Centralina Youth Council
Welcomes New Members

The Centralina Workforce Development Board Youth Council is pleased to announce four new members: Mr. Alex Carruth, a sophomore at Concord High School (Cabarrus County); Mr. Joseph Pate, Director of the Beth Haltiwanger Retreat Center & Outdoor Programs with Pfeiffer University (Stanly County); Ms. Lori Ivey, 4-H Agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension (Stanly County); and Mr. Ken Edwards, Director of Career & Technical Education for Stanly County Schools. The Youth Council wishes to extend appreciation to its new members and their commitment to serve.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board Youth Council met on Thursday September 19, 2002 at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. The council had an extensive agenda including, the appointment of new members as well as the appointment of a Vice-Chair. A discussion of ideas took place regarding a Mentoring/Youth and Family Literacy Project for the Centralina Region. The Youth Council also began the process of developing its own "Centralina Youth Council Logo."

(L-R) Alex Carruth, Joseph Pate, Lori Ivey and Ken Edwards are new members of the Centralina WDB Youth Council.

Vocational Rehabilitation: It Works for Our Employers and Customers

Wesley's Story
Wesley, a 21 year old male, had a good work history since graduating high school, until being laid off last year due to the warehouse closing their operations. Though he has a mild mental disability and speech problem, Wesley always focuses on what he can do, both in his personal life and his work life. His family also gives him a lot of support to work independently. Vocational Rehabilitation (a JobLink partner since 1995) was happy to work with Wesley to get another job and to provide a job coach to help learn the duties of the new job.

Standard Register, a large specialty printing company in Union County, expressed an interest in employing Wesley in a custodial capacity. The job responsibilities were keeping a very large plant and large office area clean and involved many different tasks so Wesley and the company requested a job coach. Wesley's history indicated that his productivity was as good as anyone's after he was able to learn all the components of a job. Vocational Rehabilitation sponsored (paid for) a job coach who worked closely with Standard Register to develop a task schedule for Wesley. The job coach then provided training on the job for Wesley for three weeks, gradually reducing the support of the job coach over that period.

By the end of the three weeks, Wesley had exceeded everyone's expectations. He was then able to take on additional duties, which had been provided by a contract cleaning service thus saving the company a substantial amount of money. Wesley continues to work there, and both he and the employer couldn't be happier with this job match.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services has assisted with successful matches like Wesley's for many years and seeks to expand the partnerships with employers throughout Union County and surrounding areas. If you would like more information about services available for employers or clients, contact the Vocational Rehabilitation office in Monroe at (704) 289-2543.

News You Can Use

Upcoming Events:

• Centralina WDB Meeting
  Tuesday, October 8, 2002 - 4:30 PM
  Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (South campus) - Concord
• 2002 NC Workforce Development Partnership Conference: Resilience For Changing Times
  October 23-25, 2002, Joseph S. Koury Center
  Greensboro, North Carolina

Employment Statistics
(Updated Monthly on this E-Newsletter)

For more information on employment, click here.

Mitchell Community College:
A JobLink Partner Committed to Excellence

Mitchell Community College is committed to providing affordable, high-quality educational and training programs to meet the changing and diverse needs of adults in Iredell County. As a JobLink Partner, Mitchell CC provides information and assistance for persons interested in additional re-training opportunities. The Curriculum Program offers a variety of degrees, diplomas, and certificates which assist students in achieving their educational and career goals. Degree programs include: Associate in Arts, Business Administration, Human Services Technology, Information Systems, and Medical Assisting. Diplomas and certificates are available in areas such as air conditioning, welding, basic law enforcement training, and phlebotomy. For persons who are undecided about their career path, the college's Career Planning and Placement Office can offer interest and ability testing to assist students in choosing a specific course of study.

In addition, Mitchell's Continuing Education Program provides the opportunity for students to pursue occupational training in areas such as certified nursing assistant, computer technology, real estate pre-licensing, and auto safety inspection. The Basic Skills Program allows students to obtain their GED and review academic concepts before entering curriculum programs. For non-English speaking persons, the English as a Second Language Program provides instruction in speaking, understanding, writing and reading the English language. Through the HRD Program, students may acquire job-seeking skills as well as learn computer skills to assist in employment. The fee for these HRD courses is waived for unemployed and underemployed persons. Also, the Small Business Center provides seminars and training for citizens who are interested in starting their own businesses. On-line courses are available in many of Mitchell's programs.

A staff person from Mitchell Community College is located at the Statesville JobLink Career Center on Tuesday mornings and at the Mooresville JobLink Career Center on Monday mornings to assist clients in their job search and to inform them about available training opportunities. Clients are encouraged to pursue their GED (if necessary) and take additional curriculum and continuing education classes in order to increase their job marketability.

Mitchell Community College has an excellent working relationship with the other JobLink partnering agencies. In collaboration with ESC, the College offers weekly job-seeking skills workshops for persons interested in increasing prospects for employment. During the past year, Mitchell has provided orientation sessions for 490 dislocated workers and they have provided job-seeking skills workshops for over 1100 persons who were trying to obtain employment. Mitchell Community College is also an active participant in all Rapid Response Orientation Sessions and frequently participates in events with other partners such as job fairs, Department of Social Services Amnesty Day, and informational sessions with area schools.

For more information on Mitchell Community College, visit their website - www.mitchell.cc.us.us or access through the "Links" section of the Centralina WDB website - www.centralinaworks.com.

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