berry, commissioner of the NC Department of Labor. The 62,322 square-foot building is scheduled to be completed in June. The college will spend the summer moving in and calibrating instruments, with classes starting in August.
RCCC’s two new biotechnology degree programs will move to the building, as well as continuing education programs related to biotech and clinical research.
Research Campus Receives $1 Million Grant
On Thursday November 19, 2009, the United States Department of Agriculture
awarded the NC Research Campus a $1 million grant.
The USDA grant will create the Kannapolis Scholars Program and pay 20 of the state’s “best and brightest” graduate students to study health and nutrition at the Research Campus.
The grant will expose graduate students to a transdisciplinary approach to problem-solving, said Dr. Jack Odle, a nutrition professor at NC State. Odle led the effort to apply for the grant and will direct the program.
A relatively new concept, transdisciplinary education suggests that many scientific questions are so complex, they cannot be answered by scientists with expertise in only one area. Rather, they require scientists with training that stretches across disciplines.
The grant will provide Kannapolis scholars with roughly $38,000 over a 15-month period for tuition, housing and other expenses. A key element of the program is what Odle called a 10-week “rotation” each summer in Kannapolis, when students will work in a lab on campus.
Thirty faculty members from all the universities have agreed to mentor the Kannapolis scholars. Students must design programs of study that involve mentors from at least two of the eight universities with a presence at the campus.
Leaders Look to Future of Biotechnology
A Charlotte-based polymer company has leased a 3,000 square-foot
lab at the Research Campus. Mallard Creek Polymers already has moved
into the NC State University building in Kannapolis, where the company
will employ 10 people.
The company chose Kannapolis because the design of the Research Campus will enable the company to quickly develop customized products, Vice President Dan Neri said.
Mallard Creek produces and sells a wide range of specialty styrene-butadiene and acrylic emulsion products for a variety of industries, including adhesives, textiles, personal care, specialty paper and construction. The 40 year old company employs 80 people.
Please stay tuned to the Centralina Workforce Development Board’s monthly E-Newsletter for more developments on these exciting stories. 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.
There's a JobLink Near You! Anson County JobLink Career Center Stanly County JobLink Career Center For more information on Centralina region JobLink Career Centers, click here. Commitment to workforce excellence |
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Youth Say YES to their FutureCabarrus Regional Chamber Hosts Annual Youth Employability Skills ConferenceThe Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Youth Employability Skills (YES) Conference for Cabarrus County high school juniors and seniors on Friday November 20, 2009. Centralina WDB Program Associate Natasha Pender participated in this exciting event for local youth.
Guest presenters included Jason Pope, franchise owner of Chick-Fil-A of Carolina Mall, Cornelia Kerr with the Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce, Kristi Parlier of Kannapolis City Schools, Kerry Motley of RCCC, and Sandra Benfield of CMC- Northeast. Topics centered around “Dress for Success”, “Choosing your Attitude”, Resume writing, and Customer Service. Each youth also received a goodie bag full of helpful supplies courtesy of the Centralina Workforce Development Board. The event was held at the Cabarrus Family Medicine and co-sponsored by Duke Energy and Centralina Workforce Development Board; associate sponsors were Chick-Fil-A at Carolina Mall, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Wachovia/Wells Fargo, and Cress Brothers Plumbing. The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council would like to congratulate all the youth that participated in the Youth Employability Skills Conference! Your hard work and dedication to yourself and your community will continue to make this region shine. For more information on the YES Conference or the Centralina Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or by e-mail at npender@centralina.org.
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Students
from Cabarrus County and Kannapolis City Schools participated
in the daylong event that covered employability skills.
Professionals looking to hire, search for “soft”
skills as one way to differentiate between potential candidates.
The YES Conference was created to identify these skills
and to emphasize their importance in getting and keeping
a job.
ACEC
was recognized at a statewide venue for North Carolina schools
with high graduation rates in Raleigh on Monday October
12, 2009. ACEC principal Deborah Davis
attended the event with teachers Tracey Small
and Kristin McRae.
Anson
County Early College was among 17 schools and 12 school
districts that were recognized for having the highest high
school graduation rates in the state of North Carolina.
The
school hosted a career fair Wednesday November 18, 2009,
and the gymnasium walls were lined with tables topped with
freebies, informational pamphlets and company brochures.
As
one of several prevention methods being utilized by the
district, the new Change A Life Mentor Program seeks
to pair students with adults from the community who can
provide the encouragement some children need in order to
be successful.
But
more mentors are needed in order to reach all the students
individually identified by school counselors and administrators.
Otherwise, those kids remain at risk for dropping out.
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What's Happening in the Region?Comings, Goings, Kudos…
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• Centralina Workforce Development
Board meeting • Centralina WDB JobLink Career
Center Managers quarterly meeting • Centralina WDB Executive Planning
Committee Meeting • Centralina WDB Workforce Readiness
Committee Meeting • Discovering DHMRI: “Technology
Buffet”: Enabling the Science of the DHMRI • OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS ETHICS &
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT - RESENTED BY • Leadership Skills of Santa: SBC
Lunch and Learn Seminar
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. |
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Congratulations
to Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars
who along with 9 fellow WDB directors and staff
from around the state completed the year long NC
Workforce Development Leadership Academy. Way
to go David! 
Wayne
King, a long-time supporter of the
Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County was
named the 2009 Board Member of the Year by the North
Carolina Area Council in Raleigh. Wayne was selected
out of 840 board members representing 46 organizations.
Congratulations Wayne! 
Ken
Deal is stepping down as Director of Administration
after 23 years in Rowan County government.
He will retire effective December 1, 2009. 
Jennifer
Gullette has announced that she will resign
from her position as Executive Director of the United
Way in Stanly County. She will continue to
serve in the director position until December 31, 2009.
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Visit
our website at www.centralinaworks.com
to learn more about the Centralina WDB |
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To
learn more about the Centralina Council of Governments please visit
www.centralina.org
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