Centralina Workforce Development Board Continues Economic Development Investment Funding in the Region

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is pleased to announce that three additional employers have received funding through the Incumbent Workforce Development Program. CMH Flooring Products Inc., Parkdale Mills, and Pass & Seymour have been awarded at total of $89,245 to upgrade the skills of their current workforce. The Centralina Workforce Development Board has provided Incumbent Worker funding for 18 local employers since August 2004. This represents a total of $570,240 in local economic investment with these businesses in the region.

CMH Flooring Products, Inc. in Wadesboro is a wholesale distributor of flooring goods and products serving over 5,000 retailers with their flooring needs. The company will receive $34,875 in funds from the Centralina Workforce Development Board to provide training to employees in partnership with South Piedmont Community College. Training will include customer service, leadership, train the trainer, communications and teamwork classes.

Parkdale Mills in Mineral Springs has been an industry leader in the production of cotton and cotton blend yarns for more than 80 years. The yarn that is manufactured goes into many products including bed sheeting, apparel, and hosiery. The company will receive $37,400 in funds from the Centralina Workforce Development Board to provide training to employees through Saurer Inc. (Schlafhorst). The focus will be on Autocoro 360 Technician School, which consists of extensive instruction of Autocoro function, assembly, settings, preventative maintenance, and repair.

Pass & Seymour is located in Concord and manufactures and distributes electrical wiring devices, plaxtics and metals fabrication, as well as automated and manual assembly. The company will receive $16,970 in funds from the Centralina Workforce Development Board. Milacron Plastics Technology and Polymers Center of Excellence will provide training in the following areas: Vista Toggle & Magna Hydraulic Advanced Maintenance and Extrusion 101, 102, & 103.

The current application period for local business to apply for funding is March 31, 2005. For more information on the Incumbent Workforce Development Program please visit http://www.centralinaworks.com/whatshot.cfm or contact David Hollars at 704.348.2717 or dhollars@centralina.org.


Corporation for a Skilled Workforce Team, Tim Dunn, John Metcalf, Donna Crudder, and Centralina WDB Chair, Bob VanGorden.

Developing a Competitive Workforce Advantage
Community Forums Engage Stakeholders

The Centralina Workforce Development Board, Inc. in partnership with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board and the Gaston County Workforce Development Board held four community forums on February 15 & 16, 2005. Forums were held in Gastonia, Charlotte, Concord, and Monroe. They were conducted as part of a regional study titled "Developing a Competitive Workforce Advantage" and were designed to gather community stakeholder feedback. Various businesses and organizations were represented at the forums. Community stakeholders included business leaders, economic development, educators, public leaders, and community organizations.

The purpose of the Study is to provide a baseline of the region's "state of the workforce" indicating the preparedness level of the workforce to adapt to a new economy. Senior Partner John Metcalf, with the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce, along with his team facilitated the community forums. Attendees were divided into discussion groups to tackle and provide feedback on the challenges facing the region. The challenges included growth & stability, cluster-based strategies, technology, education, career awareness, work readiness, entrepreneurship, and transportation. The forums provided the opportunity for community stakeholders to become better informed of the workforce challenges facing the region as well as the sponsoring workforce boards to be better informed of the stakeholders' perception of the issues that must be addressed for the region to prosper. The information gathered will be included in the final report and used to enhance each Board's strategic plans. The report will be available in April 2005 and posted at www.centralinaworks.com.

A special thank you to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and the Union County Chamber of Commerce for hosting the community forums in Concord and Monroe. Want to know more about the strategic planning process for the Centralina Workforce Development Board? Then, visit our website at www.centralinaworks.com or contact David Hollars at 704.348.2717 or dhollars@centralina.org.

Connie Todd, Professional Recruiter with Union Regional Medical Center, discusses the skills needed to work in the medical field.

Way to Go!!
Centralina Workforce Development Board Members Show Why They are the Leaders in Teir Communities

Congratulations to the following Centralina Workforce Development Board members that have been honored or promoted in 2005:

Dr. Don Altieri was honored as the 2004 Main Street Champion at the North Carolina Main Street Annual Awards Dinner on January 27, 2005. Uptown Wadesboro, Inc. selected Dr. Altieri for his contributions to the downtown revitalization process.
 
Congratulations to Nancy Bilson who was recently promoted at National Starch and Chemical Company in Salisbury!
 
Pam Cordts, Human Resources Manager with W.A. Brown & Son, Inc., is the new 2005 Rowan County Human Resources (HR) Association President.
 
Carol Johnson, Dean of Continuing Education at Mitchell Community College in Statesville, has been promoted to Vice President for Workforce Development and Continuing Education.


State of the Workforce Study
Major Emerging Themes
THE STORYLINES:
1. Growth and Stability At Risk
2. Cluster-Based Strategies
3. Technology is the Future's Driver
4. Education, A Core Necessity
5. Career Awareness is a Critical Necessity
6. Work Readiness at All Levels
7. Entrepreneurship, The Region's Tipping Point
8. Transportation, At a Cross Roads

What is Apprenticeship?

Maybe you were wondering too…. Exactly what is apprenticeship in North Carolina?

Ms. Carolyn Milliron and Ms. Pam Francis, Apprenticeship Consultants with the North Carolina Department of Labor, presented on "What is Apprenticeship?" at the February 8th meeting of the Centralina Workforce Development Board. Carolyn and Pam discussed the requirements, partners and benefits for apprenticeships. Apprenticeship is a dual training system that incorporates on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. On-the-job training can include an apprentice, senior employee, mentors, and trainers. Classroom instruction can be at the community college, high school, in house, or by vendors. The N.C. Department of Labor plays a big part in the process. They assist in the registration of apprenticeships and on-the-job training programs. They also monitor and certify programs throughout the state. Several qualifications must be met to become an apprentice. To start with the person must be 18 years of age, employed by a company and perform the work and duties as assigned. Apprentices receive a certificate to officially state their area of trade.

The N.C. Department of Labor partners with many businesses and organizations to make apprenticeship possible. Sponsoring companies, community colleges, regional associations, JobLink Career Centers, Veterans Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Faith-Based Organizations all participate as partners.

There are many benefits of registered apprenticeships for employers as well including, employee skills are tailored to fit the workplace, offers control over product quality, provides the employer with employees who can adapt to new technologies, and many more.

For more information on how to maximize your workforce potential, contact the NC DOL Apprenticeship and Training Bureau at 704.342.6163 ext.257 or visit www.nclabor.com.


Apprenticeship Consultants, Carolyn Milliron
and Pam Francis.

Remember Wayne Ingram?
North Stanly High School Student Returns to School

Remember Wayne Ingram? Wayne was featured in the Centralina Workforce Development Board January 2005 E-Newsletter as a young man participating in the Stanly Life Path Youth Program. Wayne was taking GED classes and making strides in a reading skills program. He had dropped out of school and was trying to work his way to towards enrolling in truck driving school. We are pleased to share that in February, with the encouragement of the Life Path Team, Wayne decided to return to North Stanly High School! Wayne spoke to other young people at a Life Path "Dream Night" on February 16, 2005. He shared his struggle and urged others to be smart and not quit school. The following is an excerpt from Wayne's impressive speech, " I quit school because people made fun of me and I was tired of the people who would not stop teasing me. Suicide was the biggest thing I had to overcome. Then, I started thinking, why am I quitting when I have overcome so many things? So, I went back to school and after five weeks I am doing better than ever." Wayne's grandmother, Sue Barreras, is most proud of him. She recently expressed her gratitude by stating, "Since Wayne has been working with the Life Path Program I have seen a big change in him. He has more self-confidence and is sure of himself. Wayne knows what he wants to do with his future. Thank you very much for caring about Wayne."

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to provide funding through the Workforce Investment Act to make the Life Path Program possible. Congratulations Wayne! For more in information on the Stanly County Youth Life Path Program please contact The Resource Development Center at 704.982.0400 or exectr@ctc.net.



Wayne Ingram Returns to North Stanly High School.

Youth Center to Help School Dropouts LEAP Into a Better Future in Iredell County

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is pleased to announce that I-Care, Inc. in Statesville has been awarded $80,000 for a special demonstration project for the establishment of a Youth Center to target and to serve school dropouts in Iredell County. The Centralina WDB through the North Carolina Division of Employment & Training Youth Demonstration Grant Targeting School Dropouts project, awarded funding. The L.E.A.P Youth Center is being established through a partnership with the Statesville Housing Authority and will be located at the Dobson Community Center. L.E.A.P stands for Learn, Excel, Achieve, and Progress. The mission of the center is to prepare dropout youth for successful entry into the workforce and provide support, knowledge, and skills needed to earn a high school diploma or GED. The LEAP Youth Center in Statesville is one of only three such centers statewide that received funding. For more information about the LEAP Youth Center, contact Tina Tate or Jean Harrison at I-Care, Inc. at 704.872.8141.

********
Statesville High School Senior Gets Full Ride to
Catawba College

Statesville High School senior Walter Horne is going to college on a full athletic scholarship to Catawba College. Walter is a very talented football player who will begin school at Catawba in the fall. He has been participating in the I -Care, Inc. Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth program in Statesville since September of 2002. Tina Tate, Walter's case manager, has worked with him throughout high school. "I recognized his potential very early in our relationship. He has been a real joy to work with," says Tate. Walter Horne is a wonderful young man who is admired and respected by all who know him. Not only does he stand out on the football field, he does so in the classroom as well. Walter is currently a senior honor student at Statesville High School and maintains a 3.45 grade point average (GPA). He is also the highest-ranked student in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program. Tina has seen Walter overcome many obstacles to get to this point in his life. The WIA Youth Program at I Care has provided tremendous support to assist Walter along the way. Tina Tate adds, "Walter has earned and truly deserves this full scholarship from Catawba College."

Walter Horne (center) accepts his scholarship to attend Catawba College.


News You Can Use
Upcoming Events:

  • Centralina Workforce Development Board Meeting
    Tuesday, April 12, 2005 @ 4:30 PM
    Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce - Kannapolis

  • Centralina WDB Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
    March 15, 2005 @ 1:30 PM
    Carolina Carpet Care & Restoration - Concord

  • Centralina WDB Youth Council Meeting
    March 17, 2005 @ 10:00 AM
    Concord - specific location to be announced

  • Centralina WDB Performance Evaluation Committee Meeting
    March 22, 2005 @ 3:30 PM
    Textron Fastening Systems - Stanfield

  • Centralina WDB Community Relations Committee Meeting
    March 24, 2005 @ 4:00 PM
    Win Cup, Inc. - Mooresville

  • Rowan-Salisbury School-to-Career Council Meeting
    March 18, 2005 @ 12:00 PM
    Rowan-Cabarrus Community College - Salisbury

  • The Rowan County JobLink Career Center will host a free employer seminar and breakfast on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in Salisbury. The seminar will focus on accessing employer resources through the JobLink Career Center and increasing the quantity and quality of employment for people with disabilities. For more information contact Heidi Whitesell at whitesellh@rowancabarrus.edu or 704.637.0760 ext.232.

 

 

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.

  

Visit our website at www.centralinaworks.com to learn more about the Centralina WDB
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To learn more about the Centralina Council of Governments please visit www.centralina.org
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