Centralina WDB E-Newsletter April 2005

Employment Statistics
(Updated Monthly on this E-Newsletter)

February 2005 (Source: NC Employment Security Commission)
County	Unemployment Rate	Persons Employed
Anson	7.7%	10,111
Cabarrus	5.2%	73,263
Iredell	5.8%	65,447
Lincoln	5.5%	34,325
Rowan	6.1%	65,361
Stanly	6.1%	27,526
Union	4.7%	73,821

For more information on employment, click here

Success Comes
at a Price

The Centralina Workforce Development Board has been pleased to assist many local businesses in our region with resources for training current employees through the Incumbent Workforce Development Program. This has been a true economic development investment for existing industries. The program has been a success from its inception in October 2003. The NC Department of Commerce - Commission on Workforce Development recently announced that all funds allotted for this fiscal year have been expended. Funds for the next fiscal year (2005-2006) will not be available again until August 2005. The Centralina WDB will work with local businesses who have submitted applications and who may wish to resubmit them at a later date. For more information please contact David Hollars @ 704.348.2717 or dhollars@centralina.org.

Co-Op is the Best of All Worlds… Experience, Credit, and Money!

Jerome Alexander of Salisbury was recently named North Carolina's Cooperative Education Co-Op Student of the Year at the North Carolina Cooperative Education Conference.

Jerome is enrolled in the Electronics Engineering program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. His first co-op assignment was in the spring of 2004 with NorthEast Medical Center. During his assignment, he was placed in the Electronics Department and learned about bio-medical technology and chemical equipment. Jerome also learned how to check infusion pumps, SCD pumps, inspection of pulse oximeters, telemethy systems, replacement of hemodialysis inlet tubing, electrical safety testing and preventive maintenance on ventilators. His supervisor at NorthEast Medical Center stated "Jerome has great potential in his chosen career. He is a fast learner and approaches every task with tack, desire and great enthusiasm".

As summer approached, Jerome was placed on his second co-op assignment with Verizon Wireless. His specific duties were to assemble and disassemble hard-set equipment. He has gained substantial knowledge in various phone equipment technology and is able to properly demonstrate these functions to customers. His supervisor at Verizon Wireless states that Jerome's performance and attitude are superb. She and her team have repeatedly thanked the co-op staff for referring him to their business.

Jerome stated that the "Cooperative Education experience has provided an opportunity for a "new beginning" with a propelling of success in my academic career". He adds, "the training I'm receiving is related to my curriculum and I encourage students to get involved in this great academic program. Co-op is the best of all worlds…. experience, credit and money!! Cooperative Education has been a wise investment for me as I have learned to appreciate the great value of work experience in both my academic and professional careers."

"Jerome has been a great representative of the college and the Cooperative Education program. He has overcome so many obstacles in his life and his determination, optimism, articulation and strong work ethic are what make him a valuable asset to employers", states Michele Chance who is Jerome's faculty coordinator.

During the awards breakfast at the conference, Jerome with his wife in attendance gave a very emotional acceptance speech and received a plaque presented by Charlie Derrick, Rowan-Cabarrus CC Co-Op Director. Jerome is completing his Associate's Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and is working full-time with Verizon Wireless.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to partner with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in its efforts to build a stronger workforce for employers in our region. For more information on Co-Op programs, contact Charlie Derrick at (704) 637-0760, Ext. 727 or (704) 788-3197, Ext. 455 or derrickc@rowancabarrus.edu.

Building our Future Workforce
One Mentor and Internship At a Time

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is actively involved in "Building Tomorrow's Workforce Today". The Board supports many local initiatives including the Union County JobReady Partnership and the Rowan-Salisbury School-To-Career Council. Both groups have similar missions. They work to create pathways to career success for students and build partnerships between students, employers, parents, and the community. Adult mentors, internships, and job shadowing are key building blocks to the success of preparing tomorrow's workforce.

Several students recently shared their experiences serving as an intern and having a mentor. Nancy Nations, who is a job shadow student at Forest Hills High School in Monroe, presented her experience of shadowing in a daycare at the Union County JobReady Partnership meeting on April 21, 2005 at the Union County Chamber of Commerce. Nancy expressed how much she enjoyed the opportunity and how much she learned about what it takes to work with children and own your own daycare business. Will Autry is also a student at Forest Hills High School and participates in the New Century Scholars Program. He spoke to the group about his relationship with his mentor, Mr. Charles Perry. Will shared with the JobReady Partnership members his sincere gratitude for having a mentor and how he has enjoyed the time they spend together. Mr. Perry added, "If Will and I run out of things to talk about we can always talk about football."

A group of students also shared their internship experiences with the Rowan-Salisbury School-To-Career Council on April 22, 2005. A.J. Green from North Rowan High School along with Michelle Cipullo from West Rowan and Kevin Dover from South Rowan High School all made presentations on what they learned as interns. Each student had a different experience. Michelle was an intern with WBTV Channel 3 television station and Kevin has been serving as an intern at W.A. Brown & Son, Inc. in Salisbury. Each student reaped the benefits from working in a business and learning more about what type of career they hope to pursue.

For more information about the Union County JobReady Partnership contact Linda Smith @ 704.289.5223. For information about the Rowan-Salisbury School-to-Career Council please contact Linda James @ 704.378.2876.