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PuttingNorth CarolinaBack To Work

PuttingNorth CarolinaBack To Work

North CaroliNa CommissioN oN WorkforCe DevelopmeNt

Preparing North Carolina’s Workforce & Businesses for the Global Economy

www.nccommerce.com/workforceEmail: [email protected] Phone: 919-329-5230

Contents 1 Introduction

2 Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs

3 2009 Summer Youth Employment Program

4 JobsNOW “12 in 6” Initiative

5 Charlotte Area Workforce Recovery Project

9 Veterans Initiative Project

10 Rural Community Mobilization Project

11 Offender Training & Employment Initiative

IntroductionBy 2009, North Carolina and the entire nation were deep in the Great Recession. That year, the federal government enacted the american recovery and reinvestment act (arra) to serve those most affected by the recession. North Carolina received $6.1 billion in direct aid to create jobs, address state budget stability, and rebuild and expand our state’s critical infrastructure, including highways and schools. This federal “stimulus package” also injected money into the state through targeted tax cuts, grants from federal agencies, and direct funding for specific federal programs in the state. (Source: NC Office of Economic Recovery)

Under Workforce investment act (Wia) formula funding, North Carolina received approximately $80 million from the U.S. Department of Labor. Of this WIA funding, $57 million was distributed locally, while $23 million went to support regional and statewide strategic investments to build our youth, adult, and dislocated workforce.

This ARRA money was allocated for use from February 17, 2009 to June 30, 2011. The NC Office of Economic Recovery and Investment approved funds for the projects highlighted in this report. Many of these projects were part of Governor Bev Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative to create jobs and train North Carolina’s workforce.

This report illustrates how North Carolina’s workforce and businesses benefited from stimulus money, and offers a snapshot of program successes. Thousands of job seekers and dislocated workers received employment and training services, obtained credentials and/or found jobs. These ARRA/WIA-funded programs also fostered important partnerships and collaboration within the state’s workforce development system.

The North Carolina Commission on Workforce Development recommends policies and strategies enabling the state’s workforce and businesses to compete in the global economy. Our mission is to establish and guide a world-class workforce development system for the state that is compre hensive, integrated, relevant, and effective. This system produces well-educated, highly skilled workers who perform at high levels and work in economically viable enterprises providing good jobs at good wages.

Businesses cite North Carolina’s high quality workforce as a key factor for locating or expanding in the state. North Carolina’s workforce development programs help train and retrain citizens, producing this high quality workforce and helping the state remain successful and competitive.

The Commission on

Workforce Development

helps North Carolinians

find good jobs at good

wages, and helps

employers retain a

qualified workforce.

1 P U T T I N G N O R T h C A R O L I N A B A C k T O W O R k

success

ARRA funding helped

NC reach almost twice

as many workers as it

typically serves.

Adult and Dislocated Worker ProgramsWith the addition of ARRA funding, the state’s Workforce Investment Act reached almost twice as many North Carolinians as it typically serves. These funds helped provide employment and training services to put people back to work.

From July 2009 – June 2011:

18,500+ adults and dislocated workers were supported by ARRA funds

73% of dislocated workers served found employment in 2010

Ada Bruce says, “The WIA Program enabled me to get my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) license. The WIA paid for everything, like gas, books—everything I needed, it paid for it. To have a new career, it means the world to me. Because I can help people, and do what I want to do. I like helping people.”

Carl Sturdivant says of his experience, “Starting my business was tough; trying to get signed up for licensing in the state, taking the electrical exam as well. The WIA Program helped me prepare to take the state electrical exam, get set up for insurance and stuff, and then after that I was able to get started bidding on some work. They kept me afloat until I was able to get commercial contracts and it has taken off. We projected to make fifty thousand dollars in sales in the first year. However, we are pretty much at the end of the year and we think we’ll be right at five hundred thousand in sales.”

For Ines Presslar, the WIA Program made big changes in her life: “The company where I was working, they closed on December of 2010. They talked to us before they closed, about the WIA program. When I came to the WIA office, they helped me a lot. [They didn’t] make any faces because I’m hispanic or I’m too old. They treat me the same like everybody and give me good opportunities. I’m proud to say I’m now a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). I’m happy.”

We projected to make $50,000 in sales the first year, [but] we’ll be right at $500,000.Carl Sturdivant, City Lift Elevator Company, Charlotte

2P U T T I N G N O R T h C A R O L I N A B A C k T O W O R k

2009 Summer Youth Employment ProgramIn the summer of 2009, a youth employment program provided meaningful work experiences to primarily low-income and disadvantaged youth between the ages of 14-24. Numerous employers representing non-profit organizations, private for-profit organizations, local government, school districts and health care facilities provided jobs and job readiness training. Not only did this program put money in the pockets of participants, but it provided their first real exposure to the world of work.

During the program:

7,000 youth were placed in summer employment

2,204 employers participated

Colleen McEnaney, a student at UNC-Ch, shares her experience: “I found out about the Summer Youth Employment from my mom, who went into the JobLink Center. It was like the real world. It wasn’t a part-time restaurant job, it was much more structured and settled and I got more valuable experience out of it than elsewhere. NC State hired me as a communications intern for the summer, 40 hours a week for three months. It was a paid internship and I was able to save money for school this fall—it’s been really great.”

Jasmine Phillips, Summer Youth Employment participant, says: “The skills I gained from the I Care program and the summer youth program [were] time management and budgeting. It has really built my confidence and I know that I can achieve so much more than I thought.”

Matthew Boomer says, “The [Summer Youth Employment] program placed me at the Salvation Army and it changed my life. It gave me confidence so that I can learn and be better than I am now. The Salvation Army liked what I was doing and saw that I was willing to work so they hired me on full-time.


successI was able to save money for school

this fall. It’s been great.Colleen McEnaney, UNC–CH student, Chapel Hill

JobsNOW “12 in 6” InitiativeAs part of JobsNOW, Governor Bev Perdue’s “12 in 6” Initiative provided education and short-term occupational skills training to state residents. The initiative offered training in 12 career areas within six months or less. Community colleges and workforce boards also added other training programs based on local demand for jobs.

The Community College System and the Division of Workforce Development used stimulus funds to build colleges’ training capacities. Local Workforce Development Boards also helped pay participants’ tuition, fees, transportation, books and related instructional materials.

From Summer 2009 – Spring 2011:

19,755 enrolled in one or more training program components

13,000 completed one or more training program components

2,956 additional courses offered across the 57 colleges

866 new faculty/staff positions filled (full and part-time)

1,882 state-regulated credentials earned

1,477 industry-regulated credentials earned

7,995 Career Readiness Certificates issued

53% of those getting WIA assistance found jobs

Since demand remains high for many of the training programs, North Carolina’s community colleges plan to offer more than 300 of the initiative’s course titles.

Nerrisa Newsome, a single mother of three, enrolled in the Medical Office Certificate Program at Coastal Carolina Community College. ARRA funding helped her pay the tuition and books for three classes required for her certificate. Nerrisa began working part-time for the Shilsky Chiropractic Center, where they were so pleased with her work that they offered her a full-time position. She is now getting ready to sit for the National Coder’s exam, and has also been able to fulfill one of her ultimate goals—buying a home.

Community colleges plan

to continue more than 300

program course titles


successThe Workforce Investment Act has been an investment in my life.Nerrisa Newsome, Schilsky Chiropractic Center, Jacksonville

Charlotte Area Workforce Recovery ProjectDue to the potential for significant layoffs in Charlotte’s banking/financial services industry, Governor Perdue charged state and local workforce development partners to develop a proactive recovery plan. This project assisted laid-off workers and helped revitalize communities and existing businesses in the region. The Charlotte Workforce Recovery Project included: an accelerated certificate program at UNC-Charlotte, fasttrac® Newventure™, the proNet professional career center, and Biz Boost, which is now statewide.

Accelerated Certificate Program: Project Management

The Charlotte–Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC–C) created an accelerated certificate program for displaced profes sionals, most with four-year or higher degrees. The two organizations funded a project coordinator who provided outreach to displaced professionals and managed the program.

Using ARRA funds, the existing Project Management Certificate Program (PMP) was streamlined from a 12-day program over a four-month period to a three-week program. A career development component, to include resume writing, interviewing skill development and other similar courses, enhanced the standard course work.

From July 2009 – December 2010:

48 completed the accelerated PMP course

20 (or 42%) obtained employment

100% reported being more marketable

Derek Frost, a participant in the Accelerated Certification Program, says: “I was unemployed for roughly a year and a half, so I wanted to expand my resumé and credentials. I pursued the Accelerated Project Management Program at UNC-Charlotte. It really made me more marketable. It gave me more advanced skill sets—it gave me hope.”


PMP was streamlined

from four months

to just three weeks

success[The program] gave me more advanced

skill sets—it gave me hope.Derek Frost, PMP participant, Charlotte

fasttrac® Newventure™ Entrepreneurship Training

In partnership with the North Carolina Commission on Workforce Development, the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) administered an entrepreneurial training program for displaced workers who wanted to start a business. This FastTrac® NewVenture™ Entrepreneurship Training is a nationally recognized program offered by the kauffman Foundation.

From July 2009 – July 2010:

333 participants completed training

85.4% graduated

29 participants started businesses

19 of those businesses hired other people

48+ new jobs created

After 30 years in the furniture industry, Rick Moose was downsized when the economy took a turn for the worse. In December 2009, Rick graduated from the FastTrac® NewVenture™ program at Catawba Valley Community College. Now he and a partner co-own Hickory Outlet Center. Their new business represents local furniture manufacturers, providing a showroom and a sales staff to help them move market samples and discontinued items. In addition to the two full-time partners, the company has hired two full-time employees and one part-time employee.

Savory Moments, a gourmet shop that offers a variety of decadent sweets as well as dinners-to-go, opened in August 2009 in north Charlotte. Jodi Wright, who co-owns the shop with her sister, Heather Scovel, graduated from Central Piedmont Community College’s FastTrac® NewVenture™ program in July 2009. Jodi moved to North Carolina after being laid off from her job with a transportation company. Savory Moments has now expanded to a second location, has hired three part-time employees, has successfully completed a government contract and is currently fulfilling a contract to provide healthy options for school lunches. success


By going to FastTrac®, we were able to make sure our business plan was on track.Jodi Wright, Savory Moments, Charlotte

proNet Career Center

ProNet is Charlotte’s response to helping professionals displaced by the Great Recession. Unlike in past recessions, many of the unemployed are highly skilled and come from a variety of sectors, such as manufacturing, finance, technology, accounting, legal, marketing, architecture and construction.

The vast majority of the individuals ProNet serves are college graduates. The center provides a gathering place for displaced professionals to refocus, redirect and reconnect. The goal is to retain Charlotte’s top talent in order to remain globally competitive.

ProNet’s services include specialty workshops, one-on-one coaching and access to local employers/recruiters. Since early 2009 ProNet has touched almost 3,000 professionals. As word of its success grows, more and more employers use it as a cost-effective way to tap into Charlotte’s hidden talent pool.

From October 2009 – June 2011:

18,756 registered for workshops, career counseling sessions, forums and job teams

2,989 unique individuals served

95% of feedback rated overall service as excellent and/or good

400+ hours of Career/Resumé Coaching

provided

79 attended Entrepreneurship Workshops

203 students completed 185 online

training sessions

ARRA funds also supported the development of a Community Resource Guide, a Regional Confidence Index, and a ProNet app for iPhone and Android.

ProNet participant Michael Crutch describes his experience: “I was going through what I’d call a forced retirement from the company that I had been with for 30 years, and after leaving there I started to look for other opportunities. ProNet was a very professional environment. ProNet actually equipped me with the tools to be successful—not only on the job search, but also in the job interview.”


successProNet equipped me with the tools

to be successful.Michael Crutch, ProNet participant, Charlotte

Since early 2009, ProNet

has touched almost

3,000 professionals.

Biz Boost

The innovative Biz Boost program began as a joint effort of the Department of Commerce’s Business and Industry Division and the Charlotte office of the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) in the 12-county Charlotte region. Biz Boost identifies small to mid-sized businesses, assesses their needs, and provides the appropriate services to help them stay viable and competitive. This successful model expanded across the state in 2010, and continues to assist North Carolina businesses in averting layoffs with WIA funding from the Commission on Workforce Development.

From January 2010 – June 2011:

222 client businesses served

353 jobs created or retained

34 loans obtained

Robert Ray of Calibrated Solutions says this about Biz Boost: “We were a company that was growing, so we went to the SBTDC for some help with marketing. [Biz Boost] MBA teams from local colleges were able to provide a lot of insight to our needs. With their results and the help of the SBTDC, it’s been nothing but growth this past year. Profits are higher, expenses are a little bit lower and we have a clear vision of where we are going.”

Argand Energy Solutions president Eric Lensch says, “Without the help of the SBTDC, we would have had to undertake significant market research analysis, and quite frankly we probably wouldn’t have done it. Running a small business, as you can imagine, you have fifty million things to do every day and market research and analysis tend to take a little bit of a back burner. So the SBTDC and Biz Boost really allowed us to streamline our efforts to prioritize where we wanted to go with our marketing efforts.

“This is a rooftop we’re installing, a 500 kilowatt photo-voltaic array, and we have 15 guys on the roof, several of whom came out of Workforce Development programs. We have worked with Workforce Development to identify and train employees who are solar installers on the projects. We’ve got a great group of employees who are engaged in what’s happening. I like to let people know these aren’t jobs that can be outsourced to China and that everywhere you see a rooftop is an opportunity for a solar installation to take place and for us to employ people here in North Carolina.”


The successful

Charlotte-area Biz

Boost program has now

expanded statewide.

successEverywhere you see a rooftop is an opportunity for us to employ people here.Eric Lensch, President, Argand Energy Solutions, Charlotte

Veterans Initiative Project The Veterans Initiative Project (VIP) supported North Carolina communities impacted by military base realignments. VIP provided training, retraining and skill certification opportunities in high-demand, high-growth sectors to eligible veterans and military spouses in the 10-county region surrounding Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

This project was a collaboration between the Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board, North Carolina’s Eastern Region Military Growth Task Force, the NC Department of Commerce, the US Department of Labor, Coastal Carolina Community College, and local JobLink Career Centers.

From September 15, 2009 – June 15, 2011:

331 veterans/military spouses were served

242 completed their training

184 entered employment

60% (109 of the 184 employed) found work related to their training

James Rife says of his VIP experience: “I was unemployed. I’m a veteran. I was looking for a job but had no prospects, and the savings account was dwindling. The Veteran’s Initiative Project basically paid for my recertification—they paid for my books, they paid for my mileage. It really helped me.”


successThe VIP basically paid for my

recertification. It really helped me.James Rife, OxyHeal Health Group, Inc., Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Rural Community Mobilization Project The Rural Community Mobilization Project, administered by the NC Rural Economic Development Center, promoted community-driven, multi-site responses to the recession and worker layoffs. Project teams trained people in fields with high demand, such as health care, education and green building trades. Other teams provided paid internships, job expos or support services for the unemployed. Teams varied by location but generally represented community colleges, economic development agencies, community-based organizations and workforce development agencies. Twelve grantees across the state provided a variety of services and activities. Due to the program’s success, it is being continued with new funding.

From January 2010 – May 2011:

1,821 people were served

936 participated in education or training

562 obtained a credential

322 found employment

Mac Legerton, Executive Director of the Center for Community Action, describes their organization: “We really focus on career development and engagement with women, specifically poverty reduction. When we reduce poverty, we reduce all the other social problems that a community faces—everything from crime, teen pregnancy, child abuse and neglect, to violence [and] murder. People who feel they have a solid future and an open door before them have so much more hope, and a positive attitude toward themselves and toward others.”

Angelina Phillips joined the Women’s Economic Equity (WEE) Project of the Center for Community Action in January 2010. Angelina is a member of the Lumbee Tribe. As part of the project, she attended Richmond Community College and received her Certification in Medical Administration in March 2011. She was hired through Legal Aid of NC to work with the Benefit Bank of NC. When this position ended, Angelina was hired as Program Assistant with the Women’s Economic Equity Project.

Due to its success,

the RCMP program is

being continued with

new funding.


successThat spirit of coaching and encouragement and support at the Center changed my life. Angelina Phillips, Women’s Economic Equity Project, Lumberton

Offender Employment & Training Initiative Modeled after the NC Department of Correction’s Prisoner Reentry Initiative, the Offender Employment & Training Initiative (OETI) expanded employment assistance beyond job placement for recently released offenders. The Department of Correction identified 11 counties and used Recovery Act funding to serve former offenders in Alamance, Buncombe, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Pitt, Rowan and Wake.

The primary focus of the expanded program was job creation through vocational and educational training and employer education. Employment services included on-the-job training, job counseling, employability training, job-seeking resources and resumé assistance. This project also provided housing, transportation, childcare assistance, and coordinated referrals to other community-based and supportive services. OETI Job Developers worked with local workforce development partners, employers and community-based service providers to improve employment outcomes.

From January 2010 – June 2011:

4,224 received direct employment services

530 found employment

North Carolina Central University’s hospitality and Tourism Programs provided vocational training through the school’s Full-Circle Food Service Management Training Program. Participants gained hands-on experience in customer service skills, food production and preparation techniques, and sanitation and safety practices.

Micah Frazier came to the OETI orientation session as a single father of three and all were homeless. After intervention with housing for New hope, he and his family moved out of the shelter.

Working with OETI, Mr. Frazier received his certification in Culinary Arts, ServSafe® and hospitality. he found work at a hot dog stand, and became inspired to run one for himself. he saved money to buy a stand, including equipment and permits. OETI gave him the tools to provide for himself and his family. he can be seen every day in Durham by the bus terminal selling his “Off The Chain” dogs.


success“I took my street hustle—it’s a legal

hustle now. I serve a great hot dog!”Micah Frazier, Off The Chain Dogs, Durham

Reprinted with permission of The News & Observer, Raleigh NC

Preparing North Carolina’s Workforce and Businesses for the Global Economy

This report was prepared by: North CaroliNa CommissioN oN WorkforCe DevelopmeNt

Phone: 919-329-5230 Email: [email protected]

www.nccommerce.com/workforce

Special thanks to North Carolina’s local workforce development boards and the various partners throughout state, regional, and local government, including economic development organizations

and education agencies, that make up the state’s workforce development system.

Equal Opportunity Employer. Program Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

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