Innovation and Creativity Drive Centralina Workforce Development Board

The mission of the Centralina Workforce Development Board (WDB) is to “help Centralina businesses expand and thrive through a globally competitive workforce. The public and private sector community leaders are regionally focused, locally driven and dedicated to providing innovative employment and training strategies.” To accomplish this mission, the Centralina WDB provides high-quality customer-focused talent services to career seekers and employers through eight local NCWorks Career Centers in a seven-county service area which includes Anson, Cabarrus, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties.

As the career centers resume a somewhat normal pace, the upcoming fiscal year brings more opportunities for the Centralina WDB to better serve all customers. The Centralina Virtual Career Marketplace, initiated by the Board in early 2019, offers an innovative and creative way to connect career seekers looking for new or better opportunities with local businesses wanting to hire people right now. This no-cost, easy-to-access event is user-friendly and provides tremendous benefits to career seekers and employers versus a traditional job fair. In 2021-2022, the Centralina WDB will expand the use of the Centralina Virtual Career Marketplace platform with regional, county and industry-specific events, as well as partner with local workforce, economic development and educational organizations for inclusivity.

To increase customer access to all the services provided by the Centralina WDB and the NCWorks Career Centers services, the Centralina WDB utilized modern technology to introduce the Centralina WDB App in May 2021. The app houses everything from hiring events, workshops, employer services, event details, career assessments and more. The app was designed to serve as a one-stop access point to valuable opportunities and resources for career seekers and employers. The Centralina Mobile App is available on Google Play and the App Store for iPhone. Just search “NC Centralina” to find it and download it at no cost. Full implementation and promotion of the Centralina WDB App will be a key focus of the Board in 2021-2021.

New virtual workshops via local NCWorks Career Centers will connect more customers with needed services in the upcoming fiscal year. The Board will continue to offer employment and skills training assistance to pandemic-related dislocated workers. The Finish Line Grants will expand to assist more local community college students overcome an obstacle to completion to receive their degree or certificate and move into employment. The Centralina WDB and its innovative, customized talent services, Value Proposition, package will assist local economic development organizations with new and expanding industry projects.

Formed in 1983, the Centralina Workforce Development Board was the first multi-county, regional workforce development board in North Carolina. Since 1983, the Centralina WDB has been at the forefront of innovative and creative services to the businesses and residents we serve. As the Centralina WDB moves into fiscal year 2022 and beyond, it will continue to be a leader in workforce development in the region.

For more information on the Centralina WDB, please visit www.centralinaworks.com.