The Centralina Workforce Development Board (WDB) is proud to recognize the five area employers that have received Incumbent Workforce Development Program funding in the first round for 2005-2006. The Centralina Workforce Development Board approved these grants with funding provided by the NC Department of Commerce Commission on Workforce Development. Each employer will receive the requested amount of funds to help upgrade the skills of their current workforce as listed below:

Amesbury Group Textile is located in Statesville (Iredell County) and produces weather stripping for windows and doors. The company requested funds to assist 81 employees with Leadership and Facilitator Training through Mitchell Community College, Team Communication Skills training through ProSource Industrial Training, and Statistical Process Controls and Yellow Belt Training through The Patmos Group. Amesbury Group is receiving $36,920 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded November 1, 2005.

Carolinas Medical Center - Union (formerly Union Regional Medical Center) is located in Monroe and has a 14-bed Critical Care unit providing patient recovery service. They requested funds to train 38 current employees including 24 Registered Nurses and 14 other Nurse Assistants and ward secretaries. Training for Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification will be completed through online courses offered by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. South Piedmont Community College will provide Teambuilding skills. Carolinas Medical Center - Union (Critical Care Unit) is receiving $22,550 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded November 1, 2005.

Michelin Aircraft Tire Corporation is located in Norwood (Stanly County) and is a manufacturer of aircraft tires for commercial, military, private and original equipment customers. The company plans to offer training to a total of 46 employees. This includes Six Sigma Green Belt training for 2 employees, Lean 100 training for 24 employees and assistance with conducting 3 Lean Events involving 20 employees. The training will be provided through North Carolina State University Industrial Extension Services. Michelin Aircraft Tire Corp. is receiving $34,825 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded November 1, 2005.

NGK Ceramics USA, Inc. is located in Mooresville (Iredell County). The company manufactures ceramic materials used in catalytic converters for the automotive industry. The company plans to train 68 employees with grant funds. Their training plan calls for North Carolina State University Industrial Extension Service to provide Project Management training and training in Good Manufacturing Practices for the Laboratory. Quality Leadership Systems, Inc. will provide TS16949 Internal Auditor Training and The Employers Association of Charlotte will conduct Leadership Development for Supervisors. NGK Ceramics USA, Inc. is receiving $37,500 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded November 2, 2005.

PGI Polymer Group, Inc. also in Mooresville (Iredell County), makes nonwoven materials primarily used in hygiene and medical applications. The company requested funding to train 150 supervisors/managers, customer service representatives and other associates. Employees will receive Leadership Training and Customer Service Training focused on making the company more competitive. Mitchell Community College will provide two series of Leadership Training classes and training in Root Cause Analysis. ProSource Industrial Training will provide associate teambuilding training and Customer Communications training. PGI, Polymer Group, Inc. is receiving $30,829 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded November 2, 2005.

A grand total of $162,624 in economic development investment in existing businesses is made possible through the Incumbent Workforce Development Program. We thank the companies, the training providers, and the employees for their willingness to build a stronger workforce and business environment in our region. For the Centralina WDB, workforce development is economic development.

For more information and guidelines on the Incumbent Workforce Development Program please visit www.centralinaworks.com/whatshot.cfm or contact Vail Carter at 704.348.2710.

New Resources for Helping Small Businesses from Around the Region…

The Centralina Workforce Development Board recognizes the importance of entrepreneurs in our communities and the direct effect this has on our economy. Nationally, small business is a consistent source of job growth innovation. Over half of the region's private sector employment is found in businesses that employ fewer than 100 people and nearly a quarter of jobs are found in businesses employing 50 or fewer employees. Again, this is just one piece of information that emphasizes the strategic and economic importance of small businesses, both to our existing and future economy.

We have many local organizations that provide resources to aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as, support for those who have recently started their own business. Those include the recent development of the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurs Resource Center, New Ventures Business Development Center, Inc., and various workshops sponsored by local JobLink Career Centers and The Entrepreneur's Source.

The Rowan Chamber of Commerce now offers help on writing a business plan, evaluating accounting software packages, free counseling with representatives of the US Small Business Administration and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Small Business Center, and hundreds of online resources with the "How to Start or Expand Your Own Small Business" resource guide. The resource center also offers a workstation with full versions of Microsoft Office 2003, Peachtree Accounting, Quickbooks, and many more. The center is free and open to any start-up or growing business Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is located in the Chamber quarters at the Gateway Building in Salisbury. For more information please visit http://www.rowanchamber.com or call 704.633.4221.

The New Ventures Business Development Center has been established to work with any business in Anson and Union counties. Its target market is small, homegrown businesses. There are two centers that offer one-on-one assistance with developing a business plan, marketing plan, networking opportunities, website development, and many additional services to those who are starting a new business or improving their existng business. The Anson County Center is located in the South Piedmont Community College Lockhart-Taylor Center at 514 North Washington Street in Wadesboro and the Union County Center is located in the Chamber of Commerce building at 903 Skyway Drive in Monroe. For more information about the New Ventures Business Development Center visit http://www.nvbdi.org/ or call 704. 272.5457.

The Iredell County JobLink Career Center in conjuction with The Entrepreneur's Source is hosting an upcoming free seminar on self-employment and franchise options. This seminar has a special focus on U.S. Veterans to learn about self-employment options. The seminar will be held on Tuesday December 6, 2005 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the VFW Post 2031 in Statesville. Seating is limited, so for reservations please call 704.878.4241.

Coordinating workforce, education, and community resources to promote small business and entrepreneurial opportunities is an effective approach and only one of the roles the Centralina Workforce Development Board plays across the region.For more information about entrepreneurial resources in your community please contact your local JobLink Career Center. For contact information please click here.

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SPELLit
Literacy Council of Union County Seeks Groups for First Annual SCRABBLE Tournament

During January 2006, groups from around Union County will participate in community SPELLit Events to raise money for the Literacy Council of Union County. Any group interested in playing SCRABBLE and willing to generate a minimum of $100 for the Literacy Council is invited to conduct a preliminary Community SPELLit Event. Neighborhoods, social clubs, church groups, or simply a group of friends are encouraged to join the fun! The community events must be held during January 2006. Participating groups may select the date, time and location of their event. The Literacy Council has 10 SCRABBLE Boards available for checkout and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Two winners from each of the preliminary events will qualify to participate in the SPELLit Final Tournament to be held on February 25, 2006 at the Clubhouse at Weddington Chase.

The purpose of the SPELLit competition is two-fold. It will create awareness of illiteracy conditions in Union County and our need for volunteer tutors to teach adults to read, as well as, raise funds for the Literacy Council, whose services including books and materials, are provided free of charge. The Council serves approximately 200 students each year with plans for continued growth. For more information on details of the SPELLit Event or to register a group please contact the Literacy Council of Union County at 704.226.1425. The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to partner with the Council to promote literacy efforts in Union County.

Employment Statistics
(Updated Monthly on this E-Newsletter)

For more information on employment, click here.

Stanly Life Path Program Reaches Out Another Young Life Gets Back On Track Tim Napier of Stanly County never knew his birth father and was neglected much of his life by his mother. His home environment was extremely unstable and at an early age Tim learned how to survive through drugs (taking and selling them). Though he was intelligent, social difficulties made it hard to make school a priority. He was "kicked out" of the last secure home he knew when his girlfriend's father told him to leave. Tim explains, "It was the best thing that could happen to me. It made me realize I had to take responsibility for my own life." At 20 years old, Tim found himself living in a city park, under a bridge, and taking shelter under a junked, semi-truck trailer. Mrs. Peggy Mabry, his former teacher from North Stanly High School knew about his situation and gave him the phone number of a Life Path staff person. Tim called immediately and enrolled in the Life Path GED Program and was given a job through Life Path's Out-of-School Work Program. Further, Tim was directed to a Stanly County School teacher/principal and coach, Mr. Curtis Parker. Mr. Parker is the Principal of the new Stanly County Academy and head coach of the North Stanly High School football team. Tim works with "Coach" (Mr. Parker) helping with the football team and other duties around the school. Tim can be found during the week in the field house sorting equipment, washing jerseys, and setting up for daily practice routines. On Friday, game night, you will find him perched up in the press box video taping the game. During the week, Tim makes sure the video equipment is running properly. Thanks to the Stanly Life Path Program and his mentors Tim is back on track and has a bright future ahead. The miracle has continued ever since. For more information on the Stanly County Life Path Program please visit http://www.thelifepath.com/ or contact Bill Baldwin at 704.982.0120. Tim Napier enrolled in the Life Path GED Program and was given a job through Life Path's Out-of-School Work Program. ******* Centralina Youth Council Welcomes Newest Member Ms. Unshay Mull from Iredell County joined the Centralina Workforce Development Board's Youth Council as a member at their meeting on November 17, 2005. Ms. Mull is a high school graduate and is currently a freshman at Mitchell Community College in Statesville. She is a full time student and member of the Dream Builders Organization and serves as a peer mediator. Unshay is an enthusiastic young lady and true leader. She is also a participant in the I-Care, Inc. Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program in Statesville where she is taking part in a work experience activity at Xavier's Barber Shop and attending classes full-time. Unshay is preparing to take the ACT Exam early next year so that she can apply to Winston-Salem State University next fall. Ms. Mull joined the Centralina Youth Council as a young adult representing Iredell County. Ms. Monique Phoenix, WIA Case Manager, nominated Unshay for membership. The Centralina Workforce Development Board supports WIA programs within a seven county region. For more information about the Centralina Youth Council please contact Stephanie Boger at 704.348.2725 or visit www.way2work.org. ******* Save the Date! National Youth Service Day April 21 - 23, 2006 Millions of Young People Will Change the World Mark your calendar and reserve the date! National Youth Service Day 2006 will be held April 21-23. It is a public awareness and education campaign that highlights the contributions that young people make to their communities. On this day, young people will design and lead service-learning projects and in areas ranging from literacy and the environment, to healthcare, hunger, and help for the elderly. The goals of National Youth Service Day are to mobilize youth to identify and address the needs of their communities through service, to support youth on a life-long path of service and civic engagement and to educate the public, the media, and policymakers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders. Locally, the Centralina Youth Council, local WIA youth service providers, and other agencies will be sponsoring and participating in events linked to National Youth Service Day in April. Look for further details in coming issues of this newsletter! For more information and a planning toolkit please visit www.ysa.org/nysd.

• Centralina WDB Community Relations Committee Meeting
  Thursday December 1, 2005 - 4:00 PM
  Southern Container Corporation - Mooresville
  
  
• Rowan-Salisbury BizEd Connect Meeting
  December 9, 2005 - 12:00 PM
  Rowan-Cabarrus Community College - Salisbury
  
  
• Union County JobReady Partnership Meeting
  December 15, 2005 - 12:00 PM
  Carolinas Medical Center / Union - Monroe

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