The Youth Council of the Centralina Workforce Development Board has many good stories to tell. Listed below are a few recent ones. Click here for the archived stories.

  Youth Council member Lisa Conger, Cabarrus County Schools Career & Technical Education Director was recently named to the NC Commision on Workforce Development.

Youth Council member Rick Brown wins The International Association of Workforce Professionals (IAWP) Citation Award in summer of 2009.  The Citation Award recognizes individuals and groups who made outstanding contributions to workforce development programs from a private sector or non-governmental nonprofit organization and not employed by a workforce development entity.

In spring of 2008, Centralina youth Jamar Still was chosen to speak to the North Carolina General Assembly on behalf of the North Carolina Youth Summit...

...Jamar and the rest of the group got to talk to, and take pictures with NC Senator Tony Foriest

Salisbury Youth RANKS among the best in the state of North Carolina

Sherman Rankin received Governor’s Award for Outstanding Youth

The 2008 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Workforce Development Banquet was held at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro N.C. on Thursday October 23, 2008.  Nearly 800 people from across the state gathered in Greensboro for the 2008 NC Workforce Development Partnership Conference in which the awards ceremony was the highlight of the three day event. 

Mr. Sherman Rankin, a 19 year old participant in the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency’s Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program, received the Governor’s Award for Excellence as an “Outstanding Youth”. Sherman was selected from nearly 100 nominations from all across the state of North Carolina for his commitment to education and dedication to being a provider for his family and role model for his son.

Sherman has been a participant in the WIA youth program since 2003. On the road to becoming a high school dropout, Sherman credits the WIA program and staff at Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency with helping him to turn around his life.  He is planning and preparing to attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in January of 2009 and major in Radiology. Sherman has proven, single handedly, that the WIA program really does work!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Sherman Rankin

2008 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Workforce Development

for Outstanding Younger Youth.

Jessica Connor, 19 WIA Participant - SRCAA. Inc. Aspires to become a nurse.  Currently enrolled at Rowan Cabarrus Community College	Jeremy Greene, 17 WIA Participant - SRCAA, Inc. Artist Currently enrolled at Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Tamika Taylor WIA - Participant - SRCAA, Inc. Currently serving in the Military.  Completd Basic Trainng in September 2007 Plans to enroll at Fayetteville State University - Social Work Program	Todd Greene WIA - Participant - SRCAA, Inc. Aspires to become a mechanic.  Currently enrolled at Rowan Cabarrus Community College

2nd Annual Youth Services Summit

“Turning Barriers in to Bridges”

The Centralina Workforce Development Board hosted its second annual Youth Services Summit on Friday, September 19, 2008 at the Charles Mack Citizen Center in Mooresville. Nearly 70 people gathered for a full day of fun and interactive workshops.  The Summit was themed “Turning Barriers in to Bridges”

The event was sponsored by Centralina Workforce Development Board, Inc., AFAB Promotions (Kings Mountain, NC), R.E.A.D. Inc and Anderson Real Estate (Anson County). 

2008 NC Youth Summit

“Generation Destined for Greatness”

The NC Youth Summit was held April 18-19, 2008 at the Embassy Suites in Greensboro, NC.  The conference theme was “Generation D: Destined for Greatness”.  The Summit kicked off with a welcome from Greensboro Mayor - Yvonne Johnson.  The youth were then given a presentation from Regina Smalls from JobLinks of North Carolina, and Takeila Barnes of the North Carolina College Foundation.  Attendees also heard from guest speaker Mr. Thomas Barksdale II who gave a well received, encouraging and inspiring keynote address.  Other speakers featured were Callie Northern, owner of GTC Services;  Ronette Jacobs, founder of “Tools for Life”; Sandra McClammy  & Brandon Hickman of Urban Promotions©, and T. Sharee Fowler, Associate Organizer of C.H.A.N.G.E. – Communities Helping All Neighbors Gain Empowerment.