Workforce Development

Empowering our workforce through innovative development.

A skilled workforce is essential to growing our economy and attracting more jobs. Wilkes County supports workforce development through a variety of programs and incentives that benefit workers, employers, and communities. These offerings often connect businesses with training resources that upskill their employees so they can better respond to industry needs and to support the workforce talent pipeline.

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Guide

The Wilkes County Workforce Resource Guide is a comprehensive booklet for employers or those seeking employment and features contact information and…

Programs & Incentives for Workforce Development

Talent Identification & Selection

Assistance with talent acquisition for a new or expanding business can be developed jointly with the business and provided through the statewide network of NCWorks Career Centers and workforce partners. Communications and outreach strategies, recruitment activities, job fairs, a dedicated recruitment website, and interviewing and screening services all may be provided at no charge to the business on an as-needed basis.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit

The program provides a federal tax credit of $1,200 to $9,600 per new employee to incentivize a company for hiring an individual from a specific targeted group. Target groups include Veterans, Long-Term Unemployed, Ex-Felons, SNAP Recipients, Supplemental Social Security Income Recipients, or TANF Recipients. Application for the tax credit is completed online within 28 days of new employee start date.

Federal Bonding Program

Provides free individual fidelity bonds to help protect the company against employee theft, larceny, embezzlement or forgery.
$5,000 bond is issued for a 6-month duration. Incentive for a business to hire a former offender, someone who has a poor credit history or a youth with questionable work history.

Business Edge

Supported by federal funding to help distressed small or mid-sized businesses avert or prevent layoffs. Led by the state, in partnership with Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) and Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) professionals to assess businesses, to help identify areas of improvement for struggling businesses, and to provide counseling, educational and other tailored services. The goal of the initiative is to increase the sustainability of North Carolina businesses.

Rapid Response Services

Triggered when a company files a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) or makes a general announcement of a mass layoff or company closure. Collaborative effort that involves a number of workforce partners to help a business transition its workforce to ensure employees enter into new employment as quickly as possible. Customized services are delivered on-site at the company facility, based upon employee survey results.

Trade Adjustment Assistance

Provides income support payments, training allowances, and/or relocation allowances for employees who have lost their jobs as a result of foreign trade.
Training can include occupational training, on-the-job training, apprenticeship programs, post-secondary education and remedial education (including GED preparation, literacy training, basic math, or English as a Second Language).

Program Enhancement Grant

Up to $200,000 may be awarded to local Workforce Development Boards to be used to support the workforce needs of businesses or of specific target groups or to sponsor the implementation of an innovative approach to workforce development.

On-the-Job Training (OJT)

A wage reimbursement incentive may be provided to a business to help offset the cost of training a new employee with limited skills. Wage reimbursement ranges from 50 to 75 percent, depending upon the size of the business, with the higher percentage for businesses with up to 250 employees. OJT contracts are limited to the time required for the employee to become proficient in his/her job, not to exceed six months. Prior to hire, an individualized training plan is developed with the employer that will allow the new employee to gain the required competencies.

Incumbent Worker Training

Helps offset the cost of training employees who have worked for a business consistently for six months or more. Training should lead to an increased skill level, so employees can be promoted and the employer can backfill opportunities for less skilled employees. Business must participate in the cost of the training through non-federal share of cash payments or in-kind contributions, based upon the size of the company.

Education in Wilkes County

Wilkes County educators are going above and beyond to ensure that students gain classroom knowledge, practical skills and soft skills that are essential for success in the workplace. Collaboration between employers and educators at every level in the county is ongoing so that graduates can enter the workforce and meet its immediate needs.

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