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Public Notice: Upcoming Release of Request for Proposal
Public NoticeA consortium of Workforce Development Local Areas (Project Partners) in North Carolina is seeking a provider for a web-based search engine, resume posting, and job matching system. The system must be capable of spidering to multiple ...
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Unemployment Rates Up in All Counties in HCWDB Region
(February 1, 2012) Today, the NC Department of Commerce - Labor and Economic Analysis Division released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for December 2011. All counties in the High Country region saw their unemployment numbers incr...
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Survey Says North Carolina Workers Continue to Have Skills Gaps
(January 26, 2012) Employers across North Carolina struggle to fill skilled positions as the state unemployment rate remains at almost 10% - according to a new survey conducted by the North Carolina Association of Workforce Development Boards. The...
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Unemployment Rates Up and Down Across the High Country
(January 4, 2012) Today, the NC Division of Employment Security (formerly known as the Employment Security Commission) released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for November 2011. The counties of the High Country region saw their u...
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ASU Design Students Bring New Ideas to JobLink Career Centers
(December 22, 2011) This fall the High Country Workforce Development Board (HCWDB) and the Appalachian State University Interior Design Program partnered to re-imagine what JobLink Career Centers could look and feel like. A group of 18 senior de...
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Congratulations Drew!
(December 8, 2011) Youth Career Coach, Drew Edwards of Ashe and Alleghany JobLink Career Centers, completed his Career Development Facilitator training in Raleigh December 7, 2011. Career Development Facilitator (CDF) is comprised of 120 hours of...
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Unemployment Rates Go Down in the High Country
(December 2, 2011) Today, the NC Division of Employment Security (formerly known as the Employment Security Commission) released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for October 2011. All counties in the High Country region saw their u...
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Construction Industry Report Released
(November 14, 2011) The High Country Workforce Development Board has released its Construction Industry Report, which details an overview of the construction industry in the High Country, energy expenditures, and energy savings. View the report ...
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Adult Participant Wins NC Governor's Award
(November 4, 2011) Rocky Minton, a 27-year old resident of Wilkes County has won the Outstanding Workforce Development Adult 2011 Governor’s Award for Excellence in a statewide competition and was recognized at the NC Workforce Development Partne...
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Unemployment Rate Goes Down Statewide
(October 28, 2011) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for September 2011. All counties in the High Country region saw their unemployment numbers decrease from the previous, as wel...
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Wilkes County Company CertainTeed to Add Jobs
(October 10, 2011) Wilkes County company CertainTeed Corp, manufacturers of building materials located in Roaring River, plans to add 29 new jobs by the end of 2012. The annual average wage for new jobs will be $42,741 not including benefits and...
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Landing a Job (or Employee) in a Tight Market
(September 22, 2011) by Sally TreadwellIt’s incredibly hard to lose your job to the recession. It’s even harder when you’re sole breadwinner for two little girls. So when Billy Lowery was laid off in 2009, he grabbed every temporary job he could f...
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The High Country Workforce Development Board Is Soliciting Letters of Intent
(September 19, 2011) The High Country Workforce Development Board is soliciting Letters of Intent for qualified organizations interested in bidding on the provision of the federally funded Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Adult/Dislocated Worker Ser...
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The 2010 Living Income Standard for North Carolina Is Now Available
(August 12, 2011) The 2010 Living Income Standard for North Carolina is now available. The North Carolina Budget and Tax Center has created the Living Income Standard (LIS) which is a market-based approach to estimating how much income a working ...
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Unemployment Rates Go Up in the High Country Region
(July 29, 2011) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for June 2011. All counties in the High Country region saw their unemployment numbers increase for the first time since the spri...
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Congratulations to Southern Industrial Constructors
(July 28, 2011) The High Country Workforce Development Board is pleased to announce that Southern Industrial Constructors (SIC) located in West Jefferson has been awarded the North Carolina Incumbent Worker Training Grant. The company will use the...
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Two Regional Businesses Receive Grant Award
(July 8, 2011) Two High Country businesses have been awarded grant funds from the NC Green Business Fund: Highland Craftsman in Spruce Pine (Mitchell County) and Mountain Heritage Expo Center in Burnsville (Yancey County).On July 1st, NC Departmen...
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Unemployment Rates Go Down in All High Country Counties
(June 24, 2011) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for May 2011. All counties in the High Country region saw their unemployment numbers decrease for a second month. Statewide, on...
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Congratulations to Local JobLink Centers
(June 17, 2011) Congratulations are in order for three local JobLink Centers that were recognized for achieving chartered status last week by the High Country Workforce Development Board at its regular meeting. The three local Centers were Alleg...
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Solar Jobs Fair in Avery County June 21st
(June 9, 2011) A job fair for 16 full time solar photovoltaic installers will be held at the Avery County Library from 9am to 4pm, Tuesday June 21st. Job seekers who are interested in this opportunity should bring their completed application and ...
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No way to achieve your career goals? Get REAL.
(May 4, 2011)Young adults breach barriers to employment every day through a Workforce Investment program.By Sally TreadwellSo you dropped out of school and now you have a couple of young children, an incomplete education, and no money. Or you got ...
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May Is National Workforce Development Professionals Month
(May 5, 2011) May has been designated by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals as Workforce Development Professionals Month.We're all painfully aware of the effects of the Great Recession from dealing with it either on a ...
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Good News: High Country Unemployment Rates Go Down Again
(April 27, 2011) On Wednesday, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for March 2011. All counties in the High Country region saw their unemployment numbers decrease for a second month. Sta...
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Successful Job Fair in Wilkes
(April 21, 2011) The Wilkes County JobLink Career Center hosted a job fair on Tuesday, April 12 at the John A. Walker Community Center. Approximately 300 people visited the fair which boasted about 25 employers. Click here to read the full arti...
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Strategic Plan Quarterly Report Is Now Available
(April 18, 2011) Our strategic plan quarterly report summary has been posted and can be viewed by clicking here.
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New Incumbent WorkerTraining Grant Recipient
(April 5, 2011) The High Country Workforce Development Board is proud to announce that Carolina West Wireless, located in Wilkes County, has been awarded the North Carolina Incumbent Worker Training Grant. The company will use the $25,000 of fund...
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The High Country Local Area Plan Is Now Available
(April 13, 2011) The High Country Workforce Investment Act Plan is now available for review. Please click here to view the Plan. To submit comments please click here to visit the Get In Touch section of the website. Comments will be accepted thro...
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Unemployment Rates Go Down for the High Country
(April 7, 2011) On Wednesday, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for February 2011. All counties in the High Country region saw their unemployment numbers decrease as did the state and t...
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Recovery Act On-the-Job Training Program Success Story
(March 22, 2011) High Country WDB is happy to share one of the success stories from our Recovery Act On-the-Job Training Program. Click here to read the article.
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Unemployment Rates Go Up for the High Country
(March 18, 2011) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for January 2011. All counties in the High Country region saw their unemployment numbers increase as did the state and the nati...
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Census 2010: Population Data Released
(March 17, 2011) Population data for the state of North Carolina was released this month. The state saw its population grow about 15 percent since the previous Census was completed in 2000.You can visit the NC Office of State Budget and Management...
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National Entrepreneurship Week in Burnsville
(March 3, 2011) The Town of Burnsville recently commemorated National Entrepreneurship Week. The event was coordinated and led by Wanda Proffitt, who serves on the AdvantageWest Board of Directors and the High Country Workforce Development Board, ...
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Gates Corporation to Add 58 Jobs
(February 25, 2011) Ashe County manufacturer and recent High Country Workforce Development Board incumbent worker training grant recipient, Gates Corporation, announced on Tuesday it will expand the Jefferson facility and create 58 new jobs with a...
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Aquaculture Visit at Johnson County High School
(February 25, 2011) The High Country Workforce Development Board’s Youth Council sponsored a site visit February 24, 2011, to Johnson County High School (Mountain City, TN) to learn about its unique aquaculture program, one of the school’s many ca...
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Lowe's to Add 275 Jobs at Wilkesboro Call Center
(February 16, 2011) Lowe's announced Tuesday that it will be adding 275 jobs at the Wilkesboro call center, bringing the total number of workers at the facility to nearly 1,000.The expansion is expected to help with processing the increasing numbe...
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Federal Training Grant Total in the High Country Tops $1 Million
(February 8, 2011) In the past seven years, more than $1 million has been funneled into High Country businesses to upgrade the skills of their workforces, thanks to the High Country Workforce Development Board and federal workforce development fun...
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2011 State of the South Report
(February 11, 2011) MDC, Inc., a policy think tank based in Chapel Hill, has released its State of the South Report 2011, Looking Ahead: Leadership in Hard Times. In speaking about the report, MDC President David Dodson said focusing on public pol...
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Online Tool Provides Tax Credit Information for Working Families
(February 8, 2011) A new online resource provides information on federal and state tax credits that affect working families. Visitors to the website can see an overview of the available tax credits; federal and state reports and fact sheets; and o...
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NC Division of Workforce Development Provides ARRA Update
(February 7, 2011) The North Carolina Division of Workforce Development provides quarterly updates to the Commission on Workforce Development spotlighting WIA and ARRA Initiatives. You can see February's newsletter - featuring the Biz Boost Initia...
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My Next Move: USDOL Jobseeker Tool
(February 7, 2011) Secretary of Labor HIlda Solis recently announced a new online tool, My Next Move, which is aimed at providing jobseekers with information on more than 900 occupations, as well as local job openings and training opportunities in...
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Unemployment Rate Rises in Six High Country Counties
(February 1, 2011) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for December 2010. All counties in the High Country region saw their unemployment numbers increase except for Wilkes, who act...
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High Country Workforce Development Consortium Meets
(January 27, 2011) The High Country Workforce Development Consortium met on Thursday, January 27th. During their meeting the Consortium selected Kenny Poteat, Chair of the Yancey County commissioners, to be the Chief Elected Officer of the High Co...
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Appalachian State University Listed As A Public College "Best Value"
(January 14, 2011) Kiplinger, a publisher of business finance and personal finance advice, has released its Best Values in Public College for 2011. Appalachian State University (ASU) is ranked 35th overall out of the 100 public institutions named ...
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Benefit Bank Sites In the High Country Region
(December 23, 2010) The Benefit Bank (TBB) of North Carolina is a collaborative effort to connect modest-income Americans with work supports (tax credits, public benefits, and student financial aid) through grassroots outreach using web-based tech...
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New County Unemployment Rates for the High Country
(January 4, 2011) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for November 2010. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows: Alleghany – 10.9% Ashe – 10.8% Avery – 9.8% Mitchell – ...
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North Carolina Now in the Top 10 of US Population
(December 22, 2010) According to the United States Census Bureau, the population in North Carolina has grown 18.5% since the last decinial census moving the state up into the top 10 most populated states in the country.As of April 1, 2010, North C...
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HCWDB Salutes Workforce Heroes
(December 14, 2010) The High Country Workforce Development Board held its regular meeting on Thursday, December 9th. The meeting featured a “Salute to Our Heros,” a panel of Workforce Investment Act participants, employers who use the workforce de...
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NC Employment Security Commission Announces November’s Unemployment Rate of 9.7 Percent
(December 17, 2010) Today, the North Carolina Employment Security Commission announced that the state’s unemployment rate increased marginally in November to 9.7 percent and in the United States to 9.8 percent. Both of these rates are seasonally a...
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Congratulations to Don Sherrill!
(December 10, 2010) Congratulations to Operations Director, Don Sherrill, who recently graduated from the Leadership Academy sponsored by the North Carolina Division of Workforce Development. Participation in the academy involved a year-long indep...
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New Website from the NC Department of Commerce
(December 3, 2010) The North Carolina Department of Commerce drew back the curtain on its new business recruiting website, www.thrivenc.com, which strives to be an all-inclusive destination for potential relocating companies or those that want to ...
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America's Promise Alliance
(December 3, 2010) On November 30th, the America’s Promise Alliance – founded in 1997 by General Colin Powell – in conjunction with Civic Enterprises and Everyone Graduates Center at John Hopkins University, released the report Building a Grad Nat...
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NCESC Reports Drop in Unemployment Rate in Over Half NC Counties
(November 30, 2010) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for September 2010. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows: Alleghany – 8.9% Ashe – 9.9% Avery – 8.2% Mitchell –...
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A New President for Mayland Community College
(November 19, 2010) On Thursday, November 18th the North Carolina Community College Board approved Dr. John Boyd as the new President of Mayland Community College effective January 1, 2011.A former United States Army Officer, Dr. Boyd, is currentl...
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Forty High Country Construction Professionals Trained in Green Building Techniques
(November 10, 2010) The High Country Workforce Development Board (HCWDB) recently launched its green job training program by training more than 40 area construction professionals in green building techniques. The program, made available with funds...
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2010 Report on the Future of the South
(November 4, 2010) In January, the High Country Workforce Development Board hosted a community forum in conjunction with Southern Growth Policy Board (SGPB) to discuss ways to find local solutions to the economic recession. SGPB has just published...
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Date Change for Executive Committee Meeting
(November 2, 2010) The High Country Workforce Development Board Executive Committee meeting date has changed to Thursday, November 18th at 3:00pm.
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The Unemployment Rate Decreases For All High Country Counties
(October 29, 2010) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for September 2010. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows: Alleghany – 9.0% Ashe – 9.6% Avery – 7.4% Mitchell – ...
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Roger Shackleford Speaks at HCWDB Meeting
(October 26, 2010) Roger Shackleford, Executive Director of the North Carolina Division of Workforce Development, spoke at the High Country Workforce Development Board meeting on October 21st to share information regarding future workforce trends,...
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New Chair Elected for High Country Workforce Development Board
(October 25, 2010) Congratulations to Bryan Peterson, newly elected Chair of the High Country Workforce Development Board. Bryan succeeds Scott Moncrief, who recently relocated for employment purposes. Earl Tipton continues to serve as Vice-Chair ...
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The New High Country Workforce Development Board Business Resource Directory Is Now Available
(October 20, 2010) The new High Country Workforce Development Board Business Resource Directory is now available on our website. It contains local, regional, and statewide resources that provide services and assistance to businesses. Check out the...
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Check Out the October Edition of ReCOGnition
(October 20, 2010) Read about recent High Country Workforce Development Board happenings in the October edition of ReCOGnition, the newsletter for the High Country Council of Governments. There are several workforce articles including a Workforce ...
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A New Career One Stop Website Resource
(October 20, 2010) A great new website has been recently unveiled as part of the Career One Stop family of websites by the United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. My Skills My Future can help anyone compare caree...
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HCWDB Members Attend Annual Statewide Conference
(October 20, 2010) High Country Workforce Development Board members Mike Birkmire, Anne Bowlin, Marie Gwyn, Jennie Harpold, and Sam Ray attended the annual North Carolina Workforce Development Partnership Conference in Greensboro October 13th thro...
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Workforce Investment Act Annual Report for Program Year 2009 Available
(October 4, 2010) Today, the North Carolina Division of Workforce Development announced the availability of the Workforce Investment Act Annual Report for Program Year 2009. The Annual Report is a comprehensive collection of success stories from t...
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NC Rural Center Grant Opportunities
(October 1, 2010) The North Carolina Rural Center has announced two grant opportunities in Workforce Development. The grants are geared toward promoting economic and business development in rural North Carolina.Economic Innovation Grants are desig...
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Mayland Community College Ranked 4th in the Nation
(October 1, 2010) Mayland Community College has been ranked 4th in the nation by the magazine Washington Monthly in its 2010 ranking of America's 50 best community colleges. The rankings are based on the Community College Survey of Student Engagem...
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Unemployment Rates Down in High Country Region
(September 24, 2010) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for August 2010. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows: Alleghany – 9.6% Ashe – 10.6% Avery – 7.8% Mitchell – ...
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Training Held for Workforce Investment Act Service Providers
(September 20, 2010) On September 17th, Workforce Investment Act service providers were treated to a highly informative workshop on the future of the green industry sector by High Country Workforce Development Board Business Services Coordinator, ...
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A Decrease In North Carolina's Unemployment Rate
(September 20, 2010) Last month, North Carolina's unemployment rate decreased to 9.7 percent according to statistics released Friday by the NC Employment Security Commission. Most of the growth across the state was in the education sector; however...
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Microsoft Elevate America Community Initiative RFP
(September 7, 2010) Microsoft recently announced the availability of a request for proposals (RFP) for the Microsoft Elevate America community initiative. According to information released from the Microsoft Charlotte Campus & Carolinas Region, Mi...
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Jobless Rates Rise Nationwide Even as Companies Add Workers
(September 3, 2010) The unemployment rate has risen across the country even though private employers added 67,000 new jobs over the last three months, according to a US Department of Labor.Contributing to the increased jobless rate include the end...
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High County Workforce Development Board Staff Participates in Regional Library System Training
(September 3, 2010) Rebecca Bloomquist, special projects coordinator for the High Country Workforce Development Board, gave a presentation to 65 staff members of the Appalachian Regional Library system (the libraries of Ashe, Watauga, and Wilkes c...
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New County Unemployment Rates Released
(August 27, 2010) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for July 2010. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows: Alleghany – 10.1% Ashe – 10.9% Avery – 8.0% Mitchell – 10.1...
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Welcome Adrian Tait!
(August 26, 2010) With a wealth of experience in various green jobs, our newest staff member, Adrian Tait, brings a practical approach to the challenges and opportunities of creating a green economy.Adrian has spent the past five years running Gre...
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Five Local WIA Participants Graduate
(August 19, 2010) Five local Workforce Investment Act (WIA) participants recently received their Nurse Aide I certificates: Brittany Baldwin, Cynthia Beamer, Mary Boggs, Samantha Canter (Youth), and Ruby Ham. Congratulations!To see a photo and rea...
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The High Country Workforce Development Board Requests Letters of Intent
(August 23, 2010) The High Country Workforce Development Board intends to request bids for the delivery of On-the-Job Training services, pending availability of funding.Letters of Intent for the Workforce Investment Act On-the-Job Training Nationa...
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New EDC President for Wilkes County
(August 17, 2010) Wilkes Economic Development Corporation has named its new President. Jeffrey Gartska was recently introduced at the EDC Board of Directors meeting. To see the full story from the Wilkes Journal Patriot, click here.
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HCWDB Receives $400,000 for On-The-Job Training
(August 4, 2010) High Country Workforce Development Board has been awarded $400,000 through a US Department of Labor to NC to provide on-the-job training to dislocated workers. The funds are part of a National Emergency Grant in response to long-t...
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Champions of Green
(August 2, 2010) On July 23rd, the High Country Workforce Development Board (HCWDB) participated in the initial "Champions of Green" meeting. The meeting, attended by local green business leaders, workforce development board officials, a...
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2008-2011 Strategic Plan Update
(July 30, 2010) The High Country Workforce Development Board has posted a summary of its Program Year 2009 progress towards its 2008-2011 Strategic Plan. To view the summary, visit the Strategic Plan Update page and click on “click here for status...
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County Unemployment Rates for June: Not Much Change
(July 23, 2010) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for June 2010. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows: Alleghany – 9.9% Ashe – 10.9% Avery – 8.0% Mitchell – 10.4% W...
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A New Chapter for Local Woman
(July 13, 2010) When Taylor Togs closed its doors in October 2007 and laid off Burnsville resident, Gail Parker, she never expected that life-changing moment to lead to a reception at the Governor’s mansion almost three years later. Parker was one...
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United Chemicon Receives NC Star Safety Award
(July 6, 2010) On June 28, NC Department of Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry was in attendance in Lansing to honor Ashe County company, United Chemicon, for its work in receiving the NC Star Safety Award. These awards are given to companies that sh...
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Encouraging Parnterships Between Workforce System and Public Libraries
(July 6, 2010) The United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration recently announced the partnership between the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Department of Labor in order to help jobseekers access empl...
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NC Department of Commerce Energy Office Announces Grant Award
(July 1, 2010) The Appalachian State University Energy Center and Systems Building Research Alliance, a nonprofit consortium of electric utilities and major manufactured and modular home building companies have been designated by the NC Department...
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County Unemployment Rates Drop in May
(June 25, 2010) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) for May 2010. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows: Alleghany – 9.4% Ashe – 11.2% Avery – 8.2% Mitchell – 10.3% Wa...
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HCWDB Elects New Officers
(June 24, 2010) At its June meeting the High Country Workforce Development Board elected new officers for the upcoming program year. Scott Moncrief of Alleghany County has been elected as Chair and Earl Tipton of Yancey County as Vice-Chair. Many ...
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NC Unemplyment Rate drops to 10.3%
(June 22, 2010) On Friday, June 18th the NC Employment Security Commission released new statistical data reflecting the state’s unemployment rate dropping to 10.3 percent – down from 10.8 % in April. According to ESC Chairman Lynn Holmes, “While t...
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Congratulations to Area Businesses
(June 15, 2010) Congratulations to Southern Industrial (Ashe County), Carolina Morning Designs (Yancey County), and Phillips Appraisals (Ashe County) for being awarded Incumbent Workforce Grant funds to support educational and skills training for ...
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National Unemployment Rate Falls
(June 4, 2010) The US Department of Labor posted its recent data showing the national unemployment rate dropping to 9.7 percent - down from 9.9 the previous month. Other national data includes the following: 431,000 - New jobs created in May 411,0...
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Board seeks applications for Energy Sector Business Services Representative
(June 10, 2010) The High Country Workforce Development Board is currently seeking applications for its Business Services Representative, who will place special focus on job training in the energy-efficiency/renewable energy industry sector. For mo...
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Benefit Bank of North Carolina
(June 4, 2010) The High Country Workforce Development Board recently hosted an orientation session on the Benefit Bank of North Carolina, a collaborative effort to connect modest-income Americans with work supports (tax credits, public benefits, a...
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Welcome ........
(June 4, 2010) The High Country Workforce Development Board would like to welcome the new manager for the Employment Security Commission (ESC), Anita Lowe. Anita has been with ESC for several years and most recently was the manager of the Brevard ...
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North Carolina’s April Unemployment Rate Drops for Second Straight Month
(May 21, 2010) North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased to 10.8 percent in April, down 0.3 of a percentage point from March’s 11.1 percent rate, and 0.1 of a percentage point higher than April 2009, according to statistics released by the stat...
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May Is Workforce Development Professionals Month
(May 21, 2010) Now more than ever, workforce development professionals are called upon to ensure North Carolina’s ability to compete in the global economy. The vital contributions of these professionals are honored during National Workforce Develo...
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North Carolina’s March Unemployment Rate Drops Slightly To 11.1 Percent
(April 16, 2010) North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased to 11.1 percent in March, according to statistics released by the state’s Employment Security Commission. The rate decreased from 11.2 percent in February. Nationally, March’s unemploym...
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March Unemployment Rates Drop in All Seven High Country Counties
(April 26, 2010) Unemployment rates in the High Country finally reversed their upward trend in March, with all seven counties posting decreased month-over-month rates. March’s numbers ended a five-month period of steadily increasing rates regionwi...
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HCWDB Receives Program Year 2010 Allocations
(April 12, 2010) The High Country Workforce Development region has received its Program Year 2010 Workforce Investment Act formula funds allocation: Adult: $452,595 (up $86,679 from 2009); Dislocated Workers: $752,988 (down $205,423); Youth: $533,...
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Congratulations to the Hard-Working Staff at the Employment Security Commission!
(April 16, 2010) Employees at North Carolina Employment Security Commission offices across the state—including those in the High Country—have been honored for their service to customers during 2009. Governor Bev Perdue selected the Employment Secu...
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The High Country Workforce Development Board Requests Letters of Intent
(April 23, 2010) The High Country Workforce Development Board intends to request bids for the delivery of services for three programs, pending availability of funding. Letters of Intent for the Workforce Investment Act State Energy Sector Grant, ...
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February Unemployment Rates in Six of Seven High Country Counties Significantly Above State’s 11.2 Percent Rate
(April 7, 2010) Unemployment rates in the High Country continued to climb in February, with six of the seven counties posting increases from January and continuing the trend of monthly increases that began in October 2009.In the February numbers r...
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The HCWDB Requesting Letters of Intent
(April 16, 2010) The High Country Workforce Development Board intends to request bids for the delivery of services for the Workforce Investment Act Energy Sector Grant, funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Letters of Intent mus...
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N.C. High Speed Rail Business Opportunity Workshop April 21
(April 1, 2010) As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, North Carolina has been awarded $545 million to design and construct elements of the state's Southeast High Speed Rail project. To announce the business opportunities that will...
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Lt. Governor To Conduct Small Business Forum in Wilkes County April 21
(April 1, 2010) North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton and Commerce Department Deputy Secretary Dale Carroll are coming to the High Country to hear from business owners about the issues, needs, ideas, and concerns facing the small busine...
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Program Year 2010 High Country Workforce Investment Act Plan Available for Public Comment
April 1, 2010The High Country Workforce Investment Act Plan is now available for review. Please click here. to visit the Publications page and view the Plan. To submit comments please click here or visit the Get In Touch section of the website. Co...
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North Carolina’s Unemployment Rate Increases to 11.2 Percent in February
(March 26, 2010) North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased to 11.2 percent in February, according to statistics released by the state’s Employment Security Commission. The rate increased from 11.1 percent in January. "Our data shows how di...
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Bureau of Labor Statistics Tackles the Definition of Green Jobs
(March 22, 2010) Everyone has heard the term "green jobs,” but what are they exactly? When the folks at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) began looking into the matter, they discovered that there is no widely accepted standard definition o...
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January Unemployment Rates Spike in All High Country Counties
(March 22, 2010) Unemployment rates increased in 99 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in January, and all 7 High Country counties saw increases from December ranging from 0.7 percent in Wilkes counties to 2.8 percent in Ashe County, according to da...
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Program Year 2010 High Country Workforce Investment Act Plan
The Program Year 2010 High Country Workforce Investment Act Plan will be published on our website and available for public comment on April 2, 2010. At that time, check the Headlines section of our website for a link to the plan and to the Contact...
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Potential Career Paths for WIA Participants
(March 17, 2010) Adults and dislocated workers who qualify for training paid through Workforce Investment Act funds have a number of career paths to choose from.A list of the 12 allowable occupational training programs is posted in the Publication...
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North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Survey Is Available
(March 17, 2010) The 2010 North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Survey is now available online at www.ncteachingconditions.org. Educators have until April 16, 2010 to complete the survey. The purpose of the North Carolina Teacher Working Condi...
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U.S. Department of Labor Releases Report on Youth Summer Jobs Initiative
(March 17, 2010) A report released today by the U.S. Department of Labor found that the 2009 Recovery Act Summer Youth Employment Initiative was largely successful in connecting young workers with employment experiences. Nationwide, 317,000 young ...
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N.C. Unemployment Rises to 11.1 Percent in January
(March 11, 2010) North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased to 11.1 percent in January, according to statistics released by the state’s Employment Security Commission. January’s rate is an increase of 0.2 of a percentage point from a benchmarked...
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e-Avery Seeks Input on Broadband Access To Encourage Google to Build a Test Network in the County
(March 4, 2010) Have you ever wondered• What else your business could do if you had a more powerful Internet connection?• How much more business you could generate?• What business you are missing out on because you have a S-L-O-W Internet connecti...
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Incumbent Worker Grants Help Businesses Stay Competitive
(March 11, 2010) The federal Workforce Investment Act funds grants to businesses to pay for worker training. The goals of the grant funding are to enhance workers’ skills and to help businesses become more competitive.The State of North Carolina h...
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ASU Renews Request for Local Business Owners To Complete a Short Survey
(March 4, 2010) The Center for Entrepreneurship and the Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis at Appalachian State University are jointly conducting a short survey of businesses in northwestern North Carolina to better inform and assist...
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Recently Updated Workforce Board Resources Page Includes Pointers to Career Assistance Resources
(March 2, 2010) The recently updated Resources page at the High Country Workforce Development Board website includes pointers to a number of career assistance resources for students, job seekers, and employed individuals.The Resources collection a...
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March Offers Numerous Resources for Entrepreneurs
(March 1, 2010) The month of March is packed with courses, workshops, and conferences targeted to those who are thinking of starting their own businesses.From marketing to website design to Quickbooks, local offerings at community colleges cover a...
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Three Resources—One Is Local—To Help Businesses Export Their Products
(February 24, 2010) Small- and medium-size business owners who want to explore the potential for exporting their products or learn how to increase their export revenues have three potential sources of assistance: an eight-week course offered at Wi...
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Governor Perdue Appoints New ESC Chair
(February 23, 2010) Governor Bev Perdue has named Moses Carey, former chair of the Employment Security Commission, as the state’s Secretary of Administration. Lynn Holmes will step in to Carey’s vacated seat.Holmes is the former assistant vice pre...
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Good News for Small Business: A New Contracting Advantage and a Small Business Commissioner
(February 18, 2010) North Carolina-based businesses now have a price-matching opportunity when bidding on state contracts for the purchase of goods, and a newly appointed small business commissioner is tasked with aligning business resources at th...
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Federal Grants Available for Business Training To Increase Competiveness and Employee Skills
(February 18, 2010) All business owners know that when their workers lack specific skills, the result can be lost opportunities and lost revenue, as well as an inability to successfully compete. The problem is that training is expensive and in tod...
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U.S. Department of Labor Grant Focuses on Turning Green into Gold in WNC
(February 12, 2010) The Future Forward Workforce Alliance—a partnership including the High Country, Western Piedmont and Region C Workforce Development Boards—is one of four project teams in North Carolina to win a significant U.S. Department of L...
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U.S. Department of Labor Posts Best Tools for America’s Job Seekers
(February 8, 2010) More than 16,000 job seekers and others reviewed and recommended more than 600 online tools during the U.S. Department of Labor’s Tools for America’s Job Seekers Challenge. The recommendations have been tallied, and the top-rate...
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ASU Requests Business Owners’ Participation in Survey
(February 8, 2010) Appalachian State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and the Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis are jointly conducting a short survey of businesses in northwestern North Carolina to better inform and assist e...
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Participate in the Green Jobs Survey for Western NC
(January 29, 2010) Land-of-Sky Regional Council in Asheville has launched a survey funded by the NC Rural Center to develop a better understanding of businesses in North Carolina that are currently involved with renewable energy, energy efficiency...
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December Unemployment Rates Jump in All High Country Counties
(February 2, 2010) Unemployment rates increased in 86 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in December, and all 7 High Country counties saw increases from November ranging from 0.3 percent in Avery and Wilkes counties to 1.1 percent in Mitchell County...
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Appalachian State University and Employment Security Commission To Conduct Job Application Workshops Beginning Feb. 9
(January 28, 2010) Appalachian State University and the N.C. Employment Security Commission of Boone are teaming up to offer jobseekers information and assistance that could help them land positions at the university.Beginning Tuesday, February 9,...
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Project Reentry Is Coming to Wilkes To Help Ex-Offenders
(January 25, 2010) Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina is expanding its Project Reentry program for ex-offenders to Wilkes County. Not only will the program address an urgent need in the county, but it will also provide a new job for a...
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Call for Ashe Career Fair Participants: Help Students Learn about Local Opportunities and Expectations
(January 25, 2010) Ashe County High School has partnered with the Ashe JobLink Career Center and Wilkes Community College to host the Second Annual Career Fair for all Ashe County high school students on Tuesday, March 16, from 10:30 a.m. until 1:...
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N.C.’s Unemployment Rate Increases To 11.2 Percent
(January 22, 2010) North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 11.2 percent in December, an increase of 0.5 of a percentage point from a revised 10.7 percent in November and 3.1 percentage points higher than December 2008, according...
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U.S. Dept. of Labor Awards Regional Innovation Grant to High Country Workforce Development Board
(January 22, 2010) When three western North Carolina workforce development boards collaborated two years ago on a regional innovation grant application for submission to the U.S. Department of Labor, the three boards’ 15 counties were already reel...
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Two Maps Paint the Picture of Job Growth and Job Loss
(January 14, 2010) Two interactive maps show dramatic graphical representations of the economic turmoil in the United States over the past two years.Job Growth: Moody's Economy.com, an economic consulting firm, forecasts U.S. job growth by geograp...
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Perdue Announces Small Business and Education Initiatives
(January 14, 2010) Governor Bev Perdue has announced initiatives designed to boost two of her major policy priorities for the coming year: jobs and education.Small BusinessPerdue announced the launch of a statewide small business initiative called...
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High Country Unemployment Remains High; Local Census Jobs Offer Temporary Reprieve
(January 6, 2010) Unemployment rates increased in four High Country counties from October to November 2009, with increases ranging from 0.2 percent in Mitchell County to 1.1 percent in Avery County, according to data released by the North Carolina...
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The New FAFSA Is Here—Local FAFSA Help Sessions Scheduled for February 13
(January 8, 2010) The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has earned a well-deserved reputation as a huge annual hassle for students applying for financial aid and for their parents. But the U.S. Department of Education is hoping to t...
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Local Census Jobs Available—Recruiting at the Watauga JobLink on Fridays
(January 5, 2010) Uncle Sam wants you to help count all the residents of the High Country during the 2010 census. Jobs with starting pay of $11.50 per hour are available in all seven High Country counties: Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga...
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N.C. Green Business Fund Solicits Innovative Proposals by January 19
(December 30, 2009) The N.C. Green Business Fund is seeking proposals to help small businesses statewide develop and commercialize promising green and alternative energy technologies, products, and services. The competitive grants, worth up to $50...
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Five High Country Counties Receive Dropout Prevention Grants
(December 30, 2009) The North Carolina General Assembly's Committee on Dropout Prevention has awarded grants totaling $13 million to 83 organizations in 63 counties. Five High Country counties received grants totaling $563,715.Local grant recipien...
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2010-11 Editions of The Occupational Outlook Handbook and The Career Guide To Industries Are Available Online
(December 30, 2009) The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has released the 2010-11 editions of the Occupational Outlook Handbook and the Career Guide to Industries.Considered the government's premier source of career information, the Handbook and Ca...
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Lean Comes to the Hospital—Cannon Memorial Receives Federal Training Grant to Continue Its Lean Transformation
(December 22, 2009) We all have expectations about hospital emergency rooms, and one of them is the seemingly endless wait times. But what if, instead of sitting for hours in the waiting room, you were immediately assisted into a treatment room? W...
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Caldwell County Featured on National Public Radio
National Public Radio’s All Things Considered is running a three-day series discussing the intersection of Caldwell County’s loss of furniture jobs and Google’s arrival. You can access the news stories on line by clicking here selecting the dates ...
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Brushy Mountain Bee Farm Named 2009 Small Business of the Year
(December 10, 2009) Brushy Mountain Bee Farm is on a roll. In June, the company won an NC State Industrial Extension Service $1 Billion Award for North Carolina, formally recognizing the company for posting more than $2 million in increased sales ...
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U.S. Department of Labor Releases Updated Employment Law Guide
(December 2, 2009) The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the availability of an updated version of its Employment Law Guide, an online publication that describes the major employment laws administered by the department. The guide helps the pu...
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Rural Center Innovation Grants—Letter of Intent Deadline December 31
(December 2, 2009) The North Carolina Rural Center’s Economic Innovation Grants Program is designed to spur business activity, job creation, and public/private investment in North Carolina’s rural communities by supporting innovative economic deve...
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Boham Appointed to N.C. Commission on Workforce Development
(December 2, 2009) Gov. Bev Perdue has appointed Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute President Ken Boham to serve as a member of the North Carolina Commission on Workforce Development. His term on the commission runs through January...
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N.C. Employers May Reduce 2010 UI Tax Rates
(December 2, 2009) Many North Carolina employers may be eligible to reduce their 2010 unemployment insurance tax rates—and save from $50 to $1 million next year—by making a voluntary tax contribution to the N.C. Employment Security Commission befo...
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Unemployment Rates Rise in All High Country Counties in October
(December 3, 2009) Reversing a four-month trend of steadily declining unemployment rates in the High Country, October’s numbers showed an increase in all seven counties, with the upticks ranging from 0.1 in Alleghany and Watauga to 1.8 in Ashe. Ba...
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Gates Corporation Featured in NC State Newsletter
(November 20, 2009) The Gates Corporation in Ashe County, recipient of NC State’s 1B4NC award for the results the company achieved by creatively combining lean production methods with Six Sigma processes, is featured as the lead story in the Indus...
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Two High Country Companies Receive Green Business Fund Grants
(November 19, 2009) Gov. Bev Perdue announced on November 18 that 18 small North Carolina companies will receive grants up to $100,000 to develop and market promising green and alternative energy technologies and products. Two of those companies a...
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NC Receives $1 Million in Recovery Act Green Jobs Competitive Grants
(November 19, 2009) The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the award of nearly $55 million in green jobs grants as authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and North Carolina’s awards total just over $1 million.The Emp...
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Three for Three! All High Country Incumbent Worker Grants Funded
(November 5, 2009) All three of the incumbent worker grants submitted by the High Country Workforce Development Board this funding cycle have been awarded by the Division of Workforce Development in Raleigh, bringing $58,500 to the region for work...
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Wilkes JobLink Rechartered
(November 11, 2009) At a regional JobLink meeting in Boone on November 3, 2009, Tamme Reese (left) and Linda Strong (right) of the Division of Workforce Development formally presented the new charter for the Wilkes JobLink Career Center.The Wilkes...
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Perdue Announces I Hire Military Campaign
(November 13, 2009) During a Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony held in Jacksonville on November 11, Gov. Bev Perdue announced the creation of the I Hire Military campaign to encourage businesses to hire veterans and military spouses.To join the I ...
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New Disability Resource Is Designed for Workforce Professionals
(November 5, 2009) On October 1, the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor launched a Disability and Employment Resource website in connection with National Disability Employment Awareness Month. According to the s...
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‘Employ A Vet Week’ Is November 8 to 14
(November 10, 2009) Veterans of all eras and the unique skill sets they can offer employers across North Carolina are highlighted during “Employ A Vet Week,” November 8 to 14.“Economically, our state benefits tremendously from the military,” said ...
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Congress Passes Unemployment Benefits Extension
(November 5, 2009) The Senate voted 98-0 on November 4 to extend jobless benefits by 14 weeks for every state and an additional 6 weeks, for a total of 20 weeks, in high-unemployment states where the jobless rate exceeds 8.5 percent. North Carolin...
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CFNC.org—Not Just for High School Students
Since its launch in 2001, North Carolina's college access web portal CFNC.org has continually grown its user base while at the same time streamlining the college application process for students and counselors. But CFNC.org isn’t just for high sch...
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Older Low-Income Workers Face Historic Crisis
(November 5, 2009) In a new study of more than 2,000 low-income unemployed workers age 55 and older, 46 percent said they need to find jobs so they don’t lose their homes or apartments, and approximately half (49 percent) said they have been looki...
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Strategic Plan Quarterly Update—July to September 2009—Is Now Available
(October 22, 2009) Activities taking place during the first quarter of Program Year 2009 to meet the three goals of the High Country Workforce Development Board’s Strategic Plan have been posted at the Board website. To access the quarterly update...
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September Unemployment Rates Decrease in Five High Country Counties
(October 26, 2009) Unemployment rates in five High Country counties dropped month over month from August to September and stayed the same in two counties according to data released Oct. 23 by the N.C. Employment Security Commission. The region’s u...
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Recovery Through Retrofit: A Positive Step Forward for Green Jobs
(October 22, 2009) On October 19, Vice President Joe Biden unveiled Recovery Through Retrofit, a report that lays out recommendations for expanding green job opportunities and boosting energy savings by making homes more energy efficient.Existing ...
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Fall Swap Meet: A New Perspective on Ex-Offenders and Their Challenges
(October 22, 2009) “How many of you have ever taken something from work, whether you meant to or not? A pen, a paper clip, a ream of paper?”“If you have, write on your nametag, ‘I am a thief.’”And that’s how Charlie Anderson, ex-offender specialis...
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Board Solicits Letters of Intent for Providing Youth Services in Four Counties
(October 6, 2009) The High Country Workforce Development Board is soliciting Letters of Intent from qualified organizations interested in bidding to provide federally funded Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Services in Avery, Mitchell, Watauga...
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N.C. Unemployment Stays at 10.8 Percent in September
(October 16, 2009) North Carolina’s unemployment rate remained at 10.8 percent in September, according to data released October 16 by the N.C. Employment Security Commission. Seasonally adjusted employment increased by 9,696 workers to 4,042,297. ...
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Work Trends: Women in the Labor Force
(October 16, 2009) Writer Gail Collins, who was the first editorial page editor of The New York Times, has just released a new book—When Everything Changed—that charts the ways the lives of women in the United States have changed since the passage...
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JOBS Commission Launches October 12
(October 13, 2009) Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton’s Joining Our Businesses and Schools (JOBS) Commission launched Monday, October 12, with the aim of forging a stronger link between high school curricula and local economies. Dalton’s 20-member ...
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Two Presentations: Working with Criminal Backgrounds/Business Tax Credits on October 21
(October 12, 2009) The next Workforce Development Swap Meet is Wednesday, October 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the High Country Council of Governments’ new office at 468 New Market Boulevard in Boone. Presentations will include Working wit...
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High Country Youth Participant Recognized at Annual Partnership Conference
(October 12, 2009) Wilkes County Get REAL youth services participant Teresa Mejia-Santos was one of four North Carolinians who received a 2009 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Workforce Development at the annual N.C. Workforce Development Partne...
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Presentation: Home Protection Loan Program for Dislocated Workers October 13
(October 5, 2009) Jim Falco with Northwestern Regional Housing Authority will present information on the Home Protection Loan Program for Dislocated Workers at the High Country Council of Governments new office at 468 New Market Boulevard, Boone, ...
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High Country Award Winner, Summer Youth Participants Featured in DWD Annual Report
(October 2, 2009) Wilkes County native Teresa Mejia-Santos, Outstanding Workforce Development Older Youth Governor’s Award winner for 2009, and two NC Summer Jobs youth participants from the High Country are featured in the Division of Workforce D...
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Gates Corporation Wins Prestigious NC State Award
(October 5, 2009) A $37,500 investment that yields a $3 million payoff in cost savings and a $1 million economic impact may sound like the kind of wheeling and dealing that brought down Wall Street, but in this case it’s not only real, but quantif...
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New Census Numbers Show Beginning of Recession Impact
(October 1, 2009) Just-released data from the U.S. Census 2008 American Community Survey (ACS) clearly shows the beginning of the effect of the current recession on North Carolina families—flat earnings, an increase in the poverty rate, an increas...
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N.C. To Receive $5.6 Million Grant for State Unemployment Insurance Technology Infrastructure
(September 28, 2009) The U.S. Department of Labor has announced $164.5 million in grants to 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands to make technology upgrades that will improve the operation and security of unempl...
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Fall Edition of Occupational Outlook Quarterly Includes an Article about a Solar Photovoltaic Installer
(September 28, 2009) The Fall 2009 issue of the Occupational Outlook Quarterly Online has been posted at the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.The Occupational Outlook Quarterly provides practical and up-to-date information on jobs and careers. A...
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Unemployment Rate Drops in All Seven High Country Counties in August
(September 28, 2009) Unemployment rates in every county throughout the High Country region dropped month over month from July to August according to data released Sept. 25 by the N.C. Employment Security Commission, bringing the region’s unemploym...
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Disability Stakeholders & WIA Listening Session October 1
(September 21, 2009) The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and Employment and Training Administration will hold a national Workforce Investment Act listening session for disability stakeholders on Thursday, October ...
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Rural Center Has New ARRA Grant Program To Aid Laid-Off Workers
(September 21, 2009) The North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center's Rural Community Mobilization Project has scheduled five workshops to provide training to help rural communities address the needs of laid-off workers. Workforce developmen...
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Work Trends: Women’s Pay Inequality Impacts Families in Recession
Work Trends stories highlight important developments or research related to the American workforce.(September 21, 2009) A recent report from the Center for American Progress shows that the number of married couples in which the woman is the main e...
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State Board of Community Colleges Approves Admissions Policy for Undocumented Immigrants
(September 21, 2009) The State Board of Community Colleges has approved an admissions policy that would allow undocumented immigrants to attend North Carolina community colleges. The board voted 16 to 1 to admit undocumented immigrants if they mee...
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National Employ the Older Worker Week Is Sept. 21 to 25
(September 22, 2009) America is witnessing a dramatic growth in the number of citizens 55 or older, a trend that will continue through the 21st century. National Employ Older Workers Week—September 21 to 25—recognizes the vital role of older worke...
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Wilkes Woman Wins State Workforce Development Award
Few success stories are tales of simple linear progressions from point A to point B. Instead, the path to achievement is often a convoluted one, with periods of progress and perseverance derailed by dark days of discouragement, self-doubt and resi...
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Report: Health Care Employment Stable During Recession, Poised for Growth with Recovery
(September 9, 2009) An article in the North Carolina Medical Journal July/August 2009 edition entitled “Health Care Employment and the Current Economic Recession” indicates that the hiring slowdown in health care occupations is temporary and that ...
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New Report Identifies Hot Jobs in Healthcare, Energy, Education, IT—And Many Do Not Require a Bachelor's Degree
(September 5, 2009) A new report released on September 2, 2009 details tomorrow's hot jobs—professions that promise, over the next few years, to grow both in number and income. A job is considered hot if it pays more than the 2006 average wage of ...
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Key City Furniture Incumbent Worker Grant Article Makes Front Page of Wilkes Journal-Patriot
(September 4, 2009) A news release prepared by Workforce Development Board staff announcing Key City Furniture's award of a $25,000 incumbent worker grant was printed on the front page of the Wilkes Journal-Patriot on Wednesday, September 2.Teams ...
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We’re Moving September 14 to 18
(September 15, 2009) The High Country Council of Governments is moving its offices from Greenway Road to New Market Boulevard the week of September 14 to 18. All moves are disruptive, and as we’re in the process of trying to get from Point A to Po...
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New County Unemployment Rates; Decreases Seen in the High Country
(August 31, 2009) Friday, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates for July 2009. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows: Alleghany – 11.3% Ashe – 10.8% Avery – 8.3% Mitchell – 12.7% Watauga – 7.7% Wilkes –...
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Dedication of Applied Technology Center at Wilkes Community College Sept. 17
(September 15, 2009) Wilkes Community College will formally dedicate the Applied Technology Center, an addition to Daniel Hall on the Wilkes Campus, on Thursday, September 17, at 3:00 pm. A public open house with light refreshments, tours, and dem...
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Interactive Job Growth Map Updated with First Quarter 2009 Data
(August 26, 2009) The Job Growth Map at USA Today.com was updated July 29, 2009.Moody's Economy.com, an economic consulting firm, forecasts U.S. job growth by geographic region and by industry and updates the forecasts each month. Based on the dat...
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Performance Measures Update for PY 2008 Goals Posted
(August 26, 2009) The High Country Workforce Development Board has identified three locally meaningful goals to supplement federal Workforce Investment Act performance standard as part of its three-year strategic plan update.A Program Year 2008 Lo...
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WRAL-TV Profiles Yancey County Quilt Trail
(August 24, 2009) A recent Summer on a Budget segment broadcast on WRAL-TV (Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville) featured an interview with Barbara Webster, executive director of Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina, spectacular summer footage of Yancey...
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N.C. Ranks at the Top in Department of Labor’s ARRA Readiness Assessment
(August 18, 2009) Shortly after the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the U.S. Department of Labor began a review of state and local workforce system partner agencies to dete...
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Blue Ridge Regional Rated in Top 20 Percent of Hospitals Nationwide
(August 13, 2009) Blue Ridge Regional Hospital has recently been recognized as a top-ranked Community Value Five-Star Hospital by Cleverley + Associates for the fourth time. Only the top 20 percent of hospitals nationwide receive the Five-Star des...
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Federal Grant Will Help Watauga Opportunities Grow Its Medical Manufacturing Operation
(August 10, 2009) In a modest facility on Greenway Road in Boone, 92 High Country residents have a place to work, a place to learn and a place to socialize.Celebrating 35 years in the High Country in 2009, Watauga Opportunities, Inc. employs adult...
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Key City Furniture: Poised To Go Lean
(August 5, 2009) An 82-year-old, family-owned Wilkes County furniture company that employs 152 workers is getting some financial help from the federal government to sharpen its competitive edge.The N.C. Division of Workforce Development recently a...
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Four New Members Take Their Seats on the High Country Workforce Development Board
(July 27, 2009) The High Country Workforce Development Board welcomes the following new members, whose terms became effective July 2009. David Edwards represents Watauga County’s community-based organization seat as a representative of the Greater...
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Grant Opportunity: Training and Placement in Healthcare and Other High-Growth and Emerging Industries
(July 22, 2009) The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has announced a Solicitation for Grant Applications for the Health Care Sector and Other High Growth and Emerging Industries.Approximately $220 million in grant funds...
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Golden LEAF Extends Golden LEAF Opportunities for Work Deadline
(July 23, 2009) The Golden LEAF Foundation has extended its June 30, 2009 application deadline for the Golden LEAF Opportunities for Work (GLOW) program to August 7, 2009. Application materials are available on the Foundation's website. "At i...
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Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefit Increased August 1
(July 30, 2009) Qualified unemployed North Carolina workers will see an increase in the maximum weekly benefit amount paid by the state’s Employment Security Commission beginning next week.Each year, the ESC looks at wages paid throughout North Ca...
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June Unemployment in N.C. Down Slightly, Unemployment Benefits Claims Up
(July 17, 2009) June’s seasonally adjusted 11 percent unemployment rate in North Carolina showed a slight drop from May’s 11.1 percent, but the employment situation across the state remains challenging, and more than 240,000 North Carolinians are ...
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HCWDB Area Unemployment Rate Finally Lower Than NC; Five Counites See Decrease
(July 24, 2009) Friday, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates for June 2009. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows: Alleghany – 11.8% Ashe – 10.8% Avery – 8.9% Mitchell – 12.6% Watauga – 8.1% Wilkes – 1...
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Watauga County: Certified Entrepreneurial Community
On May 21, 2009, representatives of AdvantageWest, including AdvantageWest President and CEO Scott Hamilton, came to the Appalachian Enterprise Center in Boone to present Watauga County with its Certified Entrepreneurial Community designation. Wat...
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See What We’ve Been Doing—New Status Updates Posted July 2
(July 6, 2009) New status updates to the High Country Workforce Development Board's strategic plan have been added to the board's website at www.highcountrywdb.com. Here are selected highlights from the updates posted under each of the strategic p...
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Division of Workforce Development Approves Plan Modification for ARRA Funding
(July 7, 2009) The NC Division of Workforce Development has given final approval to the High Country Workforce Development Board's Plan Modification 3-A. The plan modification incorporates American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding into the bo...
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New County Unemployment Rates
(June 29, 2009) Friday, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates for May 2009. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows: Alleghany – 12.4% Ashe – 12.4% Avery – 9.4% Mitchell – 12.9% Watauga – 7.9% Wilkes – 13...
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N.C. Unemployment Rate Climbs To 11.1 Percent In May
(June 22, 2009) North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased to 11.1 percent in May, the highest on record for the state. According to statistics released on Friday, June 19, by the N.C. Employment Security Commission, the state's unemployment rat...
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High Country Workforce Development Board Launches RecoveryInTheHighCountry.com
(June 19, 2009) The latest product of the High Country Workforce Development Board is RecoveryInTheHighCountry.com, the only local recovery-focused website in the state.A link to the site has been posted at the High Country Workforce Development B...
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WorkPath Website Promotes Career Readiness Certificate
(June 23, 2009) Wilkes Commmunity College has launched a new website promoting the Career Readiness Certificate for residents of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties who are unemployed, underemployed, or want to advance in their current jobs. The ...
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Well Done, Carole!
(June 15, 2009) Carole Coates, Director of the High Country Workforce Development Board, has graduated from North Carolina’s inaugural Workforce Development Leadership Academy. The year-long course addressed leadership concepts, strength-based man...
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Minimum Wage Increases July 24, 2009
(June 15, 2009) The minimum wage in North Carolina is currently $6.55 an hour, but on July 24, 2009, minimum wage increases to $7.25 per hour.Since 2007, the federal minimum wage rate has increased every year, but the percentage increase was highe...
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Federal Training Grant Helps Local Business Increase Sales by $2 Million
(June 15, 2009) Just south of Wilkesboro in Moravian Falls is an operation that defies a number of widely held assumptions about North Carolina business during the worst economic recession in decades: manufacturing in the state is dead; small busi...
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Boone Chamber of Commerce Requests Input from Business Owners
(June 15, 2009) North Carolina is dealing with record-high unemployment numbers and budget short-falls. At the same time, small businesses are facing great challenges to keep their doors open. The North Carolina Legislature and the North Carolina ...
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New High Country Unemployment Rates Released
(May 29, 2009) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates for April 2009. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows: Alleghany – 12.2% Ashe – 12.7% Avery – 10.2% Mitchell – 13.2% Watauga – 7.5% Wilkes – 1...
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Wilkes JobLink Participates in Business Expo
(June 5, 2009) Partners from the Wilkes County JobLink Career Center took turns staffing the JobLink booth at the Wilkes County Business Expo on June 3.Vocational Rehabilitation counselor Angela McCormick staffed the booth during the 2:00 p.m. hou...
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U.S. Census Bureau Recruiting for Six Managerial Positions in Boone
(May 20, 2009) The U.S. Census Bureau is gearing up for 2010 and is currently advertising for six managerial positions for a regional office in Boone. Citizens residing in Watauga, Ashe, Avery and Caldwell counties are eligible to apply.In additio...
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Workforce Investment Act Plan Modification Addresses Recovery Act Funding
(May 27, 2009) The High Country Workforce Investment Act Plan Modification 3-A for the current program year is available for review. The plan modification addresses the local use of funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, d...
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State Unemployment Rate Holds Steady in April
(May 27, 2009) North Carolina’s unemployment rate in April of 10.8 percent is unchanged from March’s rate, according to statistics released on May 22, 2009 by the N.C. Employment Security Commission. The current state unemployment rate is almost d...
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May Is National Workforce Development Professionals Month
(May 6, 2009) Every day in the High Country, hundreds of public service professionals perform essential functions that are often well under the radar of public perception. These folks contribute immeasurably to our local communities even though th...
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BIG Idea Summit June 4
(May 20, 2009) The High Country Workforce Development Board is facilitating a regionwide summit to brainstorm grant ideas that could qualify for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.The meeting will be held Thursday, June 4, from 9:30 to 1...
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WIA Participant Wins Prestigious Community College Award
(May 12, 2009) Randall Fender, a client of Workforce Investment Act Career Development Facilitator Donna Kelly in Yancey County, is an Academic Excellence Award winner from Mayland Community College.Every spring, each of the 58 community colleges ...
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Start Your Own Business Workshops in Ashe County Begin May 19
(May 11, 2009) The ASU Center for Entrepreneurship, Wilkes Community College, Ashe County Economic Development Commission and Chamber of Commerce, and Ashe County businesspeople and service providers can help potential entrepreneurs gain basic man...
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Perdue Recommends ARC Funding for Several High Country Projects
(May 11, 2009) Governor Bev Perdue today announced 16 community and regional western North Carolina projects she will recommend to receive a total of $4 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission. Several High Country counties are included ...
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Public Comment Period is Open for State Energy Program
(May 7, 2009) Through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to North Carolina’s State Energy Program, the state has set goals to significantly increase its investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy in the public and private se...
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Wilkes, Mitchell Counties To Benefit from Golden LEAF Funds
(May 7, 2009) Within the coming months, residents of Wilkes and Mitchell counties will have the opportunity to help decide how to spend four million dollars.Each county will receive a $2 million Golden LEAF Community Assistance Initiative grant af...
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Current FAFSA Application Asks About Dislocated Workers
(May 7, 2009) On the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the U.S. government has connected the dots between adult workers who have lost their jobs and their need—or their children’s need—for educational financial aid.Everyone who app...
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Business Creation Increased in 2008, Despite Recession
(May 11, 2009) A report by the Kauffman Foundation finds that new business formation increased in the United States in 2008.The number of business startups increased across most states, except in the Midwest, and the entrepreneurial activity rate ...
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New Updated Unemployment Rates
(April 24, 2009) Today, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates for March 2009. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows: Alleghany – 14.1% Ashe – 13.3% Avery – 9.9% Mitchell – 13.8% Watauga – 7.9% Wilkes – ...
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Workforce Development Plan Modification Available for Comment
(April 23, 2009) The High Country Workforce Development Area Program Modification Number 4, covering program year July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010, is available for comment through Wednesday, April 29, 2009. Submitted by the High Country Workfor...
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Report Details Board’s Progress on Strategic Plan Goals
(April 22,2009) The High Country Workforce Development Board has made significant progress toward achieving the following goals in the board's three-year strategic plan:Develop strategies which supply a qualified workforce to target industry secto...
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Job Search Toolkit Provides Great Resources for Job Seekers
(April 16, 2009) Monthly unemployment statistics from the NC Employment Security Commission tell only a tiny part of the story of this economic recession. The bigger story—the truer story—is that each number that goes into making up every county's...
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HCWDB Stimulus Funding - Updated Website
April 7, 2009As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) signed into law by the President on February 17, 2009, the High Country Workforce Development Consortium is the recipient of approximately $1.75 million to assist those indi...
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Get REAL Youth Participants Receive Career Readiness Certificate
April 17, 2009The North Carolina Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) is a portable credential that is based on the nationally recognized system of WorkKeys ® assessments that test an individual’s competence in Reading, Applied Math, and Locating In...
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Summer Youth Program Applicant Information
April 3, 2009The intent of ARRA youth funding is to create summer employment opportunities under the guidelines of the Workforce Investment Act. Get REAL Youth Services places youth in summer jobs while building career readiness skills. Services a...
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Congratulations to Wilkes JobLink!!
April 1, 2009Congratulations to the Wilkes County JobLink Career Center on meeting state established standards for a Level I Charter from the NC Commission on Workforce Development and the Division of Workforce Development. Wilkes JobLink has been...
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High Country Unemployment Rate Information - Updated April 1, 2009
April 1, 2009On April 1, 2009, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates for February 2009. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows:Alleghany – 15.3%Ashe – 14.8%Avery – 10.7%Mitchell – 15.0%Watauga – 8.6%Wilk...
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High Country WDB Staff Attend National Association of Workforce Boards Forum
March 16, 2009Carole Coates, Board Director, and Don Sherrill, Operations Director, have just returned from the thirtieth anniversary meeting of the National Association of Workforce Boards, held in Washington, DC. Workforce Investment Act stimulu...
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High Country Receives Stimulus Funds for Workforce Development
March 19, 2009As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, the High Country Workforce Development Consortium is the recipient of approximately $1.75 million to assist those i...
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Incumbent Worker Training Grant Awarded
March 9, 2009On February 26, 2009 the NC Commission on Workforce Development announced that Southern Industrial in Ashe County has been awarded a grant to train its current workforce with federal Workforce Investment Act funds. The High Country Wo...
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High Country Unemployment Rate Information - Updated March 19, 2009
March 19, 2009On March 19, 2009, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates for January 2009. The information for the HCWDB region is as follows:Alleghany – 14.7%Ashe – 13.5%Avery – 10.1%Mitchell – 14.0%Watauga – 8.1%Wil...
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High Country Workforce Development Board Recognized as a High-Performing Workforce Development Board
February 27, 2009The High Country Workforce Development Board was recently recognized as a High-Performing Workforce Development Board by the North Carolina Workforce Development Commission. The Commission, whose goal is to establish and guide a w...
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High Country Workforce Development Board Staff Receive Certification
February 27, 2009Workforce Development Staff Misty Bishop-Price, Jennifer Bumgarner, and Teri Carter recently completed their Career Development Facilitator training following curriculum developed by the National Career Development Association. Co...
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Helpful Websites for Job-Seeking and Job Survival
February 27, 2009You can find literally thousands of sites on the internet that offer tips to people who are looking for work, choosing a career, or who just want to improve their chances of keeping their current jobs. It can be overwhelming to so...
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Interactive Job Growth Map - Updated
February 27, 2009(The Job Growth Map at USA Today.com has been updated as of February 18th, 2009).Moody's Economy.com, an economic consulting firm, has completed a national job growth forecast by geographic region and industry. The actual job grow...
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High Country Workforce Development Board Hosts Energy Forum
February 23, 2009The High Country Workforce Development Board hosted an energy issues community forum Tuesday, February 17, 2009 in conjunction with the Southern Growth Policies Board (SGPB). The forum, “The Future of Southern Energy: Making Choic...
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High Country Workforce Board Issues Solicitation for Letter(s) of Intent
February 2, 2009High Country Workforce Development Board issues Solicitation for Letter(s) of Intent to Bid on Workforce Investment Act Adult and Dislocated Worker Services and Workforce Investment Act Follow-Up Services. Documents regarding this ...
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Proposed Legislation Requires NC Employers to Use E-Verify Program
February 16, 2009A newly proposed regulation introduced in the North Carolina Senate would require all employers in the state to use the federal E-verify program to verify the immigration status of all new hires. The proposed bill, which was intro...
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WIRED Presentation at February 12 WDB Meeting
February 16, 2009Theresa Reynolds, Senior Vice President and WIRED Manager with the Piedmont Triad Economic Development Partnership was the special guest presenter at the February 12, 2009 Workforce Development Board meeting. The focus of the pres...
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HCWDB to Host Community Forum on Energy
February 9, 2009The High Country Workforce Development Board in partnership with the Southern Growth Policies Board has invited a group of community representatives to participate in a Community Forum on the future of energy in the South on Februa...
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February WDB Meeting to Feature WIRED
February 9, 2009Theresa Reynolds, Sr. Vice-President and WIRED Project Manager for the Piedmont-Triad Economic Development Partnership, is the featured speaker at the February 12, 2009 High Country Workforce Development Board meeting. WIRED (Workf...
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INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
February 2, 2009Please note that if weather conditions require cancellation for any afternoon meeting, an announcement will appear in "Headline Articles" at www.highcountrywdb.com by 10 AM on the meeting day. In addition, for any morning...
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Workforce Development Consortium Names New Chief Elected Official
February 2, 2009Walter Savage, Chairman of the Yancey County Commissioners, was elected as the High Country Workforce Development Consortium at the Consortium’s January 29, 2009, meeting. The Consortium, which consists of the Chairs of the seven C...
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NC Sustainable Energy Forum Held in Raleigh
February 5, 2009The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association held a one-day "Making Energy Work" Forum at the Raleigh Convention Center on February 3rd. The forum was well attended by participants from throughout the Southeast US. H...
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High Country Unemployment Rates - Updated
February 2, 2009On January 30, the NC Employment Security Commission released the unemployment rates for December 2008. the information for the HCWDB region is as follows:Alleghany - 10.2%Ashe - 10.1%Avery - 7.6%Mitchell - 9.4%Watauga - 5.7%Wilkes...
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Workforce Consortium Meeting Scheduled for January 29, 2009
January 22, 2009A special meeting of the High Country Workforce Development Consortium will be held January 29, 2009 at Casa Rustica Restaurant following a 6:30 pm dinner for members. The Consortium is comprised of the Chairs of the region's seven...
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High-Performing Board Standards Review
January 9, 2009In a continuous quality improvement effort, the North Carolina Commission on Workforce Development has initiated a process to evaluate the performance of the state’s twenty-four Workforce Development Boards. The High-Performing Boar...
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Career Connections Grand Opening in Wilkesboro
January 8, 2009On January 8, 2009, the new Goodwill Career Connections hosted a grand opening and ribbon cutting from 11am until 1pm at its new location in North Wilkesboro at 1821 Highway 421(the former location of its retail store in the K-Mart ...
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Appalachian Students Win National Entrepreneurial Contest
January 7, 2009Four Appalachian State University students have won the first national Juicy Ideas Entrepreneurial/Environmental Contest. The competition requires college students from across the country to create something of value out of somethin...
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Appalachian Enterprise Center to Hold Small Business Financing Forum
January 8, 2009The Appalachian Enterprise Center (AEC) will host a Small Business Financing Forum in Boone on Wednesday, January 21 from 10am until 11:30am. Various western NC lenders, including the Small Business Administration and Self-Help Cred...
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OnTrack: Financial Education and Counseling
December 31, 2008OnTrack (financial education & counseling and formerly Consumer Credit Counseling) has a Home Protection Program/Loan Fund. The Home Protection Program provides interest-free, deferred loans to prevent home foreclosures to anyone ...
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Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Closing
December 18, 2008Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Company has announced the closure of its Elkin furniture plant. The business, which currently employs approximately 400 workers, is scheduled to cease operations at the end of January. The NC Division of ...
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CFNC Training in Workforce Development
December 18, 2008The Youth Council of the High Country Workforce Development Board hosted a three-hour training on the College Foundation of NC (CFNC) in Workforce Development on December 15th. Attendees represented Workforce Investment Act Get RE...
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Dr. Helen Parker, USDOL, Visits the High Country
December 17, 2008The High Country Workforce Development Board held its regular board meeting on Thursday, December 11th. The meeting featured a special segment called "Innovation in Action" that was presented in a "Live With Regis a...
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Watauga JobLink Welcomes New ESC Manager
December 5, 2008The High Country Workforce Development Board and the Watauga JobLink would like to welcome the new manager for the Employment Security Commission (ESC), Dawn Boyer. Dawn has been with ESC for ten years and most recently was the Une...
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HCWDB Performance Measures Highlights
December 5, 2008Encouraging efficient, effective use of the workforce system through an increase in awareness of system services is one of the measures of the High Country Workforce Development Board’s 2008-2011 Strategic Plan Update. This measure...
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Workforce Development Board Youth Council hosts CFNC Training
December 8, 2008The High Country Workforce Development Board's Youth Council is hosting a training session on the College Foundation of North Carolina that is open to those that assist the emerging workforce with career planning and counseling. Tr...
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Future Forward Workforce Alliance Sponsors Multi-Region Event
November 26, 2008The Future Forward Workforce Alliance sponsored a multi-region dialogue on improving demand-driven workforce services on November 12. The meeting, which was held in Hickory, drew forty-five individuals from across the fifteen-coun...
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Ashe Industry Appreciation Luncheon
November 26, 2008An Industry Appreciation Luncheon was held in Ashe County at Jefferson Landing on November 18, 2008 sponsored by the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, Ashe County Government, and the Town of West Jefferson. Ashe County industries w...
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Train Your Workers!
November 10, 2008Does Your Company Have A Need to Enhance Current Employee Skills and Training?The Incumbent Worker Program provides funding to established North Carolina businesses to provide educational and skills training for current workers. D...
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NC Workforce Development Partnership Conference
November 10, 2008The NC Commission on Workforce Development held its annual Partnership Conference October 22-24, 2008 at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. This year's theme "North Carolina's Talent Pipeline: Linking Worker...
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Workforce Challenges Presentation Now Available on WDB Website
October 15, 2008A copy of the Workforce Challenges Power Point presentation which was given to the High Country Workforce Development Board at its October meeting is now available on the Board’s website. It can be accessed by visiting the “Publica...
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Local Business Featured in State Report
October 10, 2008Brushy Mountain Bee Farm of Moravian Falls in Wilkes County is featured in the NC Division of Workforce Development’s 2007 Annual Workforce Investment Act Report. Brushy Mountain was the recipient of an Incumbent Worker Grant Award...
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New Faces for High Country Workforce Development Board
October 1, 2008Charley Nash, Fonda Harris, and John Brubaker are the newest members of the High Country Workforce Development Board. With their backgrounds in the health care industry, Nash, a dentist from Bakersville, and Harris, Director of Huma...
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2nd Annual Ashe County Job Fair
October 2, 2008On Tuesday September 23 the second annual Ashe County Job Fair was held in the gymnasium of Ashe Family Central sponsored by the Ashe County JobLink, Ashe County, Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, Wilkes Community College, goAshe.com...
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High Country Workforce Programs Achieve Federal Performance Measures
October 10, 2008All High Country Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Programs met their federally mandated performance measures for the program year that ended June 30, 2008. These locally administered workforce programs have met or exceeded their perf...
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HCWDB Award-Winning Leadership
September 24, 2008Earl Tipton was recently selected by his peers as the High Country Workforce Development Board’s Outstanding Member. The award was presented at the High Country Council of Governments’ annual banquet, which was held Friday, Septe...
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High Country Regional Unemployment Rate Highest in Five Years
September 17, 2008The release of the July 2008 unemployment rates by the Employment Security Commission not only showed an increase over recent months in most counties; a review of unemployment rates for the state, region, and individual counties ...
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High Country Graduation Rates and Adequate Yearly Progress Measurement
September 4, 2008The North Carolina Board of Education has announced its preliminary 2007-2008 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) performance for all North Carolina schools. The AYP is part of the federal No Child Left Behind requirement. The stated g...
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Taking the Pulse of the Region’s Allied Health Careers
August 26, 2008On Wednesday, August 20, a multi-regional Allied Health Forum was held at the Broyhill Center in Lenoir. The summit was the outgrowth of an Allied Health Careers Regional Skills Planning Grant which had been awarded to a consortium ...
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No Youth Council Meeting in September
The High Country Workforce Development Board Youth Council will not meet in September. However, the Request for Proposals work group will meet on Friday, September 26 at 2:00pm at the High Country Council of Governments.
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Build Your Community Network Event a Success!
August 18, 2008Forty participants from faith-based, community-based, workforce development, education, chambers of commerce, and economic development crowded the meeting room of the Appalachian Enterprise Center on Tuesday, August 12 for the a com...
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Will the New Minimum Wage Help?
The NC Budget and Tax Center recently completed a study which determined that the average family with children in North Carolina needs to earn $41, 184 to afford the market prices of basics such as food, housing, and transportation; therefore, the...
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Growth in Manufacturing?
The NC Employment Security Commission's "Insight: North Carolina's Labor and Economic Outlook Winter 2008" newsletter, reported that traditional textile and furniture manufacturing in NC is is being taken over primarily by food manufactu...
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NC Rural Center Drop Out Roundtable
The North Carolina Rural Center hosted a half-day event in Raleigh on June 6th to discuss approaches to the state's drop out problem that accounts for 23, 550 students dropping out of school each year. Misty Bishop-Price, HCWDB's Youth Systems Man...
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High Country Workforce Board Director Selected for Academy
Carole Coates, Director of the High Country Workforce Development Board, has been selected for participation in the state’s first Leadership Academy for the workforce development system. Ten directors from across the state will participate in the ...
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PLANS CONTINUE FOR NETWORKING EVENT
Plans continue for the "Build Your Community Network" event to be held Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at the Appalachian Enterprise Center in Boone from 10:00am until 3:00pm. The event will allow faith-based and community-based organizations t...
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HIGH COUNTRY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
Several new members have recently been appointed to the High Country Workforce Development Board. Tom Hughes, Jake Blood, Joallen Lowder, Stacy Sears, and Dwayne Howell, have joined the Board in recent months. In addition, Eddie Reeves and Sherry ...
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HIGH COUNTRY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD ELECTS OFFICERS
At its June 12, 2008 meeting, the High Country Workforce Development Board elected officers for the Program Year 2008 term (July 2008-June 2009). Chair is Earl Tipton, Vice-President, Young and McQueen Grading Company, Burnsville, NC. Maria Cunnin...
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AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGES FORM REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP
The recent President’s Report from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute announced a partnership between Caldwell, Catawba Valley, and Western Piedmont Community Colleges that will mean greater opportunities for higher education. The ...
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One-Third of NC Working Families Are Low-Income
The NC Justice Center has recently released the report, Making Ends Meet on Low Wages: The 2008 North Carolina Living Income Standard. According to the report, the number of families in North Carolina that earn low incomes has increased since 2000...
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Nominations for 2008 Governor's Awards for Excellance in Workforce Development
The North Carolina Division of Workforce Development has announced nomination procedures and deadlines for the 2008 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Workforce Development and for the Wayne Daves Award for Outstanding Achievement in Workforce De...
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May is National Workforce Development Professionals Month
May is National Workforce Development Professionals Month. This month-long event recognized the role that workforce development professionals perform each and every day in support of the profession’s commitment to excellence through superior custo...
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Availability of Request For Proposals for Follow-Up Services
High Country Council of Governments Workforce Development Department is now accepting proposals for the operation of Follow-Up Services to Adult and Dislocated Worker Training Programs under the Workforce Investment Act in Alleghany, Ashe and Wilk...
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HIGH COUNTRY WDB PRESENTS BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
The April meeting of the High Country Workforce Development Board featured a presentation on future and current workforce needs in the biotechnology industry. Cheryl McMurry, Director of the Western Biotechnology Center in Asheville, presented the...
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HIGH COUNTRY PARTICIPATES IN NC EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ASSOCATION CONFERENCE
The High Country Workforce Development region was well-represented in leadership roles at the forty-first annual conference of the NC Employment and Training Association (NCETA) in Asheville in April. Ruby Greene, Systems Manager, serves as Secret...
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AREA BUSINESS AWARDED GRANT
Hospitality Mints has become the twenty-seventh recipient of an Incumbent Worker Training Grant in the High Country Region. The grants are awarded by the NC Commission on Workforce Development using Workforce Investment Act funds. The grants, whic...
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High Country WDB to Participate in Networking Grant
Performance Excellence Partners Network has awarded a $9,000 grant to a consortium of six workforce development boards to conduct two community network events. Centralina, Regional Consolidated, Pee Dee Regional, Gaston County, Northwest Piedmont,...
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HCWDB Sponsors EO Training
High Country Workforce Development Board staff and Workforce Investment Act contractors participated in a three-hour training session on Equal Opportunity in late March. The HC WDB staff arranged the training which was held at the High Country Cou...
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Workforce System Responds to Tyson Foods Lay-off
When Wilkes County’s Tyson Foods plant announced a major lay-off of approximately 400 individuals, the region’s public workforce system went into overdrive. Staff of the Wilkes JobLink met with local government officials the day the lay-off was an...
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Initial Meeting for Future Forward Workforce Alliance
The first inter-board meeting of four boards concerned with shared workforce and economic issues was held March 4, 2008, in Hickory. High Country, Region C, and Western Piedmont Workforce Development Boards participated in the meeting along with A...
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Watch Local Residents on WRAL-TV
WRAL-TV’s Focal Point: The Other North Carolina aired Thursday, February 28. The program discusses the challenges faced by rural North Carolina as the state’s economy has transformed. Mitchell County, Mayland Community College, and dislocated work...
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HC WDB Represented at National Workforce Forum
Two members of the High Country Workforce Development Board, accompanied by two Board staff, attended the 2008 National Association of Workforce Boards Forum in Washington, DC, February 24-26. Jim Halsey, Jennie Harpold, Carole Coates, and Ruby Gr...
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Workforce Development Board Changes
The High Country Workforce Development Board has had some recent Board member changes. A special word of welcome to Dwayne Howell, HR Manager for Gates Corporation in West Jefferson, who attended his first Workforce Board meeting in December and r...
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Annual Alfred Adams Leadership Awards
The annual Alfred Adams Leadership Awards Luncheon was held February 14, 2008 at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center in Boone. The yearly event is sponsored by the Watauga County JobLink Career Center and Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and pres...
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Workforce Development Staff Changes
The High Country Workforce Development Department is pleased to announce the addition of Mary Ann Urka to its staff. Mary Ann, who came on board January 22, 2008, has accepted the position of Workforce Development Program Assistant. Her varied dut...
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Mitchell County and MCC Featured in TV Documentary
A documentary created by WRAL-TV’s Focal Point will examine how rural communities in the state are coping with the dramatic economic changes they are facing. Mitchell County and Mayland Community College will be featured in this documentary. Other...
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Extreme Entrepreneur Tour Comes to ASU
The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour is coming to ASU on February 29, 2008 as a part of National Entrepreneurship Week from 3:00pm-7:00pm at the Valborg Theatre. The event is free of charge and open to anyone in the community who is interested in wor...
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Brushy Mountain Bee Farm Receives Award
Wilkes County’s Brushy Mountain Bee Farm has one of twenty-three incumbent worker training grants awarded by the High Country Workforce Development Board and the NC Commission on Workforce Development. Brushy Mountain Bee Farm recently received an...
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HC WDB Receives National Workforce Alliance Award
The National Workforce Association has given High Country Workforce Board its Award for Excellence for innovative strategies in the delivery of business services to employers. The award was based on the High Country Workforce Development Board’s i...
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» Upcoming Events
High Country Workforce Development Board meeting
Thursday, February 9, 2012
3:00 pm
High Country Council of Governments
Business Services Committee
Thursday, March 8, 2012
10:30 am
High Country Council of Governments
HCWDB Member Lunch & Learn
Thursday, March 8, 2012
12 noon
High Country Council of Governments
JobLink Services Committee
Thursday, March 8, 2012
10:30 am
High Country Council of Governments
Youth Council
Thursday, March 8, 2012
1:00 pm
High Country Council of Governments
Executive Committee
Thursday, April 5, 2012
4:00 pm
Teleconference
High Country Workforce Development Board meeting
Thursday, April 12, 2012
3:00 pm
High Country Council of Governments
Business Services Committee
Thursday, May 10, 2012
10:30 am
High Country Council of Governments
HCWDB Member Lunch & Learn
Thursday, May 10, 2012
12 noon
High Country Council of Governments
JobLink Services Committee
Thursday, May 10, 2012
10:30 am
High Country Council of Governments
Youth Council
Thursday, May 10, 2012
1:00 pm
High Country Council of Governments
Executive Committee
Thursday, June 7, 2012
4:00 pm
Teleconference
High Country Workforce Development Board meeting
Thursday, June 14, 2012
3:00 pm
High Country Council of Governments
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