Centralina WDB E-Newsletter December 2004

Incumbent Workforce Development Program Flourishes in the Centralina Region

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to announce that three additional area employers have been awarded Incumbent Workforce Development Program grants. Seven grants have been awarded in 2004 totaling $237,194. Approval for grants for Oiles America Corporation, Coffing Hoists, and Preformed Line Products was made by the NC Commission on Workforce Development based on the review and recommendation made by the Centralina Workforce Development Board. Oiles America as well as Coffing Hoists and Preformed Line Products will all receive $37,500 to upgrade the skills of their current workforce.

Oiles America is located in Concord, NC (Cabarrus County) and has 84 full time employees at
the Concord location. Oiles America Corporation manufacturers self-lubricated bushings
and bearings for the automotive industry and other industries. Patent material is the cornerstone
of their products, producing parts for such auto giants as Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Chrysler and
GM. Employees will be offered Lean Manufacturing, Value Stream Mapping, Lean Improvement
Events, Environmental Safety and Health Laws training , TPS manufacturing system and leadership development training.

Coffing Hoists is located in Wadesboro, NC (Anson County) and has 147 full time employees at the Wadesboro location. Coffing Hoists manufactures powered and manual hoists and hoisting accessories, including air chain and wire rope hoists, for industrial duty material lifting. Employees will be provided Lean Manufacturing training, which will be giving its associates the tools to assist in reducing waste in operations, resulting in a more competitive cost structure enabling Coffing Hoists to compete globally. Coffing Hoists will utilize the resources of South Piedmont Community College for Lean Manufacturing Simulation, Problem Solving and Statistical Process Control, Communications and Teamwork, Business Finance and Strategy and Leadership Development Training. NC State University Industrial Extension Services will provide training in the areas of Six-Sigma Black Belt Training, Six Sigma Green Belt Training and Value Stream Mapping.

Preformed Line Products is located in Albemarle, NC (Stanly County) and has 160 full time employees at the Albemarle location. Performed Line Products is a leading supplier of high quality cable anchoring and control hardware and systems, overhead and underground splice cases, and high speed cross-connect devices. The company will utilize the resources of Stanly Community College for Leadership Development, Adapting to Change/Fighting Workplace Negativity, and Digital Imaging Project to Illustrate Training Design. NC State University Industrial Extension Services will provide training in the areas of Lean Leader Training, Value Stream Mapping, Set-Up Reduction Workshop and three (3) Standard Work Events.

The guidelines and application process for the Incumbent Workforce Development Program can be found at www.centralinaworks.com/whatshot.cfm. The application is in a Word format for easy processing. The upcoming application period begins January 1 and runs through January 31, 2005. For more information please contact David Hollars at dhollars@centralina.org.

Partnership Forum Serves as Vehicle for Regional Workforce System

The Centralina Workforce Development Board held a Partnership Forum at the Speedway Club at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord on Tuesday, December 7, 2004. Centralina Workforce Development Board Members and Economic Development Representatives joined together to strengthen a partnership among workforce development, economic development, chambers of commerce, and education systems in the Centralina region. This is the second forum to be held by the Board.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board hosted the initial forum in April of 2004. Bob VanGorden, Chair of the Centralina WDB, gave an overview titled "Circle of Influence" to kick start the event. The attending group of representatives engaged in an active discussion around local economic development goals, including entrepreneurship, retaining existing businesses and helping them to expand, and keeping students in school to ensure we have a properly trained future workforce.

At the conclusion of the event, David Hollars, Director of the Centralina Workforce Development Board, shared several products, services, and results that display the work of the board. They included overviews of the Incumbent Workforce Development Program, Labor Market Information, State of the Workforce Study, and Industry Sector Analysis.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board plans to continue to conduct future partnership forums that will serve as the catalyst to provide a workforce system in the region that will result in a highly skilled and productive workforce. For more information or a summary about the Centralina Workforce Development Board and Economic Development Partnership Forum contact David Hollars at dhollars@centralina.org.

Bob VanGorden, Chair of the Centralina Workforce Development Board welcomes attendees to the Partnership Forum.

Pilot Project Available to Serve Youth Dropouts

In partnership with the NC Division of Employment and Training, the Centralina Workforce Development Board announces the availability of funding for a model pilot demonstration grant for services to youth dropouts through a community center-based approach in concert with the Centralina JobLink Career Center system. Grants of up to $80,000 for 12 months will be awarded. Centralina will accept first round proposals up to Friday January 14, 2005 and second round proposals will be accepted up to Tuesday March 1, 2005. All proposals must be submitted to Centralina first for review by the Centralina WDB and Youth Council. For more information about the Youth Demonstration Grant please visit www.centralinaworks.com/whatshot.cfm or contact Stephanie Boger at sboger@centralina.org.

Unemployment Rate

Persons Employed

Union County Middle School Students Discover Local Careers

Nearly 1,000 students at three Union County Public Schools had a close look at career opportunities on Thursday, November 18, 2004 during JobReady Partnership's first career day for middle school students. Connections 2004 was an all-day event featuring 20 local businesses and organizations whose representatives discussed the business, how they got into the business and what training is needed. Business leaders represented 10 career pathways ranging from technology to graphics, engineering and health care. Local employers included the City of Monroe, Union Regional Medical Center, Coca-Cola, COSTCO, Greiner Bio-One, MCT General Contracting, WTVI, and many more. The event was held at First Baptist Church in Monroe.

JobReady Partnership is a non-profit organization that enhances school-to-work training for students of Union county Public Schools. JobReady builds alliances between students, employers, parents and the community. For more information about the Union County JobReady Partnership contact Linda Smith, Job Broker at 704.289.5223 or jobready@ucps.k12.nc.us.

Tim Stegall, MCT Engineer links the importance if science and math to his everyday tasks.

Randy Fulp describes his day behind the camera
with WTVI.

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Way2Work!
Lincoln County Youth Reach for the Stars

Stephanie Presnell is a your average teenager in many ways. However, she has excelled through the Lincoln County Workforce Investment Act Program and was awarded her Nursing Assistant I certificate on December 9, 2004. Stephanie is currently attending Gaston College, and will continue there in the spring and summer semesters. Stephanie is maintaining a 4.0 grade point average in her education. She is also a member of the Psi Beta Society for nursing. She has recently been accepted into the Presbyterian School of Nursing program where she will continue with her life long goal of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). Stephanie is currently working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Lincoln Medical Center in Lincolnton. Way to go Stephanie!

Nicole Presnell, Stephanie's sister, is a senior at Lincolnton High School and will be graduating in the spring. She is also a participant in the WIA Youth Program in Lincoln County. She was selected in October as the Who's Who Among America's High School Students and the U.S. National Honor Roll. Nicole has maintained a 4.0 GPA during her senior year. Nicole has been accepted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) as well. She has plans to finish high school and attend UNC Ashville in the fall of 2005. She will be studying to get a Masters in Education and her Doctorate in Special Education. Way to go Nicole!

Stephanie and Nicole Presnell take advantage of
the I-Care WIA program in Lincoln County.

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Youth Volunteers bring Cheer to Nursing Home Residents

On December 22, 2004 nine students who wanted to make a difference in their community set out to visit elderly residents at the Brian Center in Statesville. Together, Jackie Johnson, Thomas Swift, Mai Chang, Matthew Massey, Ramia Hammond, Keyasia Downs, Essence Torrence, Serrena Jones, and Tyneisha Caldwell took some extra time to help deliver gifts to center residents who otherwise might not receive anything at the holidays. Tina Tate, Robert Barber, and Jean Harrison, staff at I-CARE, Inc. in Statesville accompanied the students on their venture and Transit Connect provided transportation for the event. Robert Barber, Case Manager of the Iredell County Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program, stated, "I am so proud of our students who acted as leaders and took on the responsibility of sharing joy with others."

For more information about I-CARE, Inc. and the Iredell County WIA Program please contact Robert Barber or Tina Tate at 704. 872.8141.

Youth deliver gifts to seniors at the Brian Center
in Statesville.

News You Can Use
Upcoming Events:

NEED A SPEAKER?

Invite a representative from the Centralina Workforce Development Board. To arrange for a speaker please visit
www.centralinaworks.com/speaker.cfm or call Stephanie Boger at 704.348.2725.

To learn more about the Centralina Council of Governments please visit www.centralina.org