Board Receives Progress on Joint Study: Blending of Hispanic and Traditional Workforces

Strataforce, a regional staffing firm, has partnered with The University of North Carolina - Charlotte and the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce to conduct a study focusing on the successful integration of Hispanic employees into the traditional workforce. Mr. Jim Fuller, Director of Sales, presented the initial results of the study to the Centralina Workforce Development Board on Tuesday, June 10, 2003.

Mr. Fuller presented a detailed PowerPoint Presentation, which included a report on the labor force composition in 1985 compared to 2000. He also provided additional statistics on the Latino population and their growth in our region. Mr. Fuller briefly discussed job classifications and consumer buying power for that population as well. He presented the study results sharing the goals and objectives from the project study. Strataforce worked with Trim Systems, Inc., a Statesville company, to achieve survey results. Trim Systems Inc. served as the test site for the study. At the conclusion of the presentation, Mr. Fuller led a lively discussion with Centralina Workforce Development Board Members about Hispanics in their places of work and communities.

Strataforce has offices in Charlotte, Rock Hill, Statesville, and Cornelius. For more information about the Blending of Hispanic and Traditional Workforces Study please contact the Centralina Workforce Development Board at 704.348.2717.


Strataforce Director of Sales, Mr. Jim Fuller presents to The Centralina Workforce Development Board.

New at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College:
Industrial Engineering Technology

The Rowan Cabarrus Community College Industrial & Engineering Technology Department has recently added an Associate in Applied Science - Industrial Engineering Technology as a new curriculum for students. The Industrial Engineering Technology curriculum prepares graduates to perform as technical leaders in manufacturing and service organizations. It requires 15 semester hours of general education studies and 51 semester hours of courses directly related to the Industrial Engineering Technology major. The curriculum incorporates the study and application of methods and techniques for developing, implementing and improving integrated systems involving people, material, equipment, and information. The degree program has a heavy emphasis on the following elements:

  • Problem Solving Techniques
  • Process improvement
  • Systems analysis
  • Quality improvement
  • Productivity Analysis
  • Facilities Planning
  • Organizational Management
  • Effective Communications
  • Computer usage as a problem solving tool

Graduates will qualify for a wide range of manufacturing and service industry positions including: Industrial Engineering Technician, Quality Assurance Technician, Team Leader, and Shift Supervisor.

The courses are currently offered at RCCC - North Campus, however will be expanding to the South Campus in Concord by fall 2003. Application forms may be requested from RCCC Student Services at 704-637-0760 / 704-788-3197 or directly from the web page at www.rccc.cc.nc.us/student services. For more information please e-mail or call the Program Head, Industrial Engineering Technology, Mr. Frank Merrell at merrellf@rccc.cc.nc.us or 704-637-0760 x325.

Employment Statistics
(Updated Monthly on this E-Newsletter)

April 2003
(Source: NC Employment Security Commission)
County
Unemployment Rate
Persons Employed
Anson
9.7%
9,825
Cabarrus
5.8%
70,757
Iredell
6.5%
62,002
Lincoln
7.0%
33,455
Rowan
5.9%
64,810
Stanly
8.8%
23,054
Union
4.9%
68,173

For more information on employment, click here.

New Officers Elected


Centralina WDB Youth Council current and upcoming officers: Ms. Emily Behm, Mr. James Polk, and Ms. Carol Johnson.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board Youth Council is pleased to announce the election of its new officers for the upcoming program year. At the June 5, 2003 Centralina Youth Council Meeting nominations and elections were held for Chair and Vice-Chair. Starting July 1, 2003 Ms. Carol Johnson, Dean of Continuing Education at Mitchell College in Statesville will serve as Chair of the Council. She has served as the Vice-Chair for the past year. Ms. Emily Behm, Director of Career and Technical Education for Cabarrus County schools will serve as Vice-Chair. Ms. Johnson and Ms. Behm are both Centralina Workforce Development Board Members. The council looks forward to continued quality leadership in the upcoming year.

Currently Mr. James Polk, with the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services serves as Youth Council Chair. Mr. Polk has chaired the council since 1999, when it first started. At the June 5, 2003 Meeting, Youth Council Members recognized him for his leadership, hard work, and efforts over the years.

For more information about the Centralina Workforce Development Board Youth Council or to find out about membership please contact Stephanie Boger at 704.348.2725 or sboger@centralina.org.

News You Can Use:

  • Centralina Workforce Development Board Meeting
    Tuesday, August 12, 2003 @ 4:30 pm
    Cabarrus Regional Chamber (Kannapolis)
  • Centralina WDB Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
    Tuesday, July 15, 2003 @ 9:30 am
  • Anson County WIA Youth Program - 2003 Conference
    Monday, June 30, 2003 / 9:00 am - 2:00 PM
    Anson County Library - 120 S. Greene Street (Wadesboro) Contact: Manzell Spencer or Brenda Allen @ 704-694-2308
  • US Department of Labor 2003 Workforce Innovations Conference
    July 7 - July 9, 2003
    Washington, DC
  • 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 2003 edition of A Matter of Facts: The North Carolina Community College System Fact Book is now available on the North Carolina Community College System Office web site under News and Information / Publications - www.ncccs.cc.nc.us
  • May 2003: Congratulations to The Rowan-Salisbury School To Career Council. The Council was awarded funding for Camp Discover from The Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation. The camp was held June 9-13, 2003 and was a great success!

Visit our website at www.centralinaworks.com to learn more about the Centralina WDB
To send a comment about our E-Newsletter, click here.
To learn more about the Centralina Council of Governments please visit www.centralina.org
CentralinaWORKS is a publication of the Centralina Workforce Development Board. If you do not wish to receive this E-Newsletter in the future, please send a return e-mail and type "REMOVE" in the Subject Line and you will be removed from our distribution list. The CWDB does not share its distribution list with other organizations. Please feel free to share this E-Newsletter with co-workers and other business associates.