Centralina Local Employers Recognized for Exceptional Contributions

The 2003 Employment Security Commission Employer Awards Reception was held Wednesday, June 25, 2003 at the NC State University Faculty Club in Raleigh. The reception is held every year and honors selected employers throughout North Carolina. ESC Chairman Harry E. Payne Jr. presented the awards for all 80 state winners receiving an award for exceptional contribution to the North Carolina economy through new business, business expansion, and partnership with the Employment Security Commission. Several Employers from the Centralina Region were recognized for their outstanding involvement and commitment to customers in the local ESC/JobLink Career Centers. The following employers were honored last month at the reception:

  • Cobb - Vantress, Inc. - Anson County
     Mr. Tim Cleaver, Hatchery Manager, accepted the award on behalf of Cobb - Vantress, Inc.
  • SYSCO Foods of Charlotte - Cabarrus County Ms. Carla Lybrand, Human Resources Manager, accepted the award on behalf of SYSCO Foods.
  • Iredell County Government - Statesville
    Ms. Carolyn Harris, Ms. Darlene Tucker, and Ms. Martha Kilgore accepted the award on behalf of Iredell County.
  • Mooresville Graded School District - Iredell County
    Dr. Berry Shepherd accepted the award on behalf of Mooresville Graded Schools.
  • Cataler North America - Lincoln County
    Ms. Beverly Gilbert, Human Resource Manager, accepted the award on behalf of Cataler North America.
  • W.A. Brown & Son, Inc. - Rowan County
    Ms. Pam Cordts, Human Resources Manager, accepted the award on behalf of W.A. Brown & Son, Inc.
  • Textron Fastening Systems / Avdel Cherry - Stanly County
    Ms. Marion Kinley, Human Resource Manager, accepted the award on behalf of Avdel Cherry Textron.
  • Perfect Fit Industries - Union County
    Ms. Rita Walston, Human Resources Manager, accepted the award on behalf of Perfect Fit Industries.

Various agencies listed above have developed long-standing positive partnerships with their local JobLink Career Centers. Some employers have established a sole-source agreement with the Employment Security Commission. The agreement is one in which the employer lists all of their openings with the ESC/JobLink Center for the screening of their applicants. This arrangement provides opportunity for many to apply with minimal contact with the employer until further screening is done to determine candidates qualification.

Congratulations to all the employers who have made such a positive impact on their communities and contributed so much to the Centralina JobLink Career Centers!

Avdel Cherry Textron Receives Employer Award
From left to right: Mr. Harry E. Payne Jr., Employment Security Commission Chairman; Ms. Marion Kinley, Avdel Cherry Textron Human Resources Manager; Ms. Lori Poplin, Avdel Cherry Textron Human Resources Assistant; Ms. Cynthia Lowder, Stanly County ESC/ JobLink Career Center Manager.

JobLink Career Center and Mitchell College Celebrate Success

Margaret ("Nina") Young exemplifies one who has achieved the mission set forth by the community college system. Forced into unemployment by the poor economy, she has utilized existing resources and re-training opportunities in order to become successfully employed within a new career.

Nina is an exceptional person. After losing her job with Burlington Industries, she used funding from the Burlington Discretionary Grant and TAA (Trade Adjustment Assistance) to enter Mitchell Community College with hopes of developing a new profession. She certainly succeeded in attaining her goal. While juggling the demands of being a single mother of three small boys, attending school, and participating in a work study program, she obtained two Associates in Applied Science degrees--one in Accounting and one in Office Systems Technology. She also received the Student of the Year Award in the Office Systems Technology field and graduated with a 3.718 cumulative GPA.

While pursuing her degrees, Nina worked as an intern with Amy Ray, Coordinator of Electronics Engineering Technology. Ms. Ray states that Nina is a "model of integrity" and has an "outstanding work-ethic." She further adds that Nina frequently stayed late to complete projects and worked on days that she was not scheduled-without pay! Nina seemed to anticipate duties that needed to be completed and took the initiative to perform them without being asked. In addition to school, internships, and family responsibilities, Nina also performed work-experience through the Department of Social Services by volunteering with the Employment Security Commission. All of her supervisors speak highly of her job performance. She was a great asset to all of these programs.

After completing her degrees in May 2003, Nina obtained the position as the Continuing Education Records Technician with Mitchell Community College. She came highly recommended from her former teachers and associates. In the brief time that Margaret has been with MCC, she has already proven herself to be an invaluable asset to the College. She has developed an excellent working relationship with her colleagues and students. Nina Young is a wonderful addition to the College staff and is a wonderful example of the collaboration between Mitchell Community College and the Mooresville JobLink Career Center Partners.

 

Employment Statistics
(NCESC Updated twice this month)

May 2003
(Source: NC Employment Security Commission)
County
Unemployment Rate
Persons Employed
Anson
9.8%
9,995
Cabarrus
5.4%
71,374
Iredell
6.6%
62,501
Lincoln
7.6%
33,747
Rowan
5.9%
65,375
Stanly
8.1%
23,233
Union
4.7%
68,767

 

June 2003
(Source: NC Employment Security Commission)
County
Unemployment Rate
Persons Employed
Anson
11.3%
9,744
Cabarrus
6.4%
71,247
Iredell
7.1%
63,311
Lincoln
8.4%
33,687
Rowan
6.5%
65,259
Stanly
9.1%
23,051
Union
5.4%
68,645

For more information on employment, click here.

Vocational Rehabilitation Receives Funding to Expand Services

The North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation ("VR") has received a two-year, $700,000 grant through the federal Department of Labor to increase efforts to assist persons with disabilities in preparing for and achieving employment.

The efforts will be focused on a total of 107 JobLink Career Centers where a number of agencies, including VR and the Employment Security Commission, coordinate their services to job-seekers and their potential employers.

Vocational Rehabilitation Director, Mr. George McCoy, stated, " The new funds will be used to increase the capacity of staff at the centers to offer counseling, guidance, training and other services. The number of North Carolinians being served at the centers is growing steadily, so funds couldn't have come at a better time."

Regional coordinators will design and implement comprehensive training for JobLink staff and the 'Model Employer Development' (MED) program, now in use by VR, will be expanded for use by other agencies at the centers. The MED program's objectives are to provide employers with pre-screened, qualified applicants, on-site consultation and follow-up services, and information in areas such as workplace accessibility, accommodations, and employment tax credits.

The NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation assisted 8,757 people with disabilities in finding jobs last year. The agency provides counseling, training, education, medical, transportation, and other support services to persons with physical or mental disabilities.

For more information about Vocational Rehabilitation please visit http://dvr.dhhs.state.nc.us/ or www.centralinaworks.com to find a JobLink Career Center in your county.

News You Can Use:
Upcoming Events

  • Centralina Workforce Development Board Meeting
    Tuesday, August 12, 2003 @ 4:30 pm
    Cabarrus Regional Chamber (Kannapolis)

  • Union County JobReady Partnership Meeting Thursday, August 21, 2003 @ 12:00 pm
    Chamber of Commerce, Monroe

  • Salisbury-Rowan School-to-Career Council Meeting
    Friday, August 22, 2003 @ 12:00 pm
    Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Salisbury

  • NC Workforce Development Institute Presents: "Entrepreneurship - A Way Back To Work" The training will be offered at the following times and locations:
    July 29, 2003 @ Southwestern Community College, Sylva
    August 1, 2003 @ Carteret Community College, Morehead
    August 5, 2003 @ Edgecombe Community College, Tarboro
    August 19, 2003 @ Randolph Community College, Asheboro
    For more information or to register please visit www.nccommerce.com/wdi/WDICalendar

  • 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 Program Associate Stephanie Boger at 704.348.2725.

  • The Lincoln County Department of Social Services would like to announce they will be moving to their new building in late August 2003. The new building is located at 1136 East Main Street in Lincolnton, North Carolina. Currently DSS is housed in three different locations, but with the new building the entire agency will be together! Being under one roof will not only be an asset to the staff, but more importantly to the citizens served in Lincoln County. Instead of traveling to three different locations, customers can now find all the services they may need in one central location. For more information about services please call 704.732.0738.

Visit our website at www.centralinaworks.com to learn more about the Centralina WDB
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