What's Working @ Charlotte Works: New Data Corner, Employer Recognition, Board Member Spotlight, & more!

2 ^nd Annual Employer Recognition Luncheon Awards

On June 7th, the NCWorks Career Centers powered by Charlotte Works held their second annual Employer Recognition Luncheon (ERL) at Project 658 in central Charlotte. The event honors outstanding partner-employers who have demonstrated a commitment to utilizing the Career Center’s resources for Mecklenburg County businesses. Seven exemplary companies were presented with crystal awards recognizing their dedication to providing employment and work experience opportunities for adults and youth.

Upon arriving, each guest given the opportunity to have a keepsake photo taken by a professional photographer before entering the ballroom. Once inside, there was extensive networking. The highlight of the luncheon was keynote speaker Damian Johnson. Mr. Johnson is an Executive Director with The John Maxwell Team; an international trainer, speaker and executive coach; and a motivating public speaker. His words were so compelling that many in the audience took notes throughout his lecture! As they exited, everyone was given a gift bag and a heartfelt thank you.

The event is intended to not only honor those employers who are using the Career Centers for their workforce needs but to increase awareness about these resources to others.

The 2019 ERL winners were: W.B. Moore Company, Occupancy Heroes Inc., Next Level Technician, Still Family LLC, Jackie Moss Nationwide Agency, Reliable Restorations and Frito Lay. Congratulations to all the winners.

Charlotte Works’ partner MeckEd hosts annual End of Year Celebration!

MeckEd hosted its annual End of Year celebration on June 22 at Hornet’s Nest Park to recognize students who graduated from high school this year.

The leadership team from Charlotte Works attended the event to congratulate the new graduates. All 48 graduates are headed to college. Several of them were offered full-ride scholarships to schools like UNC-Chapel Hill, Hutchinson Community College, East Carolina University, UNC-Charlotte, and Central Piedmont Community College.

We are excited witnessing the journey of the new graduates, and we look forward to partnering with MeckEd to continue preparing the next group of graduates to accomplish their definition of success!

Board of Directors ‘Spotlight:’ Matt Bradley

Company: Deloitte Consulting LLP

Title: Manager

How did you get involved with Charlotte Works?

I was introduced to Charlotte Works by Eric Lewis, Director of Business Engagement at Charlotte Works. We have a long-standing relationship spanning over 15 years. We met at a supply chain management training course, hit it off and remained friends. Last year, he knew that there was a vacancy and a need on the Board for a Transportation and Logistics expert to provide insight to Charlotte Works in this area and thought I would be a good fit for the role.

Why is workforce development so important to you?

Workforce development is important to me because I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to earn a livable wage to take care of themselves and/or their family, beyond just the life essentials of food, shelter and clothing. The reality is a college education is not for everyone for a myriad of reasons. However, learning a skill or vocation most often is attainable and readily applicable to immediate earning potential for a relatively moderate price, if not for free, due to organizations like Charlotte Works. It is a privilege and honor to serve on this Board and, in a very small way, contribute to helping provide these services and opportunities for workforce development within our community.

What excites you most about the direction of Charlotte Works and how will you contribute to it?

What excites me about the direction of Charlotte Works is the leadership within the organization. I believe in Danielle and her staff’s capabilities. They have a passion for what they are doing for and within the Charlotte Mecklenburg County community to train and equip citizens for the rapidly changing landscape of the modern workforce. In addition, we are relying on a metrics driven approach to workforce development that is forward thinking, not just reactionary to current market needs. They are looking to see where the market is going and how to stay ahead to train the work the workforce of the future.

I will contribute to the Charlotte Works by bringing over 25 years of varied and progressively responsible operational management and industry experience to the Board. I will assist Charlotte Works in bringing its vision and mission to reality by being curious, asking tough questions, being a resource, being a good listener and holding leadership accountable to our guiding principles.

Best piece of career advice you have received?

The best piece of career advice that I ever received was to delay my gratification. Translated to mean, that you must put in the hard work up front before you gain your reward later down the line. I was told that if I proved myself to be worthy of a promotion and a raise, I would get it. It is cliché, but there is no such thing as an overnight success. Smart, hard work pays off positively.

What are your hobbies/interests?

Due to my crazy consulting travel schedule, I love spending my time with my wife and daughter. I enjoy serving as an usher and life group leader at our church. I stay active by going to the gym and playing the occasional pickup soccer game or playing golf. Being a Carolina alumnus and soccer letterman, I enjoy supporting my Tar Heels in any sport. However, one of my favorite things every year is watching the Carolina basketball team compete.