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Many organizations and schools throughout North Carolina designate the September as "Literacy Month." They take time to celebrate and create awareness around the importance of literacy. This includes Gaston College, which recently held their 2005 General Education Development (GED) and Adult High School Graduation for students, including those from Lincoln County and surrounding areas. The ceremony took place at the Myers Center Auditorium on September 16, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. Family and friends filled the auditorium to celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime event for the students. Several students were awarded a special diploma with honor. To be eligible for this award, a student must have a grade point average of 90 or above in the Adult High School Diploma program or a total score of 3000 or above in the GED program. These graduates wore honor tassels of gold on their caps. As a proud partner and supporter of local community colleges such as Gaston College and their efforts to increase literacy for local citizens, the Centralina Workforce Development Board sponsored a reception immediately following the ceremony. Graduates were presented with a Centralina WDB gift bag, including a Job Hunting skills handbook. Light refreshments were served. The reception also gave students the opportunity to congratulate one another and take pictures with family members and friends. The Board congratulates each student on their hard work and continued success! For more information on Gaston College Continuing Education programs please visit http://www.gaston.edu.
GED Testing Service's latest publication is their 2003 GED Statistical Report, published in July 2005. Data for the 2003 program year shows that North Carolina tied for second place for the highest GED test passing rate in the United States. Iowa had the highest rate with 95.2%. North Carolina and Delaware tied for second place with a passing rate of 93.9%. The average age of people who passed in North Carolina is 24.2 years old. The average age of people who passed in the United States is 23.8 %. The biggest age group is those age 20-24, not 16 and 17 year olds. "In a time when this region has suffered much economic and job loss it is encouraging to see that so many have returned to school and are gaining training and education that is vitally needed to provide for their economic success. It is hoped that this will be a new beginning for many," says Kathy Gardner, Associate Dean of Literacy and Learning Resources at Stanly Community College in Albemarle. These passing rates are a tribute to the students of North Carolina and to the community colleges that provide a much needed service to the state. Congratulations to all of North Carolina's GED programs, their staff and students for a job well done! The Centralina Workforce Development Board is pleased to be a part of retraining efforts through local Workforce Investment Act (WIA) services. For more information on the 2003 GED Statistical Report, contact the North Carolina Community College System at 919.807.7100, or click here for the the website.
The Literacy Council of Union County hosted its second annual DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) event on International Literacy Day, September 8, 2005, at four libraries in Union County. It was a huge success! Special guests read aloud selections of their own choosing. Some readers shared fiction while others read non-fiction. One even read the entire Declaration of Independence, which the audience found very moving. Several local authors participated, including Barbara Funderburk of Monroe, who is shown here. Please look for upcoming events and opportunities to get involved with the Union County Literacy Council in future E-Newsletters. The Centralina Workforce Development Board is honored to work with outstanding local literacy groups such as the Literacy Council of Union County. For more information about the Council or to find out how to volunteer, please contact Linda Moyer at 704.226.1425 or visit www.literacyunion.org.
Incumbent
Worker Training Continues to Help Local Businesses Grow
The Centralina Workforce Development Board has completed
the first application cycle for the Incumbent Workforce Development
Program. The application period closed on September 30, 2005. The Board
received a total of nine applications from area businesses seeking training
funds to upgrade the skills of current employees and increase the ability
for companies to compete in the global marketplace. The applications
were reviewed and signed off on by the Centralina WDB chairman. Funding
awards will be made on October 31, 2005. The maximum amount of funding for any project is $37,500. To view a copy of the guidelines or to download the application, visit http://www.centralinaworks.com/whatshot.cfm. Need help with the application process? Contact Centralina WDB Business Services Coordinator Vail Carter at 704.348.2710 or vcarter@centralina.org. The Centralina WDB is pleased to be an economic development leader in the region by providing the funding for quality training to make our current workforce even more competitive for today and for tomorrow.
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Employment
Statistics
For more information on employment, click here.  Rowan County Chamber of Commerce with their new Joblink Career Center banner. JobLink
Banners Blanketing As you are out and about in your community, have you noticed the new JobLink Career Centers banner? Your local chamber of commerce, library, community college, and other locations have installed JobLink Career Center banners. These high quality, professional banners will direct employers and job seekers to the excellent services offered at JobLink, including employee recruitment, job listings, training, and career guidance. The banners lead the public to just the right place to get ahead - JobLink, of course! The Centralina Workforce Development Board is delighted to develop and locate the banners in an effort to create awareness in each community that the local JobLink Career Center is their "one-stop" resource for businesses and those seeking employment, training, and career guidance. The following places have been designated as "homes" for each banner:
Don't worry Anson County! Your banners will be delivered and set up very soon. So, the next time you are out, stop in and check out the new banners! Interested in having one at your place of business or organization? Please contact David Hollars at 704.348.2717 or dhollars@centralina.org and soon your customers will know how to get ahead - through JobLink!
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Visit our website at www.centralinaworks.com
to learn more about the Centralina WDB |
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To learn more about the Centralina Council
of Governments please visit www.centralina.org
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| 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. |
Congratulations
to Mr. Andy Lucas who will begin his role as the new Anson County
Manager starting October 10, 2005. A drop-in reception to welcome
Mr. Lucas will be held on Thursday October 13, 2005 from 4 - 6 p.m.
in the Ingram Room at South Piedmont Community College's Lockhart-Taylor
Center in Wadesboro. He can be reached by calling 704.694.2796. 
The
Anson County Chamber of Commerce recently moved to a new location. The
chamber is now located in The Scarborough Building - 107-A East Wade
Street, Wadesboro, NC 28170. Contact the Anson County Chamber of Commerce
at 704.694.4181 or 
Ms.
Eunice Wilson was recognized at the grand opening as the first
young adult to complete her General Education Development Test
(GED) through the LEAP Center. Eunice dropped out of school to
get a job. After working hard to complete her GED, she now plans
to continue her education by attending cosmetology school. She
is currently working as a receptionist at I-Care, Inc. Eunice
is happy to be working and would say to other young people who
have dropped out of school, "Don't wait to get your GED because
it does not take that long and the classes are flexible. You can
work and make money while you are studying." 
The
Centralina Workforce Development Board Youth Council is pleased
to announce the membership of two new individuals representing
Rowan and Stanly counties. Ms. Corinthia Miller, a student at
North Rowan High School and Ms. Jean Rekowski, Director of Student
Activities at Pfeiffer University will both be serving on the
Council. 
