Introducing Startup Genius: Empowering Entrepreneurs with a Revolutionary Small Business Resource Hub

CAWD is proud to announce the launch of Startup Genius, a comprehensive user-friendly platform that consolidates relevant information and resources to support aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in Wake County. Startup Genius is a part of CAWD’s national award-winning…

Supporting Workforce Excellence in Johnston County

CAWD’s assistant director Malinda Todd, and business engagement director Barbara Brothers are both serving on the Johnston County Business Alliance. As a partner, we helped to fund the Johnston County Workforce Development Strategic Plan released in January.

From 2017-2022, Johnston’s …

Hotels Turn to Five Stars to Address Talent Challenges

CAWD officially launched the Five Stars hotel workforce initiative on January 10th. The program has a dedicated program manager, marketing coordinator, and NCWorks career coach.

Hotel participation is strong. In addition to recruiting assistance, conversations revealed a deep need for …

Forum Brings Together Business Leaders for a Successful and Productive Day!

About 230 people attended the Small Business Virtual Workforce Forum on January 26th. The event was co-hosted by nine other workforce boards and NCWorks Career Centers from across the state. NCWorks Commission member Olalah Njenga and CAWD’s business engagement director …

New Wake Partners Reentry Grant Awards

CAWD is pleased to announce the newest recipients of the 2023 Wake Partners Reentry Grants. These organizations have decades of experience supporting adults, youth, and communities impacted by justice system involvement. We awarded $67,263.50 to support the important work …

CAWD Annual Report Released

Getting people back to work, helping businesses connect to the right talent, getting businesses to invest in existing talent, preparing opportunity youth for life and work…it’s all in here! Thanks to the team, board members and partners for another impactful …

WE’RE HIRING!

Capital Area Workforce Development (CAWD) provides workforce development solutions to help all businesses with talent needs. Wake County hotels and the hospitality industry are facing a massive worker shortage and unfortunately, data shows that over the next 5 years, the …

Labor Market Overview

The most recent labor market overview released by the NC Department of Commerce reflects data for the month of May.

Key data points for Wake County:

• Unemployment rate: 3.0% – an increase of .2 from previous month /.4% less than

Reaching People With the Most Needs

Last year, CAWD set a goal of serving 250 individuals from vulnerable and historically marginalized communities through a US Department of Labor CAREER grant. Based on data, high-need areas included residents in parts of Wake Forest and Raleigh.

One strategy …

Pathway to Entrepreneurship Launches Successfully

CAWD’s entrepreneurship program addresses upward mobility by helping micro-business owners move to the next level. Eighty (80) men and women signed up for the first Pathway to Entrepreneurship (PTE) workshop in June. Many small business launch programs assist those that …