NC TechHire program launches at VGCC and three other colleges
Vance-Granville Community College and three partnering community colleges formally kicked off a new initiative on Aug. 30, made possible by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Labor that totals almost $4 million.
An event to launch the North Carolina TechHire Program was held at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville. JSCC is serving as the lead institution in the consortium of colleges, which includes VGCC, Alamance Community College and Halifax Community College. Attendees were welcomed by JSCC President Dr. Lawrence Rouse, who said that the purpose of TechHire is to help North Carolina residents “overcome barriers to employment.”
Each college will use its share of the grant funding for workforce development initiatives that meet the unique needs of the area it serves. The four colleges plan to train 400 people through the grant, between now and June 30, 2020.
During the Aug. 30 event, representatives of the colleges made remarks on how they plan to use the funding. Dr. Ken Lewis, VGCC’s vice president of institutional research and technology, spoke for his institution. “I want to thank Dr. Rouse for the invitation to join the NC TechHire Alliance and for hosting this event,” Dr. Lewis said. “Through TechHire, Vance-Granville will be offering certificates from our information technology and advanced manufacturing programs, including Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), automation and 3-D computer aided drafting. We’re excited to be able to help our students increase their ability to get jobs while also improving the economy of our communities.”
Lewis added that eligible students may receive support in the form of mentoring as well as financial assistance to help them pay for course fees, certification fees, tuition and other support costs. College officials are currently working on scheduling the first classes that would be part of the TechHire program. For more information on the program and eligibility, contact Ken Wilson at wilsonk@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3259.
Carla Byrnes, who chairs the Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board, congratulated the colleges on receiving the grant during the event in Kenansville. She said her organization partners with community colleges to address “skills gaps” and prepare candidates for the types of jobs that are going to be expanding. Jay Briley, CEO of Vidant Duplin Hospital, added that it was “great to see collaboration like this across North Carolina’s outstanding community college system, because we must invest in workforce development to have economic growth.”
The North Carolina TechHire Program was one of 39 innovative partnerships across the country that received a total of $150 million in the Department of Labor’s competitive TechHire grant program.
Vance County Sheriff’s Office Press Release: Multiple Drug Busts
Sheriff Peter White announces the following arrests by the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit:
Timothy Antonio Perry, Lot 12 Country Lane, Norlina NC
Age: 40
Charges: Possession with intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Maintaining a Vehicle for keeping and selling controlled substances, and Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia
Bond: $50,000
Court Date: 09/26/2016
Joseph Vincent Motto, 1265 David Avenue, Henderson NC
Age: 26
Charges: Possession of Heroin, and Maintaining a Vehicle resorted to persons using controlled substances
Bond: $25,000
Court Date: 09/26/2016
The Vance County Drug Enforcement Unit arrested the above individuals during community policing operations in the area of Vanco Mill Road and the South Pinkston Street area. The arrests resulted in seizures of Heroin and Marijuana.
Henderson PD Press Release: Shots Fired at Moving Vehicle on David Street
On August 25, 2016 at approximately 10:30 PM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to the area of 331 Corbitt Rd in reference to a motor vehicle that had been shot. Upon arrival, officers spoke to Jamersira Semaj Brodie, 22, of 331 Corbitt Rd, whose vehicle had been shot while traveling on David St.
The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
Henderson PD Press Release: Robbery at Dabney Drive Cruizers Store
On August 14, 2016 at approximately 4:10 PM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to the Magistrates Office in reference an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers found that a Ms. Talaya Rogers had been robbed in the parking lot of Cruizers, 800 Dabney Dr., while attempting to purchase a cellular phone from a subject that had posted an ad on Facebook.
The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow