Blog

HomeNews and BlogBlog

Recent Posts

Diplomas in Doubt: Is Education Leading to Employment?

“While we understand that a good job is no longer sufficient, recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics also illustrates that a solid education does not guarantee a secure career. This revelation jolts the foundational myths of our economic narrative, exposing a chasm between…

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I Plan | PY24-25

Charlotte Works Workforce Development is required to make copies of the proposed Charlotte Works Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) plan available to the public and allow for public comment. The PY24-25 plan is available via the link below:   Charlotte Works will make the…

Impact of AI

AI’s Growing Influence on Charlotte’s Workforce: Insights and Action Steps In a joint research project with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Charlotte Works recently shared a presentation with the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council on March 8th, providing a comprehensive overview of Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) impact…

Mecklenburg County Hiring Slows Down

Mecklenburg County Hiring Slows Down The recent occupation spotlights highlight significant labor market shifts in Mecklenburg County in demand for various roles. Analyzing job postings and salary changes between 2022 and 2023 shows a significant drop in hiring over this time. This uncovers some compelling…

Workforce Evolution: 2024 Trends for a Future-Proof Workplace and Career

Workforce Evolution: 2024 Trends for a Future-Proof Workplace and Career As we enter 2024, the world of work keeps changing, bringing both challenges and chances. At Charlotte Works, we are always keeping an eye on these changes. Here are some of the key trends we…

Anna London Named President & CEO of Charlotte Works 

Following an extensive nationwide search, the Charlotte Works Board of Directors proudly announces the appointment of Anna London as the President & Chief Executive Officer of Charlotte Works, effective immediately. Charlotte Works, Mecklenburg County’s beacon for workforce development, is dedicated to ensuring our region boasts…

Rethinking Workforce Development: Unleashing Human Potential for the Future

  In today’s rapidly evolving world, workforce development is more critical than ever before. Traditional assumptions about education, skills, and employment are being challenged by a changing economic landscape, technological advances, and shifting societal values. This thought leadership piece aims to challenge these assumptions through…

Resilience Toolkit: How to Be More Productive at Work

With declining productivity at record lows not seen since 1983 many leaders have come called for workers to be more productive and taken action to increase productivity. While it is true that productivity has declined since its peak in 2021, productivity is still significantly higher than…

Employer Toolkit – Working Parents

We are thrilled to announce the  release of our comprehensive “Employer Toolkit for Working Parents.” This invaluable resource has been carefully designed to empower businesses in fostering a supportive and family-friendly work environment. Within this toolkit, you will find a wealth of essential tools to…

The History of Workforce Development in the U.S.

The United States of America is one of the leading economies in the world, which is largely attributed to its expansive, diverse, and skilled workforce. Federal, state, and local governments have made significant investments in workforce development to ensure that the nation’s labor force is…

Embracing the Future: AI in the Workforce

As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force across various industries. From automation to data analysis, AI is revolutionizing the way we work. Job seekers and businesses alike need to understand the impact of AI…

How Prospect Theory Drives Unemployment

Do people really just not want to work today, or is it something else? Prospect Theory is a behavioral economics theory that helps explain why people often make irrational decisions to avoid perceived losses over realizing small gains, even at the risk of unemployment. When…

Charlotte Works President and CEO Resigns

Charlotte Works, the workforce development board serving Mecklenburg County, announces the resignation of Danielle Frazier, President and CEO, effective July 28, 2023. After 15 years of dedicated service to Charlotte Works, Frazier leaves behind a legacy of organizational growth and impact.  “It has been an…

Mindful at Work: Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace

Mental health in the workplace is a growing concern for many employees and employers alike. With the increasing pressure to perform, meet deadlines, and manage high workloads, more and more people are experiencing stress and anxiety on the job. The negative effects of these conditions…

How to Leverage Your Current Skills to Build a New Career

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, many workers are finding themselves needing to switch careers. This may be due to industry disruption, changes in personal interests, or a desire for greater job security. Whatever the reason, transitioning to a new career can be challenging, especially…

One Job Seeker’s Journey from Justice-Involved to Future Entrepreneur

Taeisha Legardy was a justice-involved job seeker looking for assistance in securing employment in Charlotte, NC. She heard about a job opening at Mr. Refurbisher Auto Mobile Detailing through a referral from the Center for Community Transitions and soon discovered the employer was working with…

The NCWorks Career Center Hosted an Open House Event

NCWorks Career Center held an Open House on April 25th. Charlotte Works celebrated 25 years of serving Mecklenburg County residents and businesses through NCWorks programs and services by hosting the event at the new NCWorks facility. This space provides comprehensive services for connecting Mecklenburg County…

How Are You Navigating These Top Labor Market Trends?

The labor force is constantly evolving, with new trends emerging as technology, demographics, and economic conditions change. In this article, we will explore some key trends in the labor force and provide strategies for employees and employers to navigate these changes. Baby Boomers Retiring One…

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I Plan | PY23-PY24

Charlotte Works Workforce Development is required to make copies of the proposed Charlotte Works Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) plan available to the public and allow for public comment. The PY23-24 plan is available via the link below:   Charlotte Works will make the…

Press Release: Job Fair of the Carolinas Set For April 26th at Carowinds

To make a talent connection today, businesses frequently recruit across various county and state lines, and jobseekers often travel across those same lines to find work. Nowhere is a regional job market more evident than in the greater Charlotte area. To meet the needs of…

Attract and Retain Employees With One Change

Attract and Retain Employees With One Change As the workforce development board serving Mecklenburg County, we want to help employers attract and retain talent and help job seekers gain meaningful employment. In this article, we are going to talk about a recent study that has…

Stories of Inspiration: Caroline Mensa Finds a New Career After 50

After many years with the same company, Caroline Mensa was part of a workplace downsizing that left her in a mid-life career transition. On August 16, 2022, she realized that her previous job search method, which included applying for a job she had heard about…

Transferable Skills to Succeed in Any Career

Transferable Skills to Succeed in Any Career As the workforce development board serving Mecklenburg County, we believe that every job seeker can develop the skills necessary to become competitive and productive members of the workforce. While many jobs require skills specific to that role, there…

Request For Proposals Applications and FAQ

8601 McAlpine Park Drive Suite 130 Charlotte, NC 28211 Attn: Danielle Frazier, President & CEO Charlotte Works is currently accepting proposals to use federal, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA Title I) funds for the in-school youth program, out-of-school youth program and NCWorks Career Center…

Understanding the “Living Wage” Update

Understanding the “Living Wage” Update It’s been around three years since our original article, Understanding the “Living Wage”, was published. This article continues to be very popular. Since a lot has changed since then, we wanted to give an update on the living wage in…

Quiet Quitting and How to Minimize It at Your Business

Quiet Quitting and How to Minimize It at Your Business Quiet quitting is the new trend that many are talking about. It’s been getting so much attention that even U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh has mentioned it. Some would have you believe this new trend…

A Look at the Workforce Demographics in Mecklenburg County

A Look at the Workforce Demographics in Mecklenburg County As the workforce development board serving Mecklenburg County, we want to help create a thriving workforce system that generates economic prosperity for all. If you’re a local employer or policymaker, it can help to know the…

Charlotte Works and Goodwill Partner to Elevate the Needs of Working Parents

WORKING PARENTS SURVEY In the spring of 2022, Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont and Charlotte Works conducted a survey of working parents in the greater Charlotte region to better understand how to support working parents in their return to the workforce after the height of the COVID-19…

NCWorks Career Centers in Mecklenburg County to Consolidate in June

On July 1, 2022, the NCWorks Career Center will consolidate its services in Mecklenburg County to its location at 8601 McAlpine Park Drive, Suite 110, in Charlotte. After June 24, 2022, the location at 7140 Forest Point Blvd. in Charlotte will no longer be operational,…

Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act Title I Plan | PY22-PY23

Charlotte Works Workforce Development is required to make copies of the proposed Charlotte Works Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) plan available to the public and allow for public comment. The PY22-23 plan is available via the link below: Please submit comments or suggestions to info@charlotteworks.com…

7 Ways Employers Can Help With Inflation – Without Giving Raises

7 Ways Employers Can Help With Inflation – Without Giving Raises Easing the burden of inflation on employees A newly released survey showed that the main reason U.S. workers left a job in 2021 was because of low pay. In addition, the February CPI report…

Tax Season: Resources to Help You File this Year

Tax Season: Resources to Help You File this Year As the workforce development board serving Mecklenburg County, we understand that job seeker success requires holistic service. External barriers outside our scope of services including utility needs, transportation, child care, social-emotional support, and more can all…

Goodwill & Charlotte Works Op-Ed

There isn’t a talent shortage; there is a shortage of employer creativity by: Kevin Loux, Chief Impact Officer, Charlotte Works & Raquel Lynch, Chief Program Officer, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont   With over 4 million Americans quitting their job in August, September, and…

Press Mentions

Carolina Impact: Worker Shortage and Social Media, WTVI Forward Together: Mecklenburg County fueling region’s growth, Charlotte Business Journal County works to help tent city residents find jobs and permanent housing, WSOC-TV Charlotte agencies help unemployed find work during pandemic, WSOC-TV The Ongoing Plague of Unemployment,…

Employment Survey

Charlotte Works is partnering with the City of Charlotte on an Employment Survey to better understand the needs and challenges for Charlotte residents around finding and securing employment.   Your answers will help the City of Charlotte and Charlotte Works develop better job creation methods,…

NextGen Young Adult Reaches Her Goals and Lands a Job in Healthcare

Our NextGen program continues to help young adults reach their goals. Merary Lopez, a mother of one, started working with NextGen Youth Business Solutions Consultant Doneisha Wilson in November 2019. Lopez’s goal was to work at Atrium Health. Through our partnership with Central Piedmont, she…

Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on Job-Seekers

It’s been more than six months and the country is still reeling from the national impact of the global pandemic. In that time, the unemployment rate has risen to over 13% and fallen back down to 7%; but the recovery has not been distributed evenly….

Transitioning Careers

Struggling to find work in your industry? Map a new career pathway using your existing skills! Since Mid-March, millions have filed for unemployment, including 36 million Americans, almost 1 million North Carolinians, and an estimated 100,000 Mecklenburg County residents. If you are one of the…

June 2020 NCWorks Virtual Workshops

NCWorks Navigation English and Spanish available (Monday and Wednesday- 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m./Spanish available Tuesday and Thursday-1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.) Do you need help creating your NCWorks profile?  Would you like to learn how to search for your new career online?  If you answered YES, then please…

Our Commitment

Hi, everyone: The last two weeks have brought a great deal of pain, hurt, anger, frustration, and even death. Unlike the COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic of systemic racism has been with us for centuries and has most recently claimed three more lives – Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna…

Unemployment Demographics

As the workforce development board serving Mecklenburg County, Charlotte Works leads the way in connecting job seekers and employers, providing skills training and work opportunities for youth and adults, analyzing and sharing data to educate the public on workforce needs, and aligning community partners around…

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Four-Year Plan

Charlotte Works Workforce Development is required to make copies of the proposed Charlotte Works Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) plan available to the public and allow for public comment. The 4-year plan is available via the link below:   Please submit comments or suggestions…

We Are Moving!

We are moving April 17, 2020! Charlotte Works and NCWorks will open our new office space located at 8601 McAlpine Park Drive, Charlotte, NC 28211. This new facility will house our NCWorks Career Center in Suite 110, one of our NCWorks NextGen youth programs in…

Understanding the “Living Wage”

Update: 10.31.22 – Updated Living Wage Post The Living Wage has sparked intense debate as national conversations around wage growth show that while the economy has soared since the recession, worker’s wages have not[1]. The minimum wage of $7.25 per hour has not increased since 2009[2],…

Charlotte Works Names Shemia Williams Director of Programs

Shemia Williams, workforce development advocate, has been named Director of Programs for Charlotte Works effective February 2019. The role was previously held by new Chief Operating Officer, Anna London. Charlotte Works, Mecklenburg County’s workforce development board, ensures the growing region has a skilled workforce that…

Labor Market Review 2018

Charlotte Works’ Labor Market Review is a summary of Mecklenburg County’s labor market describing work and labor force trends, including most common occupations posted for, top employers hiring, and unemployment statistics. The report lists the top occupations, credentials, and skills in demand for each of…

Charlotte Works Names Anna London as Chief Operating Officer

Anna London, workforce champion and advocate for individuals in need, has been named Chief Operating Officer for Charlotte Works effective immediately. The role was previously held by new CEO and President, Danielle Frazier. 6 gym workouts for beginners (how to train in a gym) deca…

Hiring Strategies in a Tight Labor Market

The national unemployment rate is at an historic low  indicating a booming economy and ample employment opportunities. For those seeking a job, this is great news. Unfortunately for employers, low unemployment translates into a tight labor market making it increasingly difficult to find and hire workers for…

Danielle Frazier To Lead Charlotte Works

  Danielle Frazier, a longtime leader in workforce development, will take the role of President & Chief Executive Officer of Charlotte Works, effective immediately. Charlotte Works, Mecklenburg County’s workforce development board, endeavors to ensure the growing Charlotte region has a skilled workforce to meet the…

MeckEd Student Khamiah Alderman is an Outstanding Teen

The average high school teens are worried about their immediate future, but Vance High School student Khamiah Alderman is looking down the road past college and medical school. Despite facing obstacles, Khamiah is working hard to achieve her dreams.  From holding over a 4.0 GPA,…

Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop on local workforce initiatives!

Leading the development of a skilled and in-demand workforce by engaging businesses, aligning community partners, empowering and connecting job seekers to meaningful employment, and fostering inclusive economic growth.