Free services available include career and personal assessments, employment readiness preparation, short-term skills training, job placement assistance, résumé preparation and career counseling. Additional services include:

Career Planning and Development

Identify skills training, education needed for employment in the local labor market.

Connection to High School Completion and GED

Connect to the classes needed to get your high school diploma.

Connection to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Learn about training assistance available for adults, dislocated workers and out-of-school youth.

Job Listings

Employers list jobs directly with us.

Job Search Assistance

Explore your career options in the current labor market.

Job Search and Life Skills Classes

Classes to help individuals manage personal barriers to employment and find and keep jobs.

Occupational Skills Training for a Specific Career

Referrals to specific training programs available for the local labor market.

Résumé Preparation

Prepare a professional résumé through available software, workshops or staff assistance.

Skills Assessments

Evaluate your employment abilities, interests and basic skills.

Support Services

Help individuals find assistance with transportation or other challenges that could affect their success in a job.

Businesses can access applicant résumé and referrals, review labor market information and on-the-job training programs, receive prescreened applications, utilize space for interviewing job applicants and receive employment and training services customized to their needs. Additional services for employers include:

Access to Training Programs for Employees

Training can be provided for prospective or current employees.

Connection to the On-the-Job Training (OJT) program

Receive incentives for training eligible new employees.

Dislocated Worker Services

Help your dislocated employees find their next job or training.

Employee Recruitment

Receive assistance with specialized hiring efforts, and get connected with qualified people looking for new employment opportunities.

Employee Retention

Develop plans to keep your employees.

Job Listings

Post your job openings with us.

Rapid Response to Layoffs/Plant Closings

Contact us for confidential consultations.

Research Materials on Labor and Industry Trends

Get access to the latest information about industries, training programs and labor trends.

Screening and Interviewing of Job Candidates

Have your applicants screened and interviewed by our qualified staff.

Skills Testing of Job Candidates

Applicants or current employees can receive skills testing.

Tax Credit and Hiring Incentive Information

Learn about programs that can help you with your hiring needs.

Workplace Literacy Training

On-site literacy programs help your employees improve their skills without missing work.

Youth Services and Outreach

Provide internship or apprenticeship opportunities for young people in our region.

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA)

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is the nation’s principal workforce development legislation, providing funds to address the employment and training needs of dislocated workers, and low-income adults and youth.

Funding for WIOA comes from the U.S. Department of Labor and is administered by the N.C. Division of Workforce Development and the Cape Fear Council of Governments for Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender Counties.

WIOA provides support to participants to increase their education, training, employment, earnings and job retention. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the nation.

Primary consideration for enrollment is given based on individual work history, current education and skill levels as well as abilities to fully complete and benefit from a short-term (up to two years) vocational training program in an occupation, based on the local labor market.

If you qualify and are accepted for enrollment in WIOA, our trained career advisors will:

• Assist you with developing an individual employment plan
• Assist you with financial assistance to help pay for your training program
• Help you access support services from the NCWorks partners and other community agencies

HOW TO APPLY FOR WIOA

You must apply for WIOA in the county where you live. For Columbus County, you should apply at the Columbus County NCWorks Career Center, located in A-Building at Southeastern Community College.

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING (OJT) PROGRAM

The OJT program, funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, provides incentives for business to help defray the cost of training eligible new employees. The program also provides training opportunities in the local business community to adults and dislocated workers.

Services to the employers include:

• Screening aptitude and basic skills requirements
• Referral of eligible applicants
• Possible reimbursement of up to 75 percent of the training wage for a pre-determined period of time
• Follow-up services to help ensure completion of training and retention of the newly trained employee

NCWorks Career Center staff handles the majority of the paper work. For more information contact the center at (910) 788-6261

• Monday – Thursday — 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Friday — 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.