WARN notices filed with the state as of April 8th reflect 825 workers have been affected by layoffs or business closures in Wake county. The majority of those, based on the type of business, were likely due to COVID-19. (No Johnston county businesses were listed.)

This number is actually far greater since many businesses aren’t required to file a notice. However, additional businesses have been identified by the business engagement team as at-risk or already taking steps to layoff. Outreach is underway to provide support, including online Rapid Response sessions to share resources and information with employees.

Business that are still hiring despite the current climate continue to be supported, including Bland Landscaping, AAFlanders, and Amazon. The career center hosted five information sessions for Amazon that were attended by over 300 job seekers. There were also four new hire orientations that resulted in 117 placements (pending drug screen and background check).

The Amazon team expressed a desire to strengthen their partnership with the career center which is what we want to hear from all businesses!

The governor has been asked to consider commuting sentences for some inmates to reduce the spread of CV-19 within correctional facilities. CAWD’s reentry team is managing projects with this possibility in mind and is making great strides.

CAWD is the new intermediary agency for Wake’s local reentry council!  WakeLRC.org was recently launched to promote the council, identify new partners, and pull together more service providers that specialize in this population. The site is also a vehicle to receive referrals from providers, friends and family of ex-offenders, and self-referrals.

We are also preparing the formerly incarcerated for the job market with “Roads to Reentry.” This grant-funded initiative operates in Wake and Johnston county facilities. After meeting with leadership and staff at Johnston Correctional Center, including the warden and superintendent of programs, our team is approved to hold information sessions at the facility once a month. The team also completed Wake County PREA Training, a prerequisite for being able to direct services inside the Wake Detention Center.

CAWD already had an existing working relationship with Wake Correctional centers, so the addition of Johnston allows us to successfully serve customers in both counties.

Individuals served by Roads to Reentry to date:
**Total Served: 22 => Wake 13 / Johnston -9
**Credentials Earned: 19 => Wake 18 / Johnston 1

Download the Wake LRC Information Flyer

No one could see the pandemic coming. While its effects are being felt by every company and organization, CAWD was able to pivot quickly in the area of customer service thanks to roll-out of Accessncworks.com about 18 months ago.

When it became necessary to close the career centers to the public, we were able to push customers to Access NCWorks as a means of receiving help or staff assistance with their job search. We say Access NCWorks is more of a contact center than a call center because we do more than field customer calls. Staff can complete some program applications online for jobseekers, provide counseling, initial assessments and center orientations, as well as support jobseekers enrollment in NCWorks Online.

Companies can also connect with business service consultants via Access NCWorks to find solutions for their workforce needs.

Here is a summary of virtual service delivery for March.

How would you like to work for the state? Here are just a few of over 140 job vacancies post at NCWorks.gov! Create your profile, use the resume builder, and start applying.