NCWorks Career Center-Cabarrus: Changing Lives through the Power of Employment and Community Outreach Centralina WDB Opens New Center in Concord

"One declaration I’m excited to share with you is,this is no longer the unemployment office,this is the NCWorks Career Center,it’s a Career Center where people come to get assistance with their careers and it’s where employers come to find people to fill their jobs," said Will Collins,Assistant Secretary of NC Commerce during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new NCWorks Career Center-Cabarrus.

As Mr. Collins made this meaningful statement on Tuesday October 20,2015,the crowd filled with nearly 100 people cheered with jubilance." There was an overwhelming amount of joy which filled the walls of 845 Church St. North,Suite 201 in Concord." Immediately as guests walked through the doors of the newest Center powered by the Centralina Workforce Development Board, people were in awe not only because of the tremendous turnout which ranged from government officials,partner agencies,employers,and community resident but also because of the alluring infrastructure of the new facility.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board,which is responsible for the oversight and operation of local NCWorks Career Centers,has developed a vision and plan of action for upgrading Career Center facilities and changing the service environment." The NCWorks Career Center-Cabarrus is the latest example of this "new day for workforce services" that started in the region with the opening of the new NCWorks Career Center in Mooresville earlier this year.

"The change from the old facility to the new facility is extraordinary." To me,the way the set-up is,the one-on-one attention,and just the overall environment is hands down 100 percent better than the old facility," said Howard Hoyle,with HHJ Construction,Inc.

The event was filled with prominent leaders across the state and around the Cabarrus County community." This included Centralina WDB members Tracie Brunt (S & D Coffee – Concord),Mike Beaver (Beaver Brothers,Inc. – Salisbury),and Mary Ann Rasberry (Alliance for Children – Monroe).

Guest speakers for the Ribbon Cutting ceremony included:

Chris Carter-Deputy Chief of Staff for the U.S. Representative Richard Hudson

Will Collins- Assistant Secretary of NC Commerce

Steve Morris-Chairman for Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners

Ryan Dayvault-Mayor Pro Tem for Kannapolis

Paige Jordan-Representative for the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce

The new Center is interactive and shows an immediate response to all job seekers and employer’s needs." Customers not only have the opportunity to be in the new location,but also touch and feel the new modern day furniture,up-to-date technology,and see new employers coming in each week." The NCWorks Career Center-Cabarrus has two conference rooms and enclosed offices for employers to interview individuals one-on one.

""It hasn’t been just a change in environment but a change of processes,change of employees,and a new way of serving our customers," said Gary Mason,Center Leader for the NCWorks Career Center-Cabarrus." "We’re getting good feedback and they’re saying they don’t feel like it’s the same place,everything is new." Its new technology and new employers coming in as well." It’s our fresh start for not only us,but the entire Cabarrus County." "

Mason mentioned during the ceremony that since the Center opened,an increased number of employers have utilize the space." In fact,Amazon recently hosted a job fair at the Center for 800 positions." Over 300 job seekers attended the event and 160 individuals were hired on the spot."

"We’re bringing people in front of employers and bridging that gap between the two and that’s my goal,which is to change what workforce looks like for Cabarrus County," Mason said.

At the event a host of job seekers and employers had plenty to say regarding the appearance of the new Center and the services offered.

"Since this facility opened up it changed my whole attitude," said Tina Hatley,job seeker at the NCWorks Career Center-Cabarrus. "The people are very pleasant,full of energy,and their energy bounces off to you because they let you know that you can succeed." That’s the one thing I needed to hear,and I’ve heard it here more than I’ve heard it anywhere else."

The Center staff mentioned words like thoughtful,compassionate,relative,and heartwarming as words to describe the experience they will continue to give customers who come into the NCWorks Career Center-Cabarrus." "

"This Center is a huge step in the right direction," said Chris Carter,Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman Richard Hudson. "I commend everyone here for working as a family in efforts to continue to rebuild this economy.""

As one exits the NCWorks Career Center-Cabarrus they will see two words mounted on the walls of the new facility,which will forever bring the whole county together,and it’s "Team Cabarrus"." "

A big thank you to all the members of Team Cabarrus at the NCWorks Career Center for their dedicated work with employers and career seekers every day." Special thanks to NCWorks Project Manager Tammy Underwood and her staff with Centralina Workforce Services in making the Board’s vision for a new center a reality in Concord.

For more information regarding the NCWorks Career Center-Cabarrus,contact Center Leader Gary Mason at gary.mason@rescare.com or by calling (704) 786-3183.

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Tags: Centralina WDB News