Eastern Region Workforce Innovations Network Forum

Event Highlights Region's Industry Clusters and Successful Programs

On November 21, the  first Workforce Innovations Network (WIN) Forum was held at the Transpark Training Center in Kinston.    The Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board planned the event in partnership with North Carolina's Eastern Region, Turning Point, and Region Q Workforce Development Boards.

The Forum began with a presentation by Al Delia, President/CEO of North Carolina's Eastern Region. Delia provided an overview of the economic development activities occurring within the 13-county region, stressing the importance of a highly skilled workforce in today's competitive, global economy.  Delia announced that the NC Eastern Region has invested $750,000 over three years in support of a Work Keys pilot partnership with the local Boards, Community Colleges, and Public Schools.

The Forum provided an opportunity to learn from business leaders identified in the Region's selected high growth industry clusters. The business panel was facilitated by ECWDB Board Chair Mona Padrick. The business panelists included Arenda Battle, Human Resources Director, University Health Care Systems, Heritage Hospital representing the Health Care Sector; Mike Gwynn, Manager, Public Affairs, PCS Phosphate, representing the Advanced Manufacturing Sector; Mike Bradley, Small Business & Technology Development Center Program Director, NC Boating Services representing the Marine Trades Sector;  and  Steve Wangerin, CEO, W.T. Humprey, Inc. representing the Construction/Skilled Trades Sector. The panelists discussed their current and future workforce needs and challenges.

In response, local educators had the opportunity to highlight innovations and successes that are occurring in public education across the region.   Presentations showcased the Craven County Schools 2+2 Early College Program; the Wayne County Schools Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) school; the Wilson County Schools Apprenticeship Programs; the  Lenoir Community College's Mobile Industrial Training Lab & Healthcare Connection; the Onslow County Schools Skilled Trades  Initiative; and the Wayne Community College's WORKS Work Keys/CRC initiative. BSH Home Appliances then closed the Forum with a presentation that tied it all together by highlighting the successful BSH public education/private sector apprenticeship model partnership with Craven County Schools and Craven Community College.

These efforts provide only  a hint of  the    workforce  development  initiatives that are occurring in Eastern North Carolina to ensure a skilled and trained workforce prepared to compete in a global economy.

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Updated: March 10, 2009

The Eastern Region Wokforce Innovations Network is a Collaborative Project of the following Economic and Workforce Development Organizations: