Centralina WDB E-Newsletter January 2003

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to profile one of its newest members, Ms. Nancy Bilson. Nancy is Human Resources Manager for National Starch and Chemical Company's Salisbury site. She has worked in Human Resources for the parent company, ICI, a global chemical company for 18 years. Prior to that Nancy had a career in career counseling at several colleges and universities. Nancy has a Masters Degree in Counseling. She has earned the PHR Designation (Professional in Human Resources) from the Society for Human Resources Management Association and is incoming President of the Rowan County Human Resources Association.

Ms. Bilson currently serves as the Community Relations Chair, a subcommittee of the Centralina Workforce Development Board. Nancy has worked very hard to organize and develop a Speaker's Bureau training and toolkit for her fellow workforce board members. The group has completed their training and is putting the finishing touches on their toolkit to be prepared to engage in speaking opportunities within their own communities. Look for more information about the Speaker's Bureau at www.centralinaworks.com The Centralina Workforce Development Board is most grateful to have such a valuable and talented member with so many gifts to contribute to workforce development in our region.

Union County Department of Social Services Makes A Commitment To Improve Collaboration

Union County Department of Social Services joined nine other counties in North Carolina in an initiative to foster collaboration within and across agencies, with families, and with community partners. The TANF/Child Welfare Collaborative, now called Family Net is not a new project, but rather a new way of doing business. Union County DSS held a two-day workshop in June 2001 to get the project off the ground. From this workshop, action steps and priorities were identified that created barriers to collaboration. A committee was formed to work on the four cross cutting interventions that were identified. This committee called "The Performance Team" is comprised of employees from all areas of the agency. The committee is dedicated to "building bridges" to create an atmosphere that will enable the agency to achieve it's mission, which is "To partner with families in achieving economic well being, safety, and performance within our community." The Performance Team decided to create a mascot for the collaborative effort. "B.B." was created as the "bridge builder" for the agency. Workers who go out of their areas to create atmospheres for collaboration within the agency are awarded a "B.B." button to reward them for their efforts. For more information about Family Net please contact Deborah Simmons at the Union County Department of Social Services 704.296.4300

Dr. Graham E. Watt Presents Incumbent Worker Training Program

Dr. Graham E. Watt, spoke to the Centralina Workforce Development Board at their first meeting of the year, January 14. Dr. Watt is the Senior Policy Associate with The NC Department of Commerce's Governor's Commission on Workforce Development. The Commission has developed an Incumbent Worker Development Program and Dr. Watt visited to discuss with the Board the training initiative, how it fits with the Board's goals, and the role of the Centralina WDB in the process. The program enables businesses to apply for grants to train their employees. The training will involve knowledge and skill upgrade for employees. For example, computers, soft skills, and English as a Second Language. The program is scheduled to start by the end of January 2003. The discussion was both informative and interactive. It was a great opportunity for Board members and guests to inquire about the details of the program. The Centralina Workforce Development Board is very grateful to Dr. Watt for his time spent presenting and discussing the Incumbent Worker Program.

For more information please contact David Hollars, Centralina Workforce Development Board Executive Director at 704.348.2717.