NCWorks opens for business

By Michelle T. Bernard, O-N-E Reporter

"Today we celebrate more than an innovative, professional career center - we also celebrate the ability to offer expanded workforce services and resources to the community," Wendy Johnson, Director of Workforce Development of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments said.  "The center showcases a first-class facility where new business recruitment and retention conversations can start and can prosper."

The Workforce Development of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments held its ribbon cutting on Monday for their new NCWorks Career Center at Conover Station.

"We must fill the over 3,000 job vacancies that we have here in Catawba county," Conover Mayor Lee Moritz, Jr. said.  "Catawba Valley Community College with their Manufacturing Academy, Furniture Academy, internships, apprenticeships, STEM tours - all those things we are doing makes a difference and will dovetail perfectly into what Wendy is trying to do here at NCWorks."

The NCWorks office is set up so that potential employees can come into one side of the space to speak to counselors about their skills and education.  The counselors will then attempt to match the employee with a potential employer.  Services such as resume writing and interviewing skills will be offered at the center.  There will also be options for potential employees to take classes to obtain new skills to make them more attractive to employers.  

The other side of the space is for potential employers to meet with NCWorks staff to let them know their needs and requirements for employees.

NCWorks Career Center of Catawba County is located at 403 Conover Station, SE Suite C in Conover.  The telephone number is 828-466-5535.  The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p. m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.