SCHOOL-TO-WORK ACT

For the purpose of enriching job skills, in 1994 the The School-to-Work Opportunities Act (STW) was signed into law as a joint administration responsibility for the Department of Education and the Department of Labor. This educational and career preparation act is designed to prepare students for higher-skill, higher-wage jobs, and utilizes hands-on experience with employers as part of a student's educational growth.

In the past almost two decades, local communities have been forming partnerships designed to assist our young people in their academic progress and achievement and to better prepare students to enter today's workforce. Translating this into action, human resources professionals have constructive opportunities to impact education and to provide students with career knowledge and experiences to transition from school to work.  Examples include job training, shadowing, work experience, mentoring, career exploration and counseling, student field trips, internships, co-ops, apprenticeship programs, etc.

SOME RESOURCES

The following are various resources intended to assist our membership in their business and community efforts to support education/business partnerships.

GASTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Gaston County Chamber of Commerce's legislative initiative involving Education & Workforce Development is designed to meet the needs of current and future employers. Some of their action steps are:

• Support adequate funding or new revenue sources for education and the school systems.

• Support adequate funding for the North Carolina Community College System to provide for funds to support enrollment growth at Gaston College and local workforce development programs.

• Support adequate funding for the NC Science Museum’s Collaborative to provide science to increase K-12 science comprehension.

• Support continued funding for tuition supplements for NC Private college students.

Contact:  Gaston Regional Chamber
 601 W. Franklin Blvd, Gastonia 28052
 704.864.2621 Fax: 704-854-8723
Email: enews@gastonchamber.com

Gaston Workforce Development Board
A Workforce Development Board is a local board required by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998.  Each Board is "charged with planning, policy development, implementation, and oversight responsibilities for workforce development programs and services authorized by WIA."  Volunteer membership is comprised of private business, community and education representatives. Gaston's WIA is YouthWorks which is a "year-round employment and training program for both in-school and out-of-school at-risk youth ages 16 - 21. The program provides both academic and career related experiences designed to expose youth to the world of work, and to help them acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to obtain a job and advance in employment." Once in the YouthWorks program, students receive tutoring and mentoring, summer work experiences, etc. 

Contact:  Gaston County Workforce Development Programs
330 N. Marietta Street, 2nd Floor, Gastonia 28052
Phone: 704-862-7525  Fax: 704-862-7939
E-mail:  paige.maltba@co.gaston.nc.us

joblink Career Center System
A JobLink Career Center is a one-stop resource for job seekers and employers.   Each Center provides businesses with customized services to meet the employment hiring and training requirements and act as a resource for potential applicants who have been assessed and meet the employer's needs.  Info on the labor market, workforce and hiring incentives are available through JobLink.  In downsizing situations, JobLink offers assistance with unemployment insurance, training and placement services, helpful to both the employers and the displaced employees. 

Contact:  Gaston County Joblink Career Center
E-Mail: lgmiller@co.gaston.nc.us
 1391 Bessemer City Road, Gastonia 28052
Phone: (704) 853-5328 Fax: (704) 853-5303

THE COLLEGE FOUNDATION OF NORTH CAROLINA
The College Foundation of North Carolina promotes work-based learning and emphasizes connecting education with the business community. 

Contact:  College Foundation of NC
Phone: 866-866-CFNC(2362) (toll-free)