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December 2015
In This Issue

   powered by the Centralina WDB
What's Happening in the Region?
The Formula for Success: Education and Employment

Charlotte Area Fund Host 32nd Annual Business Seminar Luncheon
 
  

The Charlotte Area Fund, Inc. (CAF) held its 32nd Business Seminar Luncheon on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at the Embassy Suites in Charlotte.  Centralina WDB Executive Director, David Hollars participated as the event facilitator.  

David Hollars
The purpose of the event was to provide attendees with valuable information relevant to their work in serving those less fortunate in our communities. CAF strives to create an awareness of issues impacting the community and acquaint businesses with the benefits of partnering with each other to enhance the workplace.  The organization particularly emphasize the importance of re-establishing and cultivating 
collaborative partnerships for community solutions.  

This year's seminar format allowed the audience to participate during the seminar portion of the program. Over 80 guest engaged in discussion with their tablemates responding to questions that were placed at each table.  Upon the conclusion of the discussion period, a spokesperson from each table reported the information.  

Some of the questions included the following: 
  • How can the business community offer financial security for the prevention of poverty among the Millennials and Generation Z? 
  • How can the business community combat "generational poverty" and turn it into "generational wealth"? 
  • What are the technological skills required to bridge the gap of the digital divide in Mecklenburg County?    
  • How can current educational systems in Mecklenburg County improve to prepare students to compete in a global economy? 
At the conclusion of the event, CAF staff presented awards to businesses that provided consistent service to the agency and constituents. 

The following companies  were given awards for ten years of services:
  • Employment Plus 
  • HMS Host 
  • Randstad 
The Centralina Workforce Development Board  was honored to participate during the event. For more information regarding the Charlotte Area Fund, visit www.charlotteareafund.org or contact David Hollars at 704-348-2717 or at   dhollars@centralina.org. 

   

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Learning that Works in Rowan County 

Rowan-Salisbury School System Career and Technical Education (CTE)Business Drop-In



  
In order for students to succeed, society must prepare them for the workforce.  Not only prepare them for college but get them career ready.  

In efforts to prepare Rowan County students in achieve long-lasting careers in the 21st century, the Rowan-Salisbury School System held a Career and Technical Education Business Partner Drop-in on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at the Carter Building in Salisbury.  

The purpose of the event was to feature innovative students and teachers in all of Rowan-Salisbury's CTE program areas which includes: 
  • Agriculture
  • Business & Finance
  • Family and Consumer Science
  • Health Science 
  • Marketing 
  • Trade and Industrial (Carpentry, Masonry, Drafting, etc)
Centralina Workforce Services staff speaking with West Rowan teacher about his Masonry class
Business partners were invited to the event to see how the Rowan-Salisbury School System is preparing the students to be the future workforce for Rowan County and how they can get involved.   Asia Wilson, Centralina WDB Communications Specialist  was in attendance along with staff from Centralina Workforce Services, the NCWorks Career Center-Rowan, and NEXGEN contractor--Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency.  Centralina WDB Executive Director David Hollars also attended the event. 

All guests were able to speak with teachers from different schools around Rowan County. Each teacher explained what they are teaching in their classrooms to prepare students for the workforce.  Rowan-Salisbury School System leaders also explained that there are opportunities for business partnerships as well, such as sponsoring an intern, speaking to a class, attending a career fair, and serving on the Business Advisory Board. 

A unique feature of the Business Drop-In was the opportunity for attendees to get interactive information about the CTE programs and real careers. Each attendee received a tablet upon entering the event and they were directed on how to position the tablet over the career information pictures hanging on the walls at the Carter building. Once the tablet focused, attendees were able to see a short video on each CTE career. Everyone really enjoyed this and learned so much more through this interactive activity!

The mission of the CTE program is to empower all students to be successful citizens, workers, and leaders in a global economy.  The CTE program fulfills this by: 

  • Preparing students for post-secondary education in career and technical fields and lifelong learning. 
  • Preparing students for initial and continued employment. 
  • Assisting students in making educational and career decisions.
  • Applying and reinforcing related learning from other disciplines. 
  • Assisting students in developing decision-making, communications, problem-solving, leadership, and citizenship skills. 
  • Preparing students to make informed consumer decisions and apply practical life skills. 
  • Making appropriate provisions for students.
When students participate in the CTE program as an integral part of the total school experience, and when partnerships impact the educational community to provide a seamless transition to educational and career goals, then Rowan County will develop a more talented workforce that successfully recruits and retains new business and industry.  In return, students will be empowered for success. 

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the NEXGEN Council are both proud partners with the Rowan-Salisbury School System. 

For more information regarding the Rowan-Salisbury School System's Career and Technical Education program, contact Mandy Mills, Lead Career Development Coordinator for Rowan-Salisbury Schools at Mandy.Mills@rss.k12.nc.us or 704-630-6018. 

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Our Region, Our Partners
Iredell Community Action Research and Evaluation INC. (I-CARE) Celebrates 50 Years of Service 

Centralina WDB Partners Making a Continuous Difference in Iredell and Lincoln Counties

 
 
On Tuesday December 8, 2015, I-CARE Inc. celebrated its 50th anniversary during a dinner ceremony at the Statesville Civic Center in Iredell County.  

The non-profit agency and Centralina WDB partners, which serves Iredell, Lincoln, Catawba, and Alexander counties, help families move toward self sufficiency.  In 1965 Reverend Jordon C. Harris took interest in this new establishment and worked hard to create the new organization.  He wanted to establish an anti-poverty program for Iredell County's low-income residents.  After conducting a vast amount of research, the organization was created and approved by the Office of Economic Opportunity as a non-profit corporation in December 1965. 

Today, 50 years later, the organization's youth program is helping Centralina WDB NEXGEN young adults in Iredell and Lincoln counties.  

"Our goal is to change people's lives, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and help each other," said Bryan Duncan, Executive Director for I-CARE Inc

"There's still a huge problem with poverty in our communities, and we want to touch more lives." 

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the NEXGEN Council were glad to be in attendance during the event. Centralina WDB Youth Specialist Solomon McAuley represented the Board and Council. 

For more information regarding I-CARE Inc., contact, Solomon McAuley at 704-348-2725 or smcauley@centralina.org .  

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North Carolina Manufacturing Institute Wraps Up a Great Inaugural Year 


The North Carolina Manufacturing Institute(NCMI) would like to thank the many partners and supporters who have supported NCMI efforts for 2015. As we move forward, 2016 promises to be even better with more training, more opportunities, and more Certified Production Technician graduates with the potential to fill critical hiring needs in Rowan and Cabarrus counties.  


The coordinated marketing efforts of the Centralina Workforce Development Board and its maintenance of the NCMI  website www.ncmanufacturinginstitute.com  and NCWorks Career Center staff assistance, along with timely publicity, increased community awareness of the importance of manufacturing to the economy and the availability of rewarding careers.  The NCMI has established an effective pipeline through which local employers now have convenient and quick access to qualified candidates. 

These efforts produced the following results: 

  • 180 Discovery Session attendees in seven months directly exposed to the importance of manufacturing and the availability of good, well-paying jobs in that sector. 
  • 3 eight-week training classes held starting in June, August, and September with 27 Certified Production Technicians graduating from the eight week-training program. 
  • 12 field trips to local employers and training labs. 
  •  3 interview fairs held for the NCMI partners to meet the graduates, with an 86% employer participation rate. 
  • 20 graduates hired, 13 by NCMI partners, within one month of graduation due largely to the Partner Interview Fairs. 
  • 7 highly-qualified and national certified graduates still available for interviewing. 

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to partner with the North Carolina Manufacturing Institute and its many partners in effort to train, motivate, and build long lasting careers for individuals in the manufacturing field. A huge thank you to Craig Lamb and the great staff at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College for all their hard work in making the NCMI a reality and now a real success!

For more information about the NCMI, contact  Donna Ludwig at donna.ludwig@rccc.edu or 704-216-3668. 

Please look to the Centralina WDB's e-newsletter next month, for more exciting stories.  

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News You Can Use
Mark Spitzer is New Leader at North Carolina Research Campus

World Renown Kannapolis Facility Ready for the Future


Mark Spitzer
Mark Spitzer, most recently Director of Human Resources for Castle & Cooke Inc,  has been promoted to Vice President of North Carolina operations. David H. Murdock, the creator of the North Carolina Research Campus made the announcement earlier this month. 

"I am strongly committed to the mission of the N.C. Research Campus and to all of our operations in North Carolina," Murdock said. "I feel Mark is the right person to help us succeed in achieving the vision of the campus and leading our North Carolina operations."

Spitzer will work closely with leaders of various constituencies in the community around the North Carolina Research Campus and the David H. Murdock Research Institute. Spitzer will also oversee Castle & Cooke's real estate, recreational and hospitality operations in and around Cabarrus County.  

Spitzer has experience in professional and management roles in academia, construction, and human resources.  With over 35 years of experience in the industry, he has strengthened the leadership and collaborative skills of the management and executive teams at Flying Tigers, Rockwell International and National Medical Enterprises.  

The Centralina Workforce Development Board would like to congratulate Mark Spitzer as he begins his new role at the North Carolina Research Campus.  


$2.5M Facility Adds 40 Jobs in Stanly County




Piedmont Custom Meats,  a company who specializes in meat processing recently announced that they will spend $2.5 million to open a second location in North Carolina.  The new location will be located in Stanly County adding 40 jobs.  

Piedmont Custom Meats currently has a plant in Caswell County.  The company processes regionally sourced meats for ranchers and other customers. The company will renovate its newest 30,000-square-foot location in Richfield.  

On December 17, 2015 the N.C. Department of Commerce's Rural Economic Development Division approved a $500,000 grant to fix the 1978 building.  

According to the Charlotte Business Journal, Donna Moore, President of Piedmont Custom Meats said the new location will allow the company to grow. 

"We believe our new location in Stanly County not only offers a strategic location in North Carolina that will allow us to serve customers throughout the southeast U.S., but provide the workforce, resources, and support we need to continue our success and build our business," Moore said.

The Stanly County EDC  worked with the  N.C. Department of Commerce, the  North Carolina Community College System, the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce, and Stanly Community College with the  new county expansion project.  Congratulations to  Paul Stratos, President of Stanly County EDC and Centralina Workforce Development Board Member, and his team for their efforts with this project.   

Please continue to look to the Centralina WDB e-newsletter for more developments in the region.  

COMINGS AND GOINGS


A New Face Leads the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce 

Terry Crawford
Terry Crawford, current board member and immediate past chairman of the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce has been named interim president and CEO.  

The transition took effective immediately earlier this month. Crawford replaced former President and CEO, Patrick Coughlin. According to the Independent Tribune, Tammy Whaley, Board Chairwoman stated this was a personnel decision. 

"The Board of Directors decided to make a leadership change.  We thank Patrick for the two years he put into the organization and county and wish him all the best," Whaley said.   

Crawford a resident of Cabarrus County for over 10 years, has 45 years of hotel expertise, extensive business, tourism, and economic development experience.  Crawford is very involved in the community.  He is the Vice Chairman of the City of Concord Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners. He also served as Board member and Chairman of the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Board Member of the Cabarrus Arts Council, and was the General Manager of the Embassy Suites Golf Resort and Spa in Concord. 

The Centralina Workforce Development Board welcomes Terry Crawford as he begins his new role.  For more Cabarrus County updates, please look to next month's Centralina WDB e-newsletter. 

Dr. Stan Sidor Finds New Role in Florida 

Dr. Stan Sidor
Dr. Stan Sidor, President of South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) has accepted the position of President at Lake-Sumter State College in Florida.  

Dr. Sidor has been very vital to both Anson and Union counties. Since he started with the college in 2011, he has worked closely with the Centralina Workforce Development Board on many initiatives. 

Dr. Sidor will continue to serve as President of SPCC until the end of January.  Dr. Jerry McGee and Joyce Long will serve as the college's interim Presidents.   Dr. McGee, the recently
Dr. Jerry McGee
retired Wingate University President, will begin his new responsibilities on March 1. Long, currently SPCC's Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer, will serve as interim President for the month of February. 

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud of Dr. Sidor's many accomplishments and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.  

Chris Lowder Named Superintendent of Cabarrus County Schools

Chris Lowder
Chris Lowder was sworn in as the new superintendent of Cabarrus County Schools earlier this month.  

Lowder was named interim superintendent in March of 2015. He began his career with the district as an English teacher at Central Cabarrus High School in 1992. He also served as an assistant principal, principal and director of high school curriculum, and  on the Centralina Workforce Development Board's Youth Council.  

Lowder earned his bachelor's degree in English education from UNC-Chapel Hill and two master's degrees from UNC Charlotte. 

The Centralina Workforce Development Board and the NEXGEN Council are both proud of Lowder's new role.  For more exciting developments in the Centralina region, please look to the next Centralina WDB e-newsletter in 2016! 

On the Behalf of the Centralina Workforce Development Board and Centralina WDB Staff...


See You Next Year! 

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Contact Us

Visit our websites at   

centralinaworks.com, WAY2WORK, and NCWORKSONLINE 

to learn more about the Centralina WDB.  

 

To send a comment about our E-Newsletter,

email awilson@centralina.org 

 

 

REMEMBER

 

Visit Centralina's NCWorks Career Centers in 7 counties!

 

ANSON, CABARRUS, LINCOLN, IREDELL-MOORESVILLE, IREDELL-STATESVILLE, LINCOLN, ROWAN, STANLY, UNION COUNTIES

CAREER CENTER LOCATIONS  

 

Workshops are held daily at Centralina's NCWorks Career Centers.

 

If you are an organization interested in hosting a workshop, please contact your local NCWorks Career Center or David Hollars at 704-348-2717 or dhollars@centralina.org 

 

 Visit Our Website!