4th Annual Career Academy Is A Hit!

CAFÉ Program Introduces Stanly County Educators to Business and Industry

The CAFÉ (Career Academy for Educators) Program held on June 21-23, 2011, was a huge success. The CAFÉ program offered Stanly County educators a chance to become familiar with the many opportunities offered by Stanly Community College; but perhaps more importantly, the program helped educators and local employers identify the educational and social skills necessary for employees to become successful within their company. The CAFÉ program is sponsored by the Centralina Workforce Development Board, Stanly Community College, Stanly County Chamber of Commerce, and the Stanly County School System. Centralina WDB Youth Program Specialist Natasha Pender participated in all 3 days of the program.

CAFÉ participants are key players in public school education, post-secondary education, and the business sector; each having access to a vital network that promotes a free exchange of ideas in which to improve future endeavors for all involved.

CAFÉ was introduced to Stanly County educators by the Stanly Career Readiness Taskforce in 2007. The planning, execution and sponsorship of the annual event is provided by Stanly Community College, Stanly Chamber of Commerce, Stanly County School System and the Centralina Workforce Development Board. Marion Kinley, Director of Business & Industry Training at Stanly CC, Kathy Gardner, Dean of Continuing Education at Stanly CC, Terri Dunlap, Director of Continuing Education Records and Registration at Stanly CC, and Shannon Batchelor, Career and Technical Education Director for Stanly County Schools comprised the committee responsible for implementing the CAFÉ program.

CAFÉ offered participants a glimpse into some of the businesses that call Stanly County home. The three day event allowed teachers to earn continuing education credits. During CAFÉ, participants toured and were given presentations on the following Stanly County businesses: Chicago Tube & Iron, Home Savings & Loan, Stanly County Airport, Preformed Line Products, Pfeiffer University, and Monarch.

Tom Ramseur, Centralina WDB member and Director of the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce is one of the primary sponsors and coordinators of this event. He stated “I don’t believe that there is any other [Workforce Development] program which can reach this amount of educators each year and make an impact in such a positive way. This new knowledge of their experiences in CAFÉ will impact so many students, teachers and parents each year.”

Mr. Ramseur was not alone in his positive response to the program. Stanly County School teacher Penny Breslin had this to say of her experience with CAFÉ: “A goldmine of pertinent information that can easily be passed along to students, teachers, and other stakeholders who are involved in career and/or economic decisions in Stanly County. Yes, would recommend to others! Extremely informative! A successful program incorporates good communication, engaging learning experiences, and mutual respect. CAFÉ had it all! It’s always nice to have more information to counsel students on career choices, and the economic impact of which careers they choose. Thanks again for sponsoring CAFÉ!”

The three-day event concluded at the Albemarle City Hall and was complete with several more learning opportunities. Participants heard from Tom George, Director of the Small Business Center at Stanly Community College and also from Betty O’Neal, an instructor at Stanly County Community College. They talked about opportunities available at the college. Participants took part in “Speed Networking Sessions” – an opportunity to visit with business representatives, ask questions and learn what opportunities may be available to students.

The featured guest speaker for the concluding session on Thursday was Bob VanGorden, Chairman of the Centralina Workforce Development Board. Bob spoke about the importance of the work that teachers do and how the CAFÉ experience gives them an opportunity to be able to promote Stanly County business in a new and exciting way.

The Career Academy for Educators is a great way to connect business and industry with schools and education.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina WDB Youth Council are proud partners with the Stanly Community College, Stanly Chamber of Commerce, and the Stanly County School System. We are excited to see local partners coming up with innovative ways to connect our youth to their future. For more information on the CAFÉ Program or on the Centralina WDB Youth Council, please contact Natasha Pender at (704) 348-2725 or npender@centralina.org.