Tag Archive for: #kerrtarregionalcouncilofgovernements

TownTalk: Looking To The Future Of Area Transportation

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Imagine driving to the train station in downtown Henderson to begin your daily commute to your job in the Triangle. You hop on the commuter rail, which whizzes past the stopped traffic along U.S. 1 and Capital Boulevard as you approach your destination.

For regional planner Sam Boswell, that is no longer a pie-in-the-sky notion, but what could be reality in, say, another 10 years or so.

Boswell is a regional planner who concentrates on transportation for the Kerr Tar COG. He told WIZS’s Bill Harris Wednesday that he sees his job as a balancing act to ensure that the COG provides and promotes projects for all parts of the region, not just the ones that are experiencing the burgeoning growth right now.

The Kerr Tar COG, which serves Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Person counties, stays up-to-date on NC DOT projects, such as the S-Line Rail Project slated to run through Henderson and points north, participation in a regional greenway project and an alternative to the gas tax, which helps to fund transportation projects and maintenance.

Individuals have an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns and hear updates from the NC DOT as it hosts an open house during the week of July 25-29. Folks can drop in to Div. 5 offices, 2612 N. Duke St., in Durham any time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. during that week, Boswell said.

Part of his job, he said, is to help municipalities and counties with projects and to explore ways to have a regional effect, “a grouping of services to benefit the region.” That sometimes proves difficult, he said, explaining that municipalities may not reap a direct benefit from a project that is not geographically nearby.

Take the S-Line rail project, for example. This project will connect Raleigh and Richmond and completing the Southeast rail corridor that then can feed into the much-used Northeast rail corridor.

“It’s a big deal, for sure,” Boswell said, adding that there’s a great deal of excitement around the project.

In addition to reducing commute times and the number of vehicles on the road, a passenger rail brings with it other benefits. “If you’ve got a train stop, you’ve got people leaving and people coming in,” he explained. That means riders can choose to get off at the Henderson or Norlina stations, “put a break in their trip and visit local businesses,” spending money and adding to the local economies.

There’s another exciting possibility for transportation of a slower nature – bicycle and pedestrian traffic along a greenway. The East Coast Greenway feasibility study is underway now. It’s mostly a biking trail, but there’s a walking route as well, Boswell said. The greenway extends through 400 cities from Florida to Maine, sort of like the Appalachian Trail, and the American Tobacco Trail in Durham makes up 27 or so miles of the greenway trail, he added.

“We’re working with a team of consultants to see how we can make that happen in the Kerr Tar region,” he said. Right now, there’s a section between Butner and Oxford in Granville County, but the COG is waiting to hear from another grant opportunity to continue the study on a bigger scale – building a greenway trail from Oxford north to Virginia and from Oxford to Henderson.

These projects, and others on the horizon, signal change for the area. Boswell said, like it or not, as the Triangle continues to expand, it’s important to keep the transportation system updated – even trying to stay ahead of the growth that is surely coming.

In addition to new projects like the rail line, it’s also critical to keep existing roads in good repair and able to handle the increasing volume of traffic.

“People are going to start moving in here,” Boswell said of the Kerr Tar region. What planners have to try to figure out is how to make adjustments to the infrastructure to accommodate those people.

More people means more vehicles using the roads, but not necessarily producing more revenue through the gas sales tax. More hybrid and electric vehicles means less money spent on gas, he explained. So the DOT is re-examining an idea previously studied that would generate revenue based on the number of miles a driver drives as opposed to how much gas he pumps into his tank.

“Right now, money for construction projects comes from the gas tax,” Boswell explained. As vehicles become more fuel efficient or not dependent at all on gas, drivers “aren’t paying their fair share…and the burden falls on some drivers more than others.”

DOT looked at it a few years ago.

Is it more equitable or sustainable to pay per mile than per gallon of gasoline? That’s one of the questions being considered in the study, he said.

The study has slots for 450 participants throughout the state, which will run from the end of July through October. Participants will get a device of some sort that will connect to the vehicle’s odometer or otherwise track the miles driven.

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TownTalk: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Is June 15

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State law requires that residents report suspected cases of elder abuse to the local Department of Social Services. But what, exactly, constitutes elder abuse? Learn more about this subject on June 15 at the Vance County Senior Center.

The Kerr-Tar Council of Government’s Agency on Aging is hosting an event to mark Elder Abuse Awareness Day from 9 a.m. to noon. The morning will be filled with resources from more than a dozen vendors from the five-county area that KTCOG serves, with activities designed for older adults and others interested in learning more.

The first 200 participants will get a t-shirt and a box lunch, compliments of two area long-term care facilities, and there will be goodie bags and various presentations during the morning designed to increase awareness of elder abuse. Aim High, a local health and wellness center, will discuss ways for older adults to remain active.

KTCOG Regional Ombudsman Kim Hawkins spoke with John C. Rose on Wednesday’s TownTalk and explained more about signs of elder abuse and the process that DSS representatives and others take to help keep disabled adults safe.

Mistreating older adults, no matter the form it takes, is not only wrong, it’s a crime.

A report may be made anonymously, Hawkins said. Once a report is received, the local DSS adult services unit will assess the information to determine whether the individual is in need of protection.

“It’s an intensive intake process,” she said, but the end result is to make sure that the report meets the criteria to be investigated. A team discusses the information and then, when warranted, makes contact with the individual to offer services.

As an ombudsman, Hawkins said she tries to encourages individuals to consent to services, or to get someone they feel comfortable talking with to relay the information to DSS on their behalf.

She said residents report incidents, but also medical professionals, outreach workers and others also have reported suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a disabled adult.

“We go out and monitor the facilities and visit,” Hawkins said, adding that she has received calls from individuals who wish to remain anonymous about paying a visit to a facility.

“Residents have called and asked to come visit,” she said, and she will inform DSS officials when she gets calls from those who don’t want to give their name.

It’s not necessary to contact the ombudsman to report suspected abuse situations, Hawkins said. “You can bypass the ombudsman process and call DSS directly,” she explained. “It’s more important…that it gets reported and reviewed,” she added.

People want to help, but often don’t want to get involved, Hawkins said. In some situations, the suspected abuser may be another family member, which makes the anonymous reporting important to avoid undue stress.

Although difficult to prove, mental or psychological abuse is perhaps most often reported. Hawkins said when she is investigating such cases, she and Adult Protective Services representatives look for how the individual’s reactions. One resident of a long-term care facility suffered anxiety attacks requiring hospitalization following verbal abuse from a facility administrator, she said.

Often, the mental or psychological abuse eventually will manifest in physical ways, validating the charge of abuse. By the way, Hawkins said the administrator was ultimately fired from the facility in that particular case.

Hawkins estimates that cases of elder abuse are under-reported, and added that in addition to reporting cases, it is important to educate others about elder abuse.

“Education is one of the biggest ways to prevent elder abuse,” she said. Empowering disabled adults through awareness and education is important.

Hawkins said she is planning a virtual meeting on the Zoom platform on June 9  that will be geared to residents of long-term care facilities, but it is open to others who may have family members or loved ones in a long-term care facility.

Please call the KTCOG at 252.436.2040 for details about how to join the virtual meeting, which should last 30-45 minutes.

Following is the list of phone numbers for the departments of social services in the five-county region served by KTCOG:

 

Vance: 252.492.5001

Granville: 919.693.1511

Warren: 252.257.5000

Franklin: 919.496.5721

Person: 336.599.8361

 

Following is a list of the eight most common forms of elder abuse, according to the website www.worldelderabuseawareness.com

  • Self-Neglect – Refusal or failure to provide himself/herself with adequate food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medication (when indicated), and safety precaution.
  • Physical Abuse– The use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment; or any physical injury to an adult caused by other than accidental means.
  • Neglect by Others– Failure to provide the basic care, or services necessary to maintain the health and safety of an adult: this failure can be active or passive.
  • Sexual Abuse– Sexual contact with a non-consenting adult or with an adult considered incapable of consenting to a sexual act.
  • Financial Abuse– The illegal or unethical exploitation and/or use of an elder’s funds, property, or other assets.
  • Mental Abuse– Verbal or emotional abuse includes threatening significant physical harm or threatening or causing significant emotional harm to an adult through the use of: Derogatory or inappropriate names, insults, verbal assaults, profanity, or ridicule; or harassment, coercion, threats, intimidation, humiliation, mental cruelty, or inappropriate sexual comments.
  • Abandonment – the desertion or willful forsaking by anyone having responsibility for care.
  • Isolation– Preventing the individual from receiving mail, telephone calls, or visitors.

The website also lists some of the signs that could indicate an individual may be experiencing some type of elder abuse:

  • Lack of basic amenities
  • Cluttered, filthy living environment
  • Unexplained or uncharacteristic changes in behavior
  • Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
  • Unpaid bills, new credit cards and/or increased cash withdrawals
  • Harassment, coercion, intimidation, humiliation
  • Caregiver isolates elder

Learn more about elder abuse awareness at https://worldelderabuseawareness.com/

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TownTalk: Powerful Tools For Caregivers

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Providing care to family members when they need it for a short-term recovery period is one thing, but being a caregiver for someone with a chronic health condition requires stamina and patience, with a generous done of humor thrown in for good measure.

And although caregivers can be really good at making sure they’re doing the very best for those in their care,  they may not be so great at taking care of their own needs. But a class offered through the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging may be just the thing to help caregivers take those all-important steps to learn how to be good to themselves, too.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a six-week course offered via Zoom for caregivers to learn about self-care as they also learn about resources available in the community, said Susan Tucker, an administrative assistant at KTCOG who also has provided care to a family member. The class begins Tuesday, May 17 and continues on Tuesdays through June 21. The class is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Tucker told John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk that she was unprepared for her role as a caregiver to her mother back in 2016. When she took this course she said she learned how to “not just survive, but to thrive as a caregiver.”

So much so, in fact, that she became an instructor for the course.

Michael Patterson, KTCOG’s family caregiver specialist, also is a course instructor. “It’s a six-week opportunity to learn not only about caregiving but to learn about themselves,” Patterson said. The course is designed for those who are actively caring for an aging adult. Each session builds on the previous session, so it’s important to try to carve out that 90 minutes each week to log in and participate, Tucker said.

In fact, that’s an important point for caregivers to remember, Tucker and Patterson said – making time to do things just for yourself. It’s not selfish; rather, it’s necessary to maintain a semblance of balance between daily life and being a caregiver.

Burnout is a real issue among caregivers, Patterson said. “It’s impossible to pour from an empty cup,” he said.

The class will help caregivers learn how to manage emotions, reduce stress and cope with the issues and demands that go along with providing care to someone with a chronic condition.

John and Linda Sigmon took the class and they said it helped them with feelings of being overwhelmed and frustrated while caring for a loved one.

“You’re fighting not only the disease but your inability to deal with it,” John said, adding that the course increased his understanding and helped him manage his emotions so he didn’t “get totally wiped out.”

Linda said she looked forward to the 90-minute sessions as “a little oasis of time” in her week, during which she learned things that she could adapt and apply to her own situation.

John said he found the instructors to be humorous and witty, but also compassionate. “They’ve been there, too,” he said; the class instructors also have been caregivers themselves, he said.

Patterson said the class teaches breathing techniques and meditation, as well as understanding emotional triggers.

“They learn what ways they can make a difference in their daily living to improve themselves – which will improve them as caregivers,” he added.

To register for the class, contact Tucker at 252.436.2040. Visit https://www.kerrtarcog.org/ to find more information.

 

 

TownTalk: Kerr Tar Regional Council Of Governments To Hold Employment Events

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Whether you’re a high school senior looking for that first job after graduation or looking for a new career, upcoming events sponsored by the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments could be just place to begin.

Business Services Manager Desiree Brooks and Youth Programs Coordinator & Equal Opportunity Officer Sharon Thomas discussed several resource and job fairs and other ongoing programs in the area designed to help people find employment.

D.N. Hix Gym in Oxford is the site of a resource and re-entry fair on April 12. In addition to Legal Aid representatives available to help individuals understand how to get their criminal records expunged, Department of Services representatives will be on hand, as well as GRRO, FGW Opportunities, the Family Resource Center, and Gang Free, Inc., public health officials and other programs designed to help with housing, transportation and food assistance.

Brooks said plans “are coming together very nicely” for this event, which is free and open to the public.

The Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre is the site for an all-day hiring event targeting young adults on April 29. Brooks said 10 businesses have confirmed their participation. “We’re shooting for about 40 businesses and our business services team is working diligently to connect” with additional businesses,” Brooks said. They should have a complete list by the end of the week, she added.

“The morning is reserved for the region’s high school seniors,” Thomas explained. High school counselors and CTE teachers are helping to spread the word at their schools and get students registered to attend the event. The time exclusively for students is from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.; the public is welcome to attend from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., although the target audience is the 16-24 age group.

Visit www.kerrtarworks.com to learn more.

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TownTalk: Area Economic Summit Coming To Uptown Roxboro

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Kerr-Tar Council of Governments and a bevy of partners representing a cross-section of the business, education and government agencies across the five-county region are joining forces to present Vision 2022:  Regional Economic Development Summit later this month in Roxboro.

The event will be held Thursday, Mar. 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Kirby Cultural Arts Complex in uptown Roxboro, and Person Economic Development Sherry Wilborn said participants will have the chance to learn from leading experts as well as enjoy what uptown Roxboro has to offer visitors.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Register by Mar. 21 at

https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ej1p18ts26aa95f6&oseq=&c=&ch=

Wilborn and Lou Grillo, workforce development director for Kerr-Tar COG, joined John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk to share details of the upcoming event.

“We’re thrilled to have people coming in to Person County,” Wilborn said. Participants will get vouchers in their registration packets to exchange for lunch at uptown restaurants and food trucks that are driving in for the event.

Grillo said there will be many opportunities for networking among participants, and said the day’s events are geared toward employers, employees, business partners and local and regional governments to gain insight on what is currently transpiring in the workforce.

Many employers are having to figure out how to adjust to the changing labor market and work with the current workforce conditions, Grillo said.

“It’s an opportunity to get the community together to talk about some critical workforce issues,” he said, and to understand the situations that companies are currently experiencing.

“Come and get an understanding of what the post pandemic economy is going to look like –

What the current talent pipeline is going to look like.”

Polywood is one Person County employer that is poised for expansion and Wilborn said it and several other employers across the five-county area are going to share some of their strategies and innovations for keeping their existing employees and for finding new workers in the post-pandemic economy.

Wilborn said unemployment is about 3.3 percent in Person County, which makes for a tight labor market.

A vital piece of the economy puzzle includes partnerships and networking from agencies like NCWorks and area economic development offices to community colleges and private business, Grillo said.

“It takes partnership and communication to understand the opportunities that are available,” he said. “We’re preparing our workforce needs of the future” through holding events like the summit.

The keynote speaker is Peyton Holland, a nationally known expert who will speak on how to grow the workforce in a time where skill is hard to find, opportunities are plentiful for jobseekers, and results are needed immediately.

Grillo said he’s heard Holland speak before, and he considers him a great resource for helping to align the various community partners to be most effective in creating qualified workers through education and recruiting and retaining employees in the workforce.

Other speakers include N.C. Secretary of Commerce Machelle Sanders and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond CEO Tom Barkin. Managing Partner with Economic Leadership, LLC, Ted Abernathy will join live through virtual video conference.

Sponsors include the Kerr-Tar Council of Governments, Kerr-Tar workforce development board, and Duke Energy, with collaborative partners from the Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Commissions, and Vance-Granville and Piedmont Community Colleges.

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Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments

TownTalk: Beth Davis Talks Kerr-Tar Regional Council Of Governments

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The Kerr-Tar Council of Governments provides assistance to a cross-section of the community, and part of Beth Davis’s job as regional engagement specialist is to share information about what the agency can do for residents in the counties it serves

The local COG serves five counties – Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren and Person – and Davis said Wednesday that there are programs and services that benefit individuals, municipalities as well as businesses.

“We are always very busy,” Davis told John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk. There are 16 COGs in the state which received $10 million to help with American Rescue Plan, and another $6 million in disaster, recovery, resilience and mitigation monies to assist in local pandemic recovery efforts.

The Kerr-Tar COG is doing things to make the community a better place to live, Davis said. And that’s something that she enjoys spreading the word about.

“We have a lot of great services and programs for folks in our counties. We’re not a secret,” she said, adding that there are a lot of services that are of great help to the community. “How can you not get excited about that?”

Individuals can get help from Kerr-Tar through a variety of programs – from getting help creating a job resume to taking part in a walking program for people with arthritis to improve physical health.

The NCWorks agency is a part of the local COG, Davis said, which helps to connect employers with qualified candidates. In addition to workforce staff in the Kerr-Tar office, there are three career centers where people looking for help with finding a job. The Oxford location is at Hilltop on Hwy 158, the Henderson location is on Beckford Drive and the Warren location is on the campus of VGCC in Warrenton.

Traditionally, January is a “big time of year when people are looking for a change. It’s a good time to contact the workforce development office” for help in finding a job, she said.

Individuals also can get guidance about resources for seniors through the Area Agency on Aging. The agency is looking to hire an aging specialist, she said, but resources include family caregiver support and an ombudsman to help family members who have complaints about facilities.

Municipalities can get help with grant-writing and the Kerr-Tar planning and economic development arm facilitates a wide range of issues, from providing diversity, equity and inclusion training to spotlighting the use of electric vehicles and other alternate transportation such as bicycle and pedestrian plans.

Visit www.kerrtarworks.org to find out more and to view the monthly newsletter that lists many of the opportunites and upcoming events in the COG service area. There’s also a very active and up-to-date Facebook page that contains details of events.

For those who prefer telephones to computers or social media. Davis said a simple call to the office at 252.436.2040 can get you connected to services and information.

 

 

Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments

Town Talk: Talent Connect Connects People To Employment

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A short informational virtual session could be the jumpstart to a new career path, and Desiree Brooks said staff at NCWorks is available to follow up with individuals who have questions about next steps toward seeking meaningful employment.

Brooks spoke with John C. Rose on Monday’s Town Talk about Tuesday’s 10 a.m. Talent Connect series, sponsored by the Kerr-Tar COG.

The session lasts 10 minutes, she said, but will be chock-full of information for participants.

“There’s a pathway for every person,” she said, adding that there’s no one set way for prospective employees to find a job that suits them and their skill sets.

Participants will have a chance to interact with presenter Helen Bradby during the virtual session – Tues, Jan 11 – Register at: bit.ly/pathways0111.

Anyone without internet access can simply call NCWorks at 252.438.6129 in Henderson or 919.693.2686 in Oxford  to schedule an appointment to learn more.

“We’ll figure out a way to get them the information they need,” Brooks said.

Other virtual sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays in January – the topic for Jan. 18 is professional communication and interview skills (register here – bit.ly/professionalskills0118) and the topic for Jan. 25 is resume building (register here – bit.ly/resumebuilding0125).

These “soft skills” can be important for interviews, Brooks said; prospective employers are looking for new workers who will be a good fit, and job seekers should feel confident when going into an interview.

The Jan. 18 session will give tips for gaining the confidence to kind of help you “shake those nerves…to go in and get the job.”

The Jan. 25 session about resume building will help participants create a resume, which doesn’t necessarily have list a long job history to be a powerful tool. “If you don’t have work experience, that’s OK,” Brooks said. There is plenty that you can put on a resume, from extracurricular activities like church, civic and community service participation.

“All that experience definitely needs to be highlighted on your resume,” she said.

Job seekers can practice those soft skills on Thursday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oxford NCWorks Center’s hiring event with Express Employment Professionals. The NCWorks Center is located at 111 Hilltop Village off US Hwy 158.

Learn more and bookmark www.kerrtarworks.com.

 

 

Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments

TownTalk: The Future Of Clean Energy And Electric Vehicles

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Carbon footprints, fossil fuels and emissions reductions all are buzz phrases that are grabbing headlines these days and it can be dizzying to try to make sense of it all.

“Clean” transportation has nothing to do washing, waxing and detailing vehicles, as it turns out, and everything to do with types of fuels cars use and what gets released into the atmosphere.

Rick Sapienza is director of the clean transportation program of the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University. In his work, he drills down into the details of how to keep our air clean as we drive our vehicles for daily activities.

Beth Davis, regional engagement specialist with Kerr-Tar Council of Governments, is an education outreach partner that helps Sapienza spread the word about how to be good stewards and good drivers. Both  were guests on Thursday’s Town Talk to discuss how consumers can contribute in a positive way to reduce fuel consumption and keep more money in their pocket versus pumping gas into the tank.

Not everyone can just go out and purchase a new electric vehicle, Davis noted. Sapienza offered a list of options that consumers can do.

Eat lunch in your car with the engine on? Your car is getting 0 miles per hour when it idles, he reminded. “The way you drive and maintain that vehicle affects its fuel economy,” he said. Speeding reduces fuel economy as well, and it would be good for drivers to map out their errands to cut down on unnecessary driving.

Programs in place across the state like Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) have paid off to improve air quality in the 16 years since its inception, Sapienza said. Funded through the federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality program, he said that all 100 counties in North Carolina now are in compliance with clean air standards.

As technologies continue to be developed, more and more fuel choices will be available.

According to Sapienza, compressed natural gas (CNG) is a renewable natural gas that is growing in popularity. The City of Raleigh’s buses run on it, and the majority of that type of transportation on the West Coast runs on it as well.

Other transportation agencies have turned to hydrogen to fuel their longer routes. “They perform like champs,” Sapienza said. There are two ways to use the hydrogen – either to produce electricity or combust it.

Davis said there are apps for smartphones to help drivers locate charging stations for their electric vehicles. Although some are free to use, drivers must pay a fee to plug in. Technology advances are making it easier for vehicles to travel farther before needing to recharge.

A common complaint with electric vehicles is the high cost of the battery, but Sapienza said the price has been steadily coming down.

Davis said she got to drive an electric vehicle during a recent demonstration and said it made her think about the possibility of an EV for her next vehicle.

“What really caught my attention was the low maintenance cost,” she said. “And also not having to buy so much gas.”

Sapienza said EV’s may cost more at purchase, but considering the total cost of ownership – like not paying for oil changes, transmission work, and other costs – the cost over the lifetime of the vehicle is lower. “Within 5-10 years, we’ll be at price parity cost on the vehicle,” he predicted.

Efforts to further reduce emissions and further electrify the region are ongoing, Sapienza said. “There’s a tremendous investment,” he said. Globally, $577 billion has been committed in both the public and private sector – $143 billion in the U.S. alone – to adopt technologies that reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Listen to the entire interview at wizs.com.

 

 

Kerr Tar Workforce and NCWorks

The Local Skinny! Person Co. Regional Job Fair

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The Kerr-Tar Region Council of Governments will host a job fair on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 in Person County and Kerr-Tar officials say it’s a great chance for job-seekers to meet prospective employers.

Adam Perkins, business services representative for the five-county Kerr-Tar agency, told John C. Rose Monday that more than 20 employers will be on hand in Roxboro for the event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Huck Sansbury Recreation Complex, 425 Long Ave. in Roxboro.

“Bring your smile, dress the part and bring your résumé,” Perkins said on Monday’s The Local Skinny! segment.

The NC Works Career Centers provide services to the community, from opportunities for those looking for work and a job pool for employers looking to fill open positions.

Previous job fairs have been held across the five counties, and employers like Versatrim, Plastic Ingenuity, Durham Public Safety, Person Memorial and Durham Coca-Cola are just a few of the businesses and industries that will be on hand Friday.

Perkins said he and other staff from NC Works will be on hand Friday. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” he said. He and others will be available to answer questions and inform the participants how NC Works can help.

The job fair offers a chance for folks to “come out, walk around, network, (and) meet people,” Perkins said. And it’s a chance for employers to see you at your best, he added.

A main focus of NC Works is service to the community, he said – helping employers find workers and helping workers polish their resume or provide training to qualify them for specific jobs.

The NCWorks Career Centers are located at 111 Hilltop Village in Oxford, 857 Beckford Drive in Henderson and on the campus of Vance-Granville Community College in Warren County. Perkins invited anyone interested in learning more about services to just drop in. “Our doors are always open,” he said. If you have questions or need assistance, “just walk in and we’ll be glad to help,” Perkins added.

NC Works offers specific programs to help veterans, as well as those who may have trouble finding a job because they have a criminal record. Most employers use background checks as part of the application process, but some employers may be willing to hire ex-offenders.

The NC Works re-entry program may be able to help those who are having difficulty finding work. “There may be some employers who are following a different model,” Perkins said.

Sponsors for the job fair include Vance-Granville Community College, Piedmont Community College, Person Economic Development and Roxboro Chamber of Commerce.

In email correspondence after the interview, a full list of employers planning to attend was provided – Ameristaff; Capstone Logistics; Corning; Dialight; Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Co.; Educational Opportunity Center; Gate Precast; Hire Dynamics; Ideal Fastener; Louisiana Pacific; Lowe’s; MGM Products; Murdoch Development Center; North American Aerodynamics; NC Dept. of Public Safety; Person County Government; Person Memorial Hospital; Plastic Ingenuity; Polywood; Regal Driving Academy; Spuntech; Versatrim; Vocational Rehabilitation; Walmart Distribution; We Move.

Visit kerrtarworks.com to learn more.

Kerr Tar Workforce and NCWorks

Looking A Job – Look Here Before Feb 25

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It’s a job seeker’s market, according to a local NC Works official who announced a couple of upcoming opportunities that could lead to employment.

Desiree Brooks, business services manager of the Workforce Development Board of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, said participants interested in work at Altec can register for an event that will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25.

Altec, which builds bucket trucks, has a facility in Creedmoor in southern Granville County.

A second opportunity scheduled for Thursday is the Triangle Virtual Regional IT Career Expo, Brooks said. A group of area workforce development groups is hosting this event, which will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There are many opportunities in the Kerr-Tar region for jobs in the IT field, she said. A job may not be working for an IT company, but there are businesses hiring for IT-related jobs, she said. “We’re all coming together for a common need,” she said.
We all share the same goals – to improve workforce, not just in our area, but across North Carolina,” she said.

This virtual career fair is for employers who are looking for workers as well as for job seekers, she said. Register for this event online at events.kerrtarworks.com or phone 919.693.2686 to get assistance or to learn more about either event.