Event Recap and Additional Resources
The 38th annual NCWorks Partnership Conference was held October 15 – 17, 2025 in Greensboro, NC. Centralina Workforce Development Board to proud to announce two recipients of the 2025 Governor’s NCWorks Awards of Distinction. Anthony “Tony” Simpson received the Outstanding Customer Service in Workforce Development Wayne Daves Award and Gaston College/Lincoln County Health Academy received the award for Outstanding Innovative Partnership.
The Governor’s NCWorks Awards of Distinction honor outstanding examples from the state’s workforce development system, including the students and jobseekers who receive training, the professionals who provide career services, and the employers and other organizations that support a skilled workforce. “This year’s outstanding honorees represent what makes North Carolina strong: talented, hard-working people, innovative partnerships, community-oriented businesses, and strong educational institutions,” said Governor Stein. “These award recipients are further proof that when it comes to workforce development, no state will outwork North Carolina.”
Outstanding Customer Service in Workforce Development – Wayne Daves Award: Anthony “Tony” Simpson of Lincolnton. Tony is the heartbeat of workforce development in Lincoln County, leading the Centralina WDB NCWorks Career Center with a vision that transcends day-to-day operations. His leadership is rooted in connection, linking local businesses, educators, and community organizations to build resilient talent pipelines and dismantle employment barriers for youth, veterans, justice-involved individuals, and older workers.
Tony’s proactive, hands-on approach sets him apart. He hosts mock interviews and career workshops at alternative schools like Asbury Academy and has co-organized Lincoln County’s inaugural Veterans Job and Resource Fair, bringing opportunity directly to those who need it most. He champions employer incentives such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Business Edge services, ensuring manufacturers and small businesses have the tools to grow and hire locally. Innovation is a hallmark of Tony’s work.
He launched a Second Chance Employer list to support reentry efforts and forged partnerships with colleges and senior services to empower older workers. His collaborations span organizations like the Lincoln County Drug Prevention and Recovery Coalition and school advisory boards, embedding workforce development into the fabric of community progress. Known for his exceptional customer service and authentic engagement, Tony creates meaningful connections that uplift both job seekers and employers. His dedication to inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous innovation has transformed Lincoln County’s workforce system into a model of accessibility and economic vitality. Calling Lincoln County “heaven” for workforce development, Tony is a key architect of its thriving partnerships between government, business, and community leaders. His strategic outreach and visionary leadership continue to drive economic growth and workforce excellence — leaving a lasting legacy in the region.
Outstanding Innovative Partnership: Gaston College’s Lincoln County Health Academy. The Lincoln County Health Academy, launched in the fall of 2024, is the result of education, health care, and economic development partners working together to address a critical shortage of health professionals in Lincoln County. Gaston College, Lincoln County Schools, Atrium Health Lincoln, and the Lincoln Economic Development Association/Lincoln County Rotary Student Fund (“Rotary Rooted”) are united by a shared mission: to build a sustainable, local talent pipeline that feeds into high-demand health care careers. The Academy seeks to increase the number of qualified health care workers in Lincoln County, reduce barriers to entry into these careers, and ensure students graduate with industry-recognized credentials, job readiness, and direct links to employment or continued post-secondary education. What makes this partnership truly innovative is the introduction of North Carolina’s first-ever Practical Nursing (PN) program available to high school students. The summer after students graduate high school, they are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and enter the workforce directly – debt-free and career-ready. The academy currently serves 36 students, including eight from the inaugural Practical Nursing cohort and 28 who enrolled in the second cohort.
Congratulations to Centralina Workforce Development!
Read more at the link below.
Governor Stein Honors Excellence in Workforce Development | NC Commerce
