Initiatives
Enhanced Outreach and Employment Services for Ex-Service Members
The N.C. Division of Workforce Solutions received a two year federal grant to develop collaborative strategies to support improved outreach to veterans receiving unemployment benefits under the Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Military Members program, referred to as UCX. The initiative specifically targets Army veterans receiving unemployment benefits and is a pilot program offered in four states. This initiative includes veterans from the Active Army as well as those who meet veteran criteria from the Army Reserves and the North Carolina National Guard.
The project’s main goal is to reduce the claim duration for Army veterans who are receiving unemployment benefits by providing re-employment services, job referrals, and job development contacts commensurate with the veterans’ skills, experience and interests in order to obtain suitable employment. North Carolina’s outreach efforts began March 2013. UCX gives North Carolina an opportunity to “serve those who served for us.” For more information, contact a local JobLink Career Center or Wesley Alston, at wesley.alston@nccommerce.com.
Career Readiness Certification
Supported by the Commission on Workforce Development, the Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) initiative promotes individual career development and skills attainment and confirms to an employer that an individual possesses the basic workplace skills of reading, applied math and information locating. More information can be found at the Career Readiness Certification website. For questions contact Barbara Boyce at boyceb@nccommunitycolleges.edu.
Incumbent Workforce Program
North Carolina's Incumbent Workforce Development Program broadens the scope of the state's existing incumbent worker initiative. The program provides funding to established North Carolina businesses to provide educational and occupational skills training for current workers. For more information, visit the Worker Training Program section of this site. For questions, contact your local Workforce Development Board.
Sharing How Access to Resources Empowers (SHARE) Network
Together with nine local areas, the Division of Workforce Solutions partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiative to launch the SHARE Network North Carolina, making North Carolina the ninth state to join this initiative. SHARE Network enhances and expands the Commission’s JobLink system by strengthening the links between the public, government agencies, faith-based organizations, and community organizations.
SHARE is comprised of two components: an On-Line Resource Directory and Access Points. For additional information please visit N.C. SHARE Network or contact Virginia Brogden at vbrogden@nccommerce.com.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Projects
State Energy Sector Partnership
In January 2010, North Carolina received an ARRA State Energy Sector Partnership Grant (SESP) from the U.S. Department of Labor for $5.9 million to carry out training programs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy fields. There are four regional teams representing 38 rural counties across the state that will facilitate training and certification of approximately 1,137 individuals in fields such as weatherization, solar voltaic installation, sustainable agriculture and green construction and deconstruction.
The Regional Teams involved in this grant project are:
All About Green – Lumber River Workforce Development Board
Future Forward Workforce Alliance - Western Piedmont, Region C, and High Country Workforce Board
Northeast NC Green Economy Initiative – Northeastern Workforce Development Board
Weatherization, Energy and Solar Training (Wx/EaST) – Region Q Workforce Development Board
Since the beginning of the grant in late January 2010, each Regional Team has implemented training and strategies to increase their capacity to provide training that creates career ladders and certifies trainers in the Energy Sector or related fields.
For more information on Recovery Act efforts at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, go to Commerce’s Recovery Programs and Funding page.