This holiday season, join our board members and staff in a celebration of partnership at CAWD’s Holiday Breakfast! The event takes place on December 5th at the Park Alumni Center at NCSU and includes special guests, a unique feature presentation and great food!
Watch your email for an invitation!
Workforce Ready 2019 will be held on November 19th at the McKimmon Center. The theme is “Disability Works!” CAWD is cohosting along with NC DHHS,LCI, and DisabilityIN. Content is focused on helping businesses discover hidden assets and benefits of hiring persons with disabilities, best practices for reasonable accommodation and to provide other relevant information. Organizations that help businesses implement inclusion programs and that prepare disabled individuals for the workplace will so be present. Be sure to share this event with business partners!
There is no fee to attend but you must register here.
Workforce Ready: Disability Works! is being held as a part of Disability Awareness Month in North Carolina.
An information session about “Roads to ReEntry” will be held on Tuesday, October 29th. This $1.5M grant-funded project will help those leaving corrections facilities in Wake and Johnston counties to transition into the workforce.
The kick-off is specifically for partners who submitted letters of support for the grant application and those who may be interested in supporting the program. The purpose of the session is to review components of the grant and establish expectations for fulfilling expected outcomes. Partners will have an opportunity to express concerns and help determine what adjustments should be made for project success.
Watch your email for an invitation! If you do not receive one, contact malinda.todd@wakegov.com.
One of the things CAWD and our partners have been working on is a common referral process for use throughout the Capital Area NCWorks Career Center System. In the May meeting, training was provided as a part of implementing the new referral process. Use of the referral process includes giving partner agencies access to NCWorks Online, something previously not allowed but was critical to making the process as smooth as possible.
In the June meeting, there was discussion around cost sharing and more ways we can leverage one another’s strengths in service to our customers.
Strong partnerships are critical to workforce development. If you haven’t attended a partner’s meeting, we hope you can make one in the future. More meetings are being scheduled, so be on the lookout for your invitation.
CAWD has enhanced business programs to better serve small, minority, and woman-owned companies (SMWBs), especially those with 100 or fewer employees. These businesses are significant in number and over time can play an increased role in job creation. Yet many don’t receive incentives and resources offered to big business to help them grow and add more jobs.
Two changes have been implemented. First, Catalyst 2020 was developed to fund in-house training for a company’s current employees. To give small businesses a boost in the application process, fields have been added to identify SMWBs. If checked, additional points are awarded in the scoring system, increasing the likelihood of further review.
Second, on-the-job training historically reimburses companies 50% of wages paid during training for new hires. We have increased it to 75% for SMWBs. By increasing financial support, these companies can hold on to existing working capital necessary to fulfill their growth ambitions.
If you know of small businesses who might benefit from Catalyst 2020 or OJT, refer them to Kimberly.Wheeler@wakegov.com.
Talk with recruiters from multiple industries with all kinds of jobs! Administrative, skilled trades, management, non-profits, engineering, tech jobs…it’s all here!!
Job seekers get in FREE and businesses can choose from multiple ticket levels.
Full details at Capitalareaexpo.com.
December 14th will be the last day of operations for the career center in Cary. Other options are being communicated to those who need services.
CAWD is working with Dorcas Ministries in Cary to enhance their job training center. Dorcas has volunteer coaches that assist with job hunts, resume writing, career advising, and basic computer training. Enhancements include additional technology, computers, and staff preparation.
Customers also have the option to connect via the new call center using whichever method they prefer – phone, chat, or email. In addition, career centers in Fuquay-Varina and Raleigh are also prepared to help Cary customers onsite.
CAWD understands the challenges job seekers face and we believe these accommodations will help meet the job-related needs of customers in Cary.
The ability to provide business solutions related to talent requires staying current about their needs and educating them about viable options that can solve their problems.
In October, CAWD along with Raleigh Economic Development and Wake Tech held Triangle Talent IT Round Table. This was a natural “next step” from the regional workforce study conducted in 2017. The survey allowed workforce system partners to more fully understand the needs of local employers when it comes to IT positions and how they impact business growth and competitiveness.
Over 45 educators, workforce and economic developers attended to hear from a diverse set of employers ranging from life sciences, healthcare, government, tech and the retail sector.
In November, we presented Workforce Ready 2018 where the theme was 
“Apprenticeships: Powering Your Talent Pipeline.” The goal was to educate businesses on the benefits of establishing apprenticeship programs, introduce organizations who can help, and to hear directly from other business leaders who established their own programs. Over 100 people attended.
Both of these events were moderated by CAWD private sector board members; Rodney Carson of SAS and Tony Marshall of Innovative Systems Group.
Job seekers in Wake and Johnston counties can now receive some career center services by chat, email web forms, and phone.
The call center, named Access NCWorks, is staffed by career center team members who can answer basic questions and help customers navigate NCWorks Online. In addition to job search assistance, staff can make referrals to other community organizations.
Chat and email are available directly via Accessncworks.com or through Capitalareancworks.com.
The call center is a major step towards helping individuals in vulnerable communities, and the disabled, access career services without having to travel to a physical location. If
you have clients who can benefit from this service, have them log-on or call the center
at 919-715-0111.
The last few board meetings have focused on service providers; their successes, 
challenges, and all that is involved in generating positive outcomes. These conversations have helped board members to better understand the inner workings of running year-round and grant-funded programs.
Similar conversations will be held with CAWD’s key partners. Leaders from our community colleges, economic development, the workforce commission and board association have agreed to participate.
These meetings are an important element for CAWD’s dedication to continuous improvement and inform decision-making related to setting priorities, board committee work, and resources needed for successful outcomes.
We’re listening!