WDP Seminar in Charlotte

Local Board Honors Workforce Development Professionals

Gov. Bev Perdue declared May 2011 to be “Workforce Development Professionals Month” in North Carolina to honor all professionals who play such a vital role in our economy.  In observance of the occasion, the Lumber River Workforce Development Board along with the NC Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Development hosted a regional seminar entitled “Unlocking Your Genius”.  The event was held on May 13, 2011 at the Robeson County Department of Social Services, located in Lumberton, NC and was attended by over 50 workforce development professionals from across the region, including Bladen, Hoke, Johnston, Columbus, Lee, Richmond, Robeson, and Scotland counties. 

North Carolina industry depends on its knowledgeable and dedicated workforce development professionals whether they are case managers, human resource specialists or career counselors.  Working in community colleges, JobLink Centers, non-profits or other organizations, these professionals help navigate a multifaceted job market for job seekers, employees and employers in every corner of the state.

Presenter Frank Lengel of Lengel Vocational Services, spoke to the audience about the concept of inner genius and how it connects to our identity.  “You don’t have to BE a genius to experience genius,” said Lengel.  Normal, everyday people have genius within and everyone can unlock their inner genius if they learn how to do it. Most importantly, once we have learned how to unlock our own genius, we can learn to help others experience their genius.  Attendees discovered that they could apply this technique when working with their customers. 

Agencies that were represented included Lumber River Council of Governments, Robeson County JobLink, UNC Pembroke Regional Center, Scotland County JobLink, Scotland County Schools, Hoke County JobLink, Bladen County JobLink, Employment Security Commission of NC, Johnston County Job Training, Columbus County JobLink, Sandhills Community College, Lumbee Regional Development Association Inc, Lee County Youth and Family Services, Southeastern Community College, Richmond County JobLink and Robeson County DSS.

The LRWDB oversees the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program for its four county region: Bladen, Hoke, Robeson and Scotland counties. WIA is a federally funded program designed to address the employment and training needs of adults, dislocated workers and youth. Visit www.ncwdpmonth.com for more information about National Workforce Development Professionals Month.

Lumberton Seminar

Workforce professionals have fun while learning.

And still more workforce professionals…

Workforce Development Seminar in Durham

More Professionals at the Durham Seminar

Photos submitted by Damien D. Neville, Youth Services Coordinator, Turning Point Workforce Development Board

Turning Point Workforce Professionals!

(and a few state staff)!

More photos from the Commission meeting …

Commission on Workforce Development, May 11, 2011

They ate cake and were merry …

The Commission on Workforce Development and the NC Society for Human Resource Management hosted a cake reception in honor of Workforce Development Professionals month.

Just for fun…

A workforce development word scramble from High Country Workforce Development Board.

Can you unscramble the words below?

1. jinlkbo

2. nhtipaprser

3. mcinbnute

4. oekbeerjs

5. laeesmss

 

 

Answers: 1. Joblink 2. partnership 3. incumbent 4. jobseeker 5. seamless

NC Youth Summit Planning Committee Recognized

I would like to recognize the Planning Committee members for the 2011 NC Youth Summit. They each worked tirelessly in the planning of a successful event.

Much hard work and preparation goes into planning the Annual Summit. We begin in November and don’t stop until AFTER the actual event, sometime in May!

Many thanks to: Lashauna Parker, Demone Frink, Deon Carter, Russell Ingram, Rufus Wilson, Libby Michel, Trenice Cutler, Damien Neville, Erika Sklennik, Kathy Slovak, Sonya Thompson, and my fellow chairwoman – Crystal Zellous.

It has truly been a pleasure working with each of you. Thank you – looking forward to 2012!!!

Submitted by Natasha Pender, Youth Program Specialist, Centralina Workforce Development Board, Inc