GREENSBORO — North Carolina Commerce’s Workforce Solutions team introduced the NCWorks Mobile Career Center today in Greensboro in conjunction with two state workforce conferences being held this week. The mobile unit, a rolling job resource center serving both citizens and companies, provides ready access to a wide-range of career services at remote locations and events statewide.
“In today’s economy, everyone needs quick access to the resources that will advance a career or help a company recruit workers,” said North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III. “When you see the NCWorks logo, you know you’re in the right place to get help, whether you see it on our new mobile unit or over one of the 80 career centers located across the state.”
NCWorks is Governor Pat McCrory’s initiative to create a stronger alignment of services and resources to meet the workforce needs of businesses, connect North Carolinians to technical training and quality careers, and use data to monitor and assess program outcomes. The initiative also unifies the brand identity of the state’s integrated workforce development system, allowing both citizens and business owners to quickly identify and access available state resources in their local community.
“A successful workforce system takes many partners to be effective” said Will Collins, N.C. Commerce’s Assistant Secretary for Workforce. “The NCWorks Mobile Career Center is yet another tool we’re pleased to offer, allowing partners like the local Workforce Development Boards to bring resources right where they’re needed.”
Visitors to the NCWorks Mobile Career Center gain access to the workforce services available at ‘brick-and-mortar’ career centers, including free Internet access and resume preparation, as well as career counseling and assistance using the state’s jobs portal, NCWorks Online. The unit is deployed at a variety of locations and events, including job fairs, veterans’ ‘stand-down’ events and business sites receiving Rapid Response services during company closures or staff reductions.
This week in Greensboro, two major conferences will promote apprenticeships to private-sector employers and allow workforce professionals to share best practices that will enable them to better serve job seekers and businesses. On October 4 and 5, the NCWorks Apprenticeship Conference offers business leaders an opportunity to network with other businesses and learn about the many benefits of apprenticeship programs. The NCWorks Partnership Conference is being held October 5-7 and will draw more than 1,000 workforce development professionals from across the state. Attendees represent labor, state and federal government, education, community-based organizations, community colleges and the private sector. Now in its 29th year, the conference continues to offer timely topics and networking opportunities.