Workforce Development and NC Association of Workforce Professionals Recognizes JobLink Career Center Leaders

Centralina Workforce Development Board Executive Director David Hollars was honored by the North Carolina chapter of the International Association of Workforce Professionals during a conference highlighting, "Embracing Change Through Education," which took place April 26-28, 2006 at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Hotel.

Local leaders, including Judy Bostian and Debbie Davis also won awards. Judy, who recently returned to work at the Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center and was honored as Retiree of the Year. Debbie Davis is the Rowan County JobLink Career Center Manger and was honored with the NCAWP Individual Citation Award.

On April 27, during the luncheon, awards for 2005 were presented by North Carolina Employment Security Commission (ESC) Chairman Harry E. Payne Jr. and outgoing NCAWP President Sharon Riggan. David Hollars received the Administrator of the Year award for his outstanding service to the workforce development community in North Carolina. David is the first non-ESC employee to receive the Administrator of the Year award.

David stated "I am greatly honored to receive such a prestigious award. I feel very fortunate to work with terrific workforce partners such as ESC."

Former ESC staff member and current International District V Director Catherine Vansickle was the 2005 Awards Chair and was on-hand to announce the winners.

If you need to contact David, please do so at (704) 348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please visit www.centralinaworks.com.

Regional Workforce Efforts Are
More United Than Ever

The Competitive Workforce Alliance is the workforce network for the greater Charlotte Region. As we all know, this labor market and economic region includes our neighbors across the border in South Carolina.

The Alliance is proud to welcome the Catawba Regional Workforce Investment Board, which includes the South Carolina counties of Chester, Lancaster, and York. The Alliance recently published a State of the Workforce Report titled, " Building a Competitive Workforce Advantage for the Region." The report includes data that tells a story about the13-county Charlotte region - its strengths, its challenges, and its opportunities. The information in the study included the counties served by the Catawba Regional WIB.

"The Catawba Regional Workforce Investment Board which operates through the Catawba Regional Council of Governments is very excited about the opportunity to be a part of the Competitive Workforce Alliance with the Charlotte region and realizes the value that will be gained for the Catawba Region through this unified effort to address critical workforce development issues," says Robert Barber, Catawba Regional Workforce Investment Board Executive Director.

Together, the Alliance is driving solutions to workforce and business issues in our counties. This unique alliance provides resources, training, and business services through a network of JobLink/One-Stop Career Centers. For more information on the Competitive Workforce Alliance please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board Employer Survey is Your Source

The Centralina Workforce Development Board believes that employers are valuable partners in the process of providing JobLink services to the community.

On the Centralina Workforce Development Board web site employers can take a short two-to-three minute survey that allows the businesses to indicate what their current workforce needs are. The survey also allows them to rate the JobLink Services that each of the JobLink Career Centers in the Centralina region offers. This input allows the JobLink Career Centers to add to or improve their services to local employers.

So, all businesses should take a few minutes to complete the survey at www.centralinaworks.com/survey. As a thank you for doing this you may be eligible to receive a free gift from the Centralina Workforce Development Board (see story below).

For more information on the employer survey and what the Centralina Workforce Development Board can do to help make your voice heard in the region, please contact Vail Carter at (704) 348-2710 or by email at vcarter@centralina.org.


California Company Relocates its Distribution Center to Lincoln County

Retail Manufacturer Big Dogs Holdings, Inc. has announced it will relocate its 143,000 square-foot distribution center from Santa Fe Springs, California and lease a new 229,000 square-foot center in the Lincoln County Industrial Park.

The company operates Big Dogs and The Walking Company. It develops, markets and retails a branded, lifestyle collection of unique, high-quality, popular-priced consumer products, including active wear, casual sportswear, accessories and gifts.

John Wood, senior vice president of logistics, said the company was initially contacted by the Charlotte Regional Partnership and after looking at the region as a whole, officials narrowed their search to Lincoln County.

"The Charlotte region will provide cost efficiencies not available in our current distribution center," said Wood. "Most importantly, we were pleased with the region's pro-business attitude and overall quality of life aspects."

According to incentive grant agreements, the move will represent a $10.5 million investment. They will begin shipping from their new distribution center in January 2007. The company is estimating a $4 million capital expenditures budget for the project. The new facility will provide additional capacity for the company's continued growth.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to partner with the Lincoln County Economic Development Commission and the Charlotte Regional Partnership in their efforts to bring another quality employer to Lincoln County.

For more information on employment with Big Dogs Holdings, Inc. in Lincoln County, please contact Judi Morton at the Lincoln County JobLink Career Center at (704) 735-8035 or by judi.morton@ncmail.net.

Contractors Invited to Forum About Construction at N.C. Research Campus

Local contractors looking to get in on the construction effort for the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis are invited to a forum on June 7 at the Holiday Inn of Salisbury.

The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce is joining Castle and Cooke, Inc. and Turner Construction Co. for the "North Carolina Research Campus Business Opportunities Forum" from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday June 7. Castle and Cook is the developer and Turner Construction is the general contractor for the Core Laboratory Building, the centerpiece of the research campus.

The forum will include an update on construction by Castle and Cooke representatives and a presentation on the process for bidding on subcontracts led by Turner Construction officials.

Several representatives from early tier one contactors already hired will go over opportunities available to Rowan County businesses. Question and one-on-one consultations will follow.

The forum is open to all local businesses. Seating is limited so advanced registration is requested by calling the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce at (704) 633-4221 or emailing your name, company name and number attending to info@rowanchamber.com.

Converpro Inc. is Relocating to Stanly County

Converpro Inc., a Canadian paper-products company, will open a facility in Oakboro, creating 87 jobs.

The company will invest $9 million in the project over the next three years and will move into a 60,000 square-foot vacant industrial building. The operation will recycle paper into tissue and paper towels.

The expected average weekly wage of the new jobs is $555 plus benefits, which is greater than the Stanly County average of $517, not including benefits.

An agreement offered by Oakboro and Stanly County will provide the company a combined $160,000 in incentive grants.

Converpro also will receive $80,000 from the One North Carolina Fund, which Governor Mike Easley uses to promote economic development and job creation.

"After considering several locations in the Southeast, we selected North Carolina because of the availability of skilled workers they have to offer," says Denis Ellefsen, Converpro's director of operations. "This location will also help us better serve our customers in the region."

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to partner with the Stanly County Economic Development Commission in their efforts to bring another quality employer to Stanly County.

For more information on employment with Converpro Inc., in Stanly County, please contact Nathan Sanges at the Stanly County JobLink Career Center at (704) 982-2183 or by Nathan.sanges@ncmail.net.


The Lincoln County Literacy Council Needs Your Assistance

The Lincoln County Literacy Council, which provides literacy-tutoring, classes, seminars and training to local residents free of charge in the basement of the Lincolnton post office, has been forced to move to a new location and pay rent.

"As a service to the community the post office allowed the Literacy Council free use of the space," said Christina Arlow, executive director. "It allowed us to function with a very small budget."

When the building was purchased by a private entity in Colorado last August, the new owners ended the agreement and required the council to either move out or start to pay rent. Having to pay rent would increase the Council's yearly budget of $22,000 by $9,200. The extra money equals a budgetary increase of 45 percent, said Arlow.

After being notified of the change, Arlow got to work finding a new location. She created a pledge card and visited local companies asking for support.

"I happen to know in Lincoln County, when there is a need we have a lot of businesses willing to help," she said. "They are really stepping up to help us with the move."

Fortunately, the Council has secured a move into a new location at 814 East Main Street, thanks to Barry Stowe, the building's owner. First Charter Bank and Century 21 have come aboard as sponsors, covering one month's rent each.

Though the council will have a place to reside, there is still a lot needed to keep its doors open. Members are still looking for individuals and businesses to help cover rent costs. And volunteers are needed to help move things to the new location.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner of the Lincoln County Literacy Council. Coordinating workforce, education, and community resources to put an end to illiteracy is an effective approach and only one of the roles that the Centralina Workforce Development Board plays across the region.For anyone wishing to help the Lincoln County Literacy Council please contact Christina Arlow at (704) 732-4189 or by email at Lincliteracy@charterinternet.com.

For more information about all of the roles of the Centralina Workforce Development Board please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or dhollars@centralina.org.



Each month, the Centralina Workforce Development Board holds a drawing from Business Surveys that area businesses have completed and posted on our website.

Centralina is pleased to announce that the winner of this month's drawing is Carriff Corporation Inc. in Cabarrus County. Sue Earnhardt of Carriff Corporation Inc. completed and submitted the survey. We thank Sue for helping us with our continuous improvement feedback process.

If you haven't completed the survey, you can do so now by logging onto our website at http://www.centralinaworks.com/survey. It only takes a couple of minutes and by completing the survey, it will guarantee your entry into our next drawing.

For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Employer Survey and the business services available through the Board and our local JobLink Career Centers, please contact Vail Carter at (704) 348-2710 or by email at vcarter@centralina.org.


Click on a link below to connect to a JobLink

Anson County JobLink Career Center

Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center

Iredell County JobLink Career Centers

Lincoln County JobLink Career Center

Rowan County JobLink Career Center

Stanly County JobLink Career Center

Union County JobLink Career Center
 


 Updated Monthly on this E-Newsletter

April 2006
(Source: NC Employment Security Commission)
County
Unemployment Rate
Persons Employed
Anson
6.7%
10,278
Cabarrus
3.4%
76,416
Iredell
3.7%
70,005
Lincoln
4.9%
26,787
Rowan
4.2%
64,822
Stanly
4.6%
28,068
Union
3.2%
79,158

For more information on employment, click here


Introductions Please!
Centralina WDB Welcomes New Board Member

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is pleased to welcome a new Board member. Ms. Janet Hudson is the Human Resources Manager of the Brooks Food Group Inc. in Waxhaw.

Janet brings over 20 years experience working in the Human Resources field to the Board. She is also active with the Union County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Monroe Kennel Club. Janet also participated in the recent strategic planning retreat held by the Centralina WDB.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is excited to have new members that bring innovative ideas and are willing to commit to helping develop a highly skilled, productive workforce for the region. The Board appreciates the hard work and efforts that all Board members contribute.

Janet Hudson can be contacted by email at jhudson@brooksfoodgroup.com. For more information about the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please visit www.centralinaworks.com.

Brings Over 70 Employers and
660 Job Seekers Together

The 15th Annual Union County Job Fair was held on Tuesday, April 25th from 10am to 3pm at the South Piedmont Community College Conference Center on the Old Charlotte Hwy Campus in Monroe and was a great success. A total of 74 employers participated along with 660 job seekers. Sponsors included South Piedmont Community College, Union County ESC/JobLink Center, Union County Department of Social Services, Union County Chamber of Commerce, Union County Public Library, Union County Vocational Rehabilitation and Que Pasa Media Group. Employers were treated to a delicious continental breakfast and received goody bags provided by the Centralina Workforce Development Board.

The First 70 Job Seekers though the doors received a free business portfolio provided by South Piedmont Community College which should be useful to them as they continue their search for employment. Petro Express, Carolina Medical Center and South Piedmont Community College also donated items as raffle giveaways for the Job Seekers.

With the assistance of Que Pasa Media Group, Union County Public Library and the Literacy Council of Union County, job seekers from the Latino Community who were encouraged to attend the Job Fair were assisted with services, since so many area employers are seeking bi-lingual employees.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner with South Piedmont Community College and the Union County JobLink Career Center. Connecting job seekers to their future and preparing them for the workforce is a part of the Centralina Workforce Development Board's goals. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2732 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org.

Stanly Community College May Be Able to Help

Stanly Community College (SCC) is offering an introductory course on how to "Build Your Own Electric Vehicle." The course is taught as a continuing education class that is open to the public. Topics for the course include: electric vehicle history, advantages and disadvantages, environmental concerns, and more.

"I have been preaching about battery-operated vehicles for years," says Chuck Safrit, SCC electronics Engineering Program Head and Retired US Coast Guard Officer.

"With the right batteries and vehicle design, electric vehicles can easily achieve a 150 mile range between charges. I don't have the resources to build an electric vehicle for everyone in Stanly County; however, I can show you how to do it yourself."

The "Build Your Own Electric Vehicle Course" is scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-9 p.m. during the summer 2006 semester. Classes started May 16th and will continue till July 13th.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is a proud partner of Stanly Community College and encourages continuing education to build a stronger workforce. For more information on the "Build Your Own Electric Vehicle" course please contact Chuck Safrit at (704) 991-0353. For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board and how the Board can partner with you please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org.

Youth Council Member Selected for the National Technical Honor Society

The Centralina Youth Council proudly announces that one of its members -- Miss Corinthia Miller -- was recently selected for the National Technical Honor Society and received a $3,000 scholarship upon attending North Carolina Central University and majoring in biology.

Corinthia is a senior at North Rowan High School in Salisbury. She is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America (F.B.L.A.) and her school's Student Government Association (S.G.A). Corinthia is also an active member of her church where she enjoys being on the praise dance team. She also recently attended Rowan Regional Medical Center's Camp Med and serves as a camp counselor for the City of Salisbury Recreation Department.

Corinthia is a busy young lady as she also participates in the Salisbury-Rowan Community Service Council Workforce Investment Act Program (WIA) and works at the local Pizza Hut Restaurant.

The Centralina Youth Council is proud to have such distinguished members and appreciates all the hard work they contribute to the youth of our region. For more information about the Centralina Youth Council contact Stephanie Boger at 704.348.2725 or sboger@centralina.org.

* * * * * * *


The City of Kannapolis and the Cabarrus Regional Partnership Hold a Presentation on Biotechnology for Youth

With all the talk of the North Carolina Research Campus and biotechnology, it's important that those who will benefit from it understand what it's all about.

So instead of giving another lecture to a room of adults, the City of Kannapolis and the Cabarrus Regional Partnership partnered together for a presentation for middle and high school students on May 9th at Northwest Cabarrus High School in Concord.

In addition, the students received a tour of the Agri-Science Department at Northwest Cabarrus High School. The students saw how biotechnology is used in the classroom (and outside of the classroom) every day.

During presentations from those involved in the field and the North Carolina Research Campus, Dr. Mark Clemens, UNC-Charlotte professor, explained that biotechnology is defined as a collection of technologies that use living cells and/or biological molecules to solve problems and make useful products.

Within the North Carolina Research Campus, Tom Sanctis, vice president of commercial construction for Castle & Cooke, said research will be done on things like extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

Sanctis stated that during points in time, there will be more than 1,000 construction workers building and in a little over two years, 2,200 professionals and support staff will work on the campus in addition to the continued construction efforts.

There will be opportunities for job shadowing and internships among the universities involved with the campus and other companies. For those who don't want to enter the biotechnology field in any way, there will also be retail, administrative, food service and other jobs needed for a growing population.

As for the high school curriculum, Dr. Patricia Woods, career-tech education director for Kannapolis City Schools, said the students need to look at what courses they have now and what they need to change or add in order to link it all together to fit with what the research campus needs.

The subject of a possible teen center also drew interest from a number of students. Jennifer Woodford, City of Kannapolis community relations director, said if there's enough interest, they will put a group together to discuss a program. The main thing the city needs, she said, is input from the students.

For more information on the North Carolina Research Campus, please check out the special section on the campus on the Centralina Workforce Development Board website at www.centralinaworks.com.


* * * * * * *

The Cyber Campus at A.L. Brown High School brings Businesses together with Students

The Cyber Campus at A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis (Cabarrus County) received its first broadcast program in August 1997. Since that time, the technology-focused learning center has kept growing and changing, becoming hub of advanced education and one of the only facilities of its kind in North Carolina.

"The Cyber Campus is really a multifaceted entity because we also do video conferencing," JoAnna Goss, manager of the Cyber Campus stated. "Some of our classes are taught by the School of Science and Math in Durham."

Outside of strictly education programs, the Cyber Campus is also helping spread information through local organizations.

"In the past, we've done a PowerPoint presentation with videos that the Employment Security Commission/JobLink Career Center used," Goss said. "And one year we did a video that Habitat for Humanity used for its campaign. We've also done some videos for the Cabarrus Arts Council."

All of these projects were produced with the help of A.L. Brown students during technology education internships. Right now, students are working on a video for the Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center, which will be used to train job seekers on the right and wrong ways to dress, act and interview for a job. Local department stores donated clothes to be used by the youth that participated in the creation of the JobLink video, as well as requested a copy of it to show to their employees. The video will also be available to other organizations and businesses. A final version of the video should be available by late summer.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud to be partners with the A.L. Brown High School Cyber Campus and the Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center. For more information on the Centralina Youth Council, please contact Stephanie Boger at (704) 348-2725 or by email at sboger@centralina.org.

* * * * * * *

South Piedmont Community College Hosts Summer Health Career Camp


South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) will host Camp Health Tech, June 12-16, on the Old Charlotte Highway Campus at 4209 Old Charlotte Highway in Monroe.

The camp's hours will be from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. The day camp will allow students entering grades 10-12 to explore health care careers. Students will participate in medical science workshops, talk with health care professionals and tour facilities.

A mandatory parent and student orientation will be held June 6 at 6 p.m. at SPCC's Old Charlotte Highway Campus.

Camp Health Tech is co-sponsored by the Charlotte Area Health Education Center HEROS program. Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day through the support of Anson Community Hospital.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the Centralina Youth Council are proud partners with South Piedmont Community College and believes in educating youth for preparation for the workforce. For more information on Camp Health Tech, please contact Arvonia Edwards at (704) 272-5416.

For more information on the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please contact David Hollars at (704) 348-2717 or by email at dhollars@centralina.org. For more information on the Centralina Youth Council, please contact Stephanie Boger at (704) 348-2725 or by email at sboger@centralina.org.
 

 

  
  • Dr. Michael Taylor, President of Stanly Community College was recognized at the recent statewide community college student government association spring conference with the Ray Jefferies award. The award is given to a person for "displaying outstanding leadership and support to the North Carolina Community College Student Government Association (NCCCSGA)." Dr. Taylor is truly a leader in Stanly County and the region and we applauded his efforts.

  • Congratulations go out to Keva Walton who joined the Charlotte Chamber as Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships on May 30, 2006. Keva has worked for several years with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont in workforce development. Walton will oversee the Chamber's diversity programs and serve as a liaison between the Chamber and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Development Corporation.

  • Dr. Helen Parker, Regional Administrator for the US Department of Labor, was the commencement speaker at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's 43rd annual graduation ceremonies held on Saturday May 13 at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center.

  • Centralina WDB Chair Bob VanGorden has been selected to serve on the NC Commission on Workforce Development's Boards and Commission Capacity Committee. Bob's business background and experiences will allow him to provide valuable input to this important committee.

  • South Piedmont Community College has received approval from the NC Board of Nursing to begin an Associate Degree Nursing program.

  • Barbara Sammons is the new finance officer with The Resource Development Center, Inc., the WIA Youth program contractor for Stanly County.

  • Denise Miller is the new finance officer with I Care, Inc., the WIA Youth program contractor for Iredell and Lincoln counties.

· Centralina Workforce Development Board meeting
Tuesday June 13, 2006 - 4:30 PM
Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce - Kannapolis

· Centralina WDB Business Performance Committee meeting
Wednesday June 7, 2006 - 3:00 PM
Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce - Kannapolis

· Centralina WDB Youth Council meeting
Thursday June 8, 2006 - 10:00 AM
Cabarrus County Schools Administrative Offices - Concord

· Centralina WDB Workforce Readiness Committee meeting
Friday June 9, 2006 - 11:30 AM
Union County Partnership for Children - Monroe

· Business After Hours - Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce
Thursday June 15, 2006 - 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
East Lincoln Fish Fry - Lincolnton

· Centralina WDB Community Relations Committee meeting
Thursday June 22, 2006 - 4:00 PM
Southern Container - Mooresville

· Regional Bioinformatics/Biotech Forum on Education
Thursday June 15, 2006 - 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Ben Craig Center - Charlotte
Cost: $25 (lunch included)
RSVP at (704) 688-6502

· Competitive Workforce Alliance meeting
Thursday June 29, 2006 - 11:30 AM
Catawba Regional WIB offices - Rock Hill, SC

· Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Network
Practical, solution-oriented sessions devoted to YOUR business challenges!
2006 Business Dialogue Schedule
Dates: Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m.
May 10, July 12, September 13, & November 8
Facilitator: Marty Weaver, Business Network Chair with Clearly Carolina Water & Coffee
Register: 704.782.2000 ext.26 or http://www.cabarruschamber.org/calendar.php

· Junior Achievement is looking for volunteers and sponsors in Cabarrus County
Opportunities:
-Volunteer
-Sponsor a class or child
-Help lead the success of JA in Cabarrus County
Contact: Michelle Punch, Junior Achievement Director of Programs
704.563.4857 or mpunch@jacarolinas.org

NC Workforce Development Training Center Training Announcements

Assessment and Planning
Wednesday June 7, 2006
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Workforce Development Training Center
(313 Chapanoke Rd - Raleigh)
Fee: $45

LMI: A Guided Tour
Monday June 12, 2006
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: McDowell Technical Community College
(54 College Drive - Marion)
Fee: No Charge

For more information about these and other training offerings or to register for training, please visit: www.ncwdtc.com

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
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