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We’ve got more good stuff to report this month!

Two more NCWorks Career Centers certified for Mecklenburg County

From left, Wendy Lyons, talent engagement manager (WMS); Randall Darnell, manager (ECD); Stephanie Lattimore, manager (FPB); and Jaslyn Roberts, talent engagement director (WMS) celebrate in Raleigh after the other two NCWorks Career Centers in Mecklenburg County were certified.

From left, Wendy Lyons, talent engagement manager (WMS); Randall Darnell, manager (ECD); Stephanie Lattimore, manager (FPB); and Jaslyn Roberts, talent engagement director (WMS) celebrate in Raleigh after the other two NCWorks Career Centers in Mecklenburg County were certified.

The NCWorks Career Centers at 5601 Executive Center Dr. (ECD) and 7140 Forest Point Blvd. (FPB) are now official!

Managers Randall Darnell (ECD) and Stephanie Lattimore (FPB) accepted certificates of achievement from the NCWorks Commission in Raleigh on March 3.

The center certifications indicate that the two career centers meet rigorous standards for services to un- and under-employed clients.

The NCWorks Career Center at 1401 W. Morehead St. (WMS) received its certification last fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Partridge elected to leadership role with U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council

Steve Partridge for News & Notes - ArticleSteve Partridge, president and CEO of Charlotte Works, has been elected to serve as second vice president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council.

In this role, Partridge will oversee the policy direction and advocacy strategy for the Council before assuming its presidency in 2017. He will also support newly elected-president Rick Beasley’s efforts to improve relations with the Federal Reserve and community colleges and increase connectivity with employers, particularly to expand apprenticeship opportunities.

Partridge received the Workforce Development Council’s 2013 Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his superior commitment to advocating for and improving the nation’s workforce system.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council provides a forum for mayors and their workforce development directors to examine all workforce development issues and to strengthen the ability of cities to meet the needs of their citizens; particularly economically disadvantaged individuals, those with serious skill deficiencies, dislocated workers and others with special barriers to employment, including youth.

 

 

Charlotte Works wins Wal-Mart Foundation grant to help local veterans

Charlotte Works has been awarded $200,000 from the Wal-Mart Foundation as part of its $1-million Welcome Home North Carolina initiative to “support a three-year pilot to identify new ways in which the nonprofit, public and private sectors can better work together to serve veterans.”

Our new NCWorks Certified Veterans Initiative is aimed at reducing unemployment among returning veterans in Mecklenburg County. Its focus will be two-fold: to ensure veterans are work-ready and to educate employers about hiring work-ready veterans and committing them to hire these candidates.

When the program launches later this spring, we’ll work to assess and certify veterans as work-ready through a process that could include career-coaching, additional education, on-the-job training, receiving a National Career Ready Certificate (NCRC), completing the Working Smart soft -skills program and attending workshops/training opportunities at one of three NCWorks Career Centers in Charlotte.

Every veteran has a unique situation and set of needs and may place out of one or more of the steps. Charlotte Works will assess every veteran and develop a personalized plan that will put him/her on the fast track to sustainable employment.

The NCWorks Certified Veterans Initiative will also focus on the education and commitment of local employers to hiring veterans. Far too often, employers claim they support our troops and have veteran’s preference when hiring, but never honor that commitment. We’ll work to inform employers about the skills and needs of veterans by recruiting businesses to commit to (and honor that commitment) hiring veterans; and make strong personal connections with employers that will allow direct referrals of certified veterans to open positions.

Charlotte Works will promise that every NCWorks Certified Veteran will meet or exceed an employer’s expectations; if not, we’ll provide the resources necessary to ensure that veteran succeeds.

Stay tuned for more details as the NCWorks Certified Veterans Initiative gets underway!

 

 

Ms. Frazier goes to Washington

(L) Danielle Frazier, Charlotte Works’ systems operations director, and Dawn Hill, manager of the Mayor's Youth Employment Program, at the My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge National Convening at the White House on Feb 12.

(L) Danielle Frazier, Charlotte Works’ systems operations director, and Dawn Hill, manager of the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program, at the My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge National Convening at the White House on Feb 12.

In February 2014, President Barack Obama launched the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential. That September, he issued a challenge to cities, towns, counties and tribes across the country to become “MBK Communities,” adopting two of the six goals set by the MBK initiative for their focus.

Charlotte pledged to ensure all children read at grade-level by third grade and ensure all youth outside of school complete post-secondary education or training.

Danielle Frazier, systems operations director, who served as Youth Works director at the time, was chosen, along with Dawn Hill, manager of the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program, to represent Charlotte at the My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge National Convening in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 12.

“The event was a day-long working meeting,” explains Frazier. “Individuals from the president’s office such as Attorney General Eric Holder spoke about the importance of supporting the mission and specifically supporting young men and boys of color. We are committed to ensuring all youth or young adults, when they are done with school, are prepared for employment.”

The event reinforced the president’s and the communities’ desire to assist youth in getting jobs.

“The biggest thing that rings true for both me and Dawn is collaboration. The initiative is a community partnership and it has to happen with more than one entity’s involvement; it has to be a community effort,” she adds. “Youth Works will continue to leverage our services and do what we do while taking it to another level.”

 

 

Do you Google?

Google+ logo for News & Notes - ArticleGoogle is more than just a search engine, you know! Check out Charlotte Works’ new Google+ page and post a comment, like us – do your social media thing with us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Career coaches celebrate new paradigm

From left, Career Coaches Daena Spencer (Executive Center Drove), Jaslyn Roberts, Marlene Bishop, Anastasia Knight, Shemia Williams and Jeff Adams (all at W. Morehead Street) celebrate their graduation from Paradigm 360 Coach Training’s 15-week certification program.

From left, Career Coaches Daena Spencer (Executive Center Drove), Jaslyn Roberts, Marlene Bishop, Anastasia Knight, Shemia Williams and Jeff Adams (all at W. Morehead Street) celebrate their graduation from Paradigm 360 Coach Training’s 15-week certification program.

Charlotte Works’ five career coaches and Director of Talent Development Jaslyn Roberts shared both tears and laughter on Friday, Feb. 20, as they graduated from Paradigm 360 Coach Training’s 15-week certification program.

Yvette Hall, Paradigm 360’s CEO, said the training they received was meant to help them “believe in, encourage, support and advocate for their clients so they can meet their potential, exceed what they though was possible for themselves and achieve their goals.”

During the brief ceremony, each career coach was presented with a medal and certificate and shared remarks about their experiences in the program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenna Alcerro joins staff

Glenna Alcerro for News & Notes - ArticleWe’re pleased to welcome Glenna Alcerro, staff accountant, to our team. Alcerro offers 23 years’ experience in accounting and has an associate’s degree in accounting from Stone Academy in Hamden, Conn. In addition, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from UNC Charlotte and a human resources certificate from Central Piedmont Community College. Most recently, Alcerro served as a field accounting specialist with Compass Group, USA. Her previous positions include finance assistant with Carrier Enterprise LLC and staff accountant with Carolinas Healthcare System.

 

 

Free tax prep is still available

Tax Prep Image - ArticleYou still have time to take advantage of free tax preparation services provided by Community Link and AARP!

Our NCWorks Career Center at 5601 Executive Center Dr. (28212) is one of several Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites providing eligible individuals with free income tax assistance. To schedule an appointment, call 704-761-VITA (8482) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday or schedule online.

Households with income above $53,000 but less than $72,000 could qualify for free tax preparation at sites run by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

Fliers with complete details about sites, dates, times and IRS requirements are available in the Resource Centers of all three NCWorks Career Centers.



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