The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to introduce NEXGEN Services (the next generation of services for youth and young adults in the region).Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) it outlines a broader youth vision that supports an integrated service delivery system and provides a framework through which states and local areas can leverage other Federal, state, local and philanthropic resources to support In-School Youth (ISY) and Out-of-School Youth (OSY). Notably, WIOA shifts the primary program focus of the youth formula programs to support the educational and career success of OSY.Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) authorizes the establishment of a Youth Committee as a subgroup of the local board (Centralina Workforce Development Board). The purpose of the NEXGEN Council is to provide expertise in youth policy and to assist the CWDB in:Building sustainable relationships with young and young adult oriented stakeholdersFinding jobs for youth and young adults with career pathsUtilizing cross-country resources to the best advantage to serve youth and young adultsLinking relationships between secondary education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and community collegesCentralina’s NEXGEN Council Vision:Our NEXGEN talent will be educated, trained, and employed.Centralina’s NEXGEN Council Core Purpose:To link NEXGEN youth and young adults with the best resources to support their pathway to a solid career.

Centralina WDB and partners have launched the NC Manufacturing Institute to provide pathways for manufacturing companies in our region to access top workforce talent and build a world-class manufacturing workforce for the region. The North Carolina Manufacturing Institute is a response to local employers’ need for solving talent recruitment issues in order to grow and remain competitive. This initiative builds a clear and achievable pathway for people to acquire in-demand skills in order to access good jobs in local communities. On April 21, 2015, manufacturing firms, plant leadership teams, executivies, and community leaders convened to launch the institute and unveil the institute’s plans and services.The NC Manufacturing Institute will offer training opportunities consisting of an eight week, 160-hour program that will earn participants national certification and get hands-on experience in manufacturing. The training will be free to students who are recruited to the program.Robert “Stick” Williams, Duke Energy Vice President of Community Affairs, said Duke worked with the program in Indiana and it was successful in providing trained workers. “We all need good people,” said Tim Diass, Vice President of Human Resources for Alevo. He also added that the Manufacturing Institute is a great way for startups to find the workers they need in the region.Right now, the institute is seeking 40 businesses to partner in the program. Funding for the institute will come from those businesses. An orientation for people interested in participating in the institute will take place in the coming months.

Centralina Workforce Development Board, there are eight NCWorks Career Centers in the Centralina region dedicated to serving businesses and career seekers. We do this by staying connected in the community to understand what businesses need, and to help career seekers achieve success through valuable resources and services that help them find not just a job, but a career that meets their interests and goals.Our PrioritiesBusiness Customers-Recruitment and Job Postings-Retention Strategies-Downsizing and Layoff Assistance-Hiring and Tax Incentives-Labor Market Trends and DataCareer Seeker Customers-Employment and Training Services-Information on Careers in Growing Industries-Job Listings-Job Training and Education

The Competitive Workforce Alliance Allied Health Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) is a leading collaborative promoting allied health workforce development. Established to develop innovative solutions that address Allied Health workforce shortages, RSP brings together employers, educators, trainers and workforce and economic development professionals in a unique collaboration committed to developing a strong workforce for emerging high-demand healthcare jobs.The RSP is a part of a state-funded, industry-specific economic development initiative, or “sector strategy.” Launched in 2007, the RSP is now an independent organization with more than 40 members representing area employers, colleges, and universities, private trainers and workforce development boards from 12 North Carolina counties and 4 South Carolina counties.