The Centralina Workforce Development Board is in YOUR Community!

Check Out All the Things We did During April!

During the month of April 2012, 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 NC Youth Summit, the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership, local Career Connections events, and the Rowan JobLink Job Fair, here are some the activities of the Board members and WDB staff for April:

Centralina Workforce Development Board meeting - held on Tuesday April 10, 2012 at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College SOUTH campus in Concord. The Board had the opportunity to hear from Danny Giddens, Grants Manager with the NC Department of Commerce-Division of Workforce Solutions. Danny discussed state and national workforce issues. He outlined the changes occurring at Commerce with the merger with ESC, the work of the four committees dedicated to merger issues, the push for new technology for the workforce system, and the recommendations from the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee.

Centralina WDB Youth Specialist Natasha Pender presented results from the recent NC Youth Summit and discussed the Board’s work with NC REAL. Centralina WDB Business Services Coordinator Vail Carter presented results from the Business Comfort index and an economic outlook for the region. The Board approved the submission of 3 Incumbent Worker grant applications. Board members suggested topics for discussion for next month’s strategic planning session.

Details on WIA funding for PY 2012, information on the new Allied Health RSP Steering Committee, information on the RBI conference scheduled for June 7-8 in Concord were also presented as well as the latest labor market information for the region. Information on regional initiatives and updates on other key workforce issues were also provided.

Strategic Planning Session meeting – held on Wednesday April 11 in Monroe. Centralina WDB chair Janet Hudson, WDB vice-chair Bob Stowe, Board consultant John Metcalf, and Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars discussed agenda, topics, and planned outcomes for the Board’s strategic planning session event in May.

FBLA 58th Annual State Leadership Conference - held on Friday April 13 at the University Hilton. Centralina WDB Youth Program Specialist Natasha Pender participated in this youth conference of future business leaders.

Charlotte Regional 2030 Vision Symposium – held on Friday April 27 at Central Piedmont CC – Harris Campus. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting.

NC Workforce Development Board Directors Council meeting – held on Tuesday and Wednesday April 17 and 18 at JobLink Career Center in High Point. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this meeting involving NC Department of Commerce – Division of Workforce Development staff members.

North Carolina Employment & Training Association (NCETA) Spring conference – held on Wednesday-Friday April 18-20 in Greensboro. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this conference and presented the Re-Employment Bridge Institute concept at a workshop along with representatives from Rowan-Cabarrus CC.

NC Leadership Academy – Learning Network Exchange – held Tuesday and Wednesday April 3-4 in Durham. Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars participated in this professional development session.

Workforce Business Development and Assistance – provided by Vail Carter, Centralina WDB Business Services Representative for the following area companies:

• Business Services meeting with Marion Kinley, Business and Industry Training Director, Catherine Spence and Tom George, Director of the Small Business Center of Stanly Community College in Albemarle to discuss the elements of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Career Pathway Initiative and stackable credentialing - Stanly County – April 2.
  
• Business Services meeting with Holly Shaver, Youth Development Specialist at the Resource Development Center, Inc. in Albemarle. Discussed marketing of the OJT program and strategies for reaching local employers. Developed a contact list from the Business Wise database for future contacts - Stanly County – April 2.
  
• Participated in and presented at Kerr-Tarr WDB Business Services Summit in Henderson, North Carolina on the findings from the 2012 Skills Survey of N.C. Employers. Participated in a panel discussion following the presentation. Discussed involvement with the E3 project with two local businessmen – April 12.
  
• Attended and networked at a press conference hosted by the Charlotte Regional Partnership to announce their upcoming cultivation trip to Brazil and execute signing the relationship agreement with Brazilian officials for an economic development exchange. Met with Centralina WDB member Panico Peres (SABO USA) – April 16.
  
• Participated JobLink Management Team and Partners meetings of the Iredell County JobLink Career Center. Discussed how to disseminate business services with Ms. Sara Williams, Labor Market Developer with the NC Department of Commerce. The meetings were held at the JobLink in Statesville - Iredell County – April 18.
  
• Participated in Centralina Youth Council meeting held at the Boys and Girls Club in Concord. Assisted with CAFÉ exercise to solicit input for planning the youth conference. Networked with CTE Administrator from Cabarrus County - Cabarrus County - April 19.
  
• Submitted a plan to engage youth, parents and educators in learning about manufacturing careers. The strategic discussion session was facilitated by North Carolina State University-Industrial Extension Service and hosted by Monroe Economic Development Commission - Union County - April 24.
  
• Participated in the quarterly meeting of the Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership at Rowan-Cabarrus CC – NCRC campus in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Co-chaired Summit Committee meeting charged with planning and conducting a regional allied health summit in 2013 – Cabarrus County – April 26.

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