ECWDB Success Stories

WIOA MEEI Program

Scott : Veteran Success Story

Scott is a veteran of the Marine Corps who retired after 20 years of faithful service to his country. He was painting houses for a living just to earn some extra money when he decided he wanted to begin a second career that would provide services to his community.

Scott heard about the WIOA Program at Coastal Carolina Community College in February of 2019 and began to inquire about how the program might assist him in meeting the goal he had set for himself.  He was introduced to the WIOA Military Employment Enhancement Initiative and learned about the OJT Program.  Scott met the Business Services Advisor, Diane LeBlanc, and they had a conversation about possibly doing an OJT. Mrs. LeBlanc provided him with information about a job posting that might possibly lead to an OJT with the City Of Jacksonville as a Police Services Officer.  The duties of that position included crime scene investigation, management of files and records, testifying in court presenting evidence in criminal and civil cases, and keeping confidential information.  Scott applied for the position and the City was very interested in hiring him.  His OJT started in March of 2019 and ended in August of that same year.  Scott remains in that position and is thankful for the services provided by the WIOA MEEI Program. 

A Regional Success Story

Derrick Session : Adult Success Story

In February of 2019, Derrick Session had been a happily employed Machinist for over six years at Advanced Machine Group (AMG) of Holly Ridge, NC.  This unique community sits on the county line of Pender County, and is also closely located to Brunswick and New Hanover Counties.  Derrick was quite surprised when, with great sadness, this established family-owned employer announced they would be permanently closing. 

AMG reached out to the New Hanover NCWorks Career Center seeking assistance locating new employment opportunities for their employees.  Because AMG was located in Onslow County and so close to Pender County, the New Hanover Center coordinated communication with both locations.  Onslow and Pender County NCWorks Career Centers, as well as Brunswick County staff, then joined forces with multiple sessions of employer and employee guidance at the worksite.  Staff worked collaboratively to provide resources from all areas.  Employees received assistance updating or creating their resume and an introduction to the features of NCWorks. They were also connected to Veterans Assistance, provided Health Insurance information, and established Unemployment (DES) accounts.  Many employees worked with Career Center staff at all three career centers, received referrals to hiring employers, and found jobs quickly.

Derrick’s goal had always been to continue working as a Machinist.  When after several months he was still unable to find a position at his level of expertise, he remembered one of the NCWorks staff he met had told him, “You can reach out to me for anything you need.”  He made a call to the Job Developer in Brunswick County that had helped him with his resume many months before.  After some discussion, he decided to enroll in the NCWorks WIOA Dislocated Worker Program to receive additional training and better his chances of finding a permanent suitable position.

In August 2019, Derrick began a complex On-the-Job Training plan at HSM Machine Group in Leland, NC (Brunswick County).  In February 2020, his months of hard work resulted in the successful completion of specific OKK, NIgataa, Maatsura and Yam Seiki Milling training as well as multiple production, processing and communication techniques.  Derrick loves his new job and remains a fulltime employee at HSM today.   His supervisors find him a welcome addition to the HSM team, and consider him a talented, thoughtful, and reliable employee.

Advanced Machine Group received assistance with the closing of their company in multiple ways.  A Rapid Response organized by Onslow County NCWorks Career Center included resources from Coastal Carolina Community College, Legal Aid, and area NCWorks Programs.  NCWorks staff provided industry contacts for the sale of equipment and materials.  AMG was thankful for the support they received during this difficult time. 

Due to the collaborative efforts of the staff of four NCWorks Career Centers – Onslow, Pender, New Hanover and Brunswick – two employers and a dozen employees received guidance and support during this event.  Derrick Session is just one shining example. 

Connie Wayne, Job Developer, Brunswick County, NC

Adapt and Overcome

Mr. Zachary Martinez : Success Story – New Bern Office

If COVID-19 has taught all of us anything, it is to adapt and overcome. It has been a time of constant change – a time in which we have had to review what the latest news is and change the course accordingly.  One way we have adapted within our office in Craven County is by developing a Virtual Hiring Event model. This model has allowed jobseekers an opportunity to connect with employers in a safe environment. Our first success story with the virtual hiring event is Mr. Zachary Martinez. 

Zachary logged into NCWorks on April 2, 2020 to begin the job search process.  He received a “Welcome to NCWorks” email on April 22, 2020 by Reeshema Walker, manager at NCWorks Craven, outlining our services and resources available to him.  On May 8, 2020, Beth Miller, Career Advisor, began the process of working with Zachary to help him with his job search and to refer him to the Virtual Hiring Event with Dradura.  Zachary was referred to the event for May 12, with a phone screening to follow the next day.  Zachary had a successful phone screening and was referred onto an onsite interview to follow on May 14.  He was offered and accepted a position as a temporary employee with Executive Personnel Group assigned to Dradura on May 18. Human Resource Manager Evelyn Hill with Dradura USA Corps was very pleased with the hiring event.

This is only one example how the NCWorks Career Center staff can continue to serve our jobseekers and employers in any situation and deliver results.

Hard Work & Determination

Camden : Adult Success Story

Camden was a 26-year-old Infantry Rifleman in the United States Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, when his 4-year contract with the military was ending. Camden needed to upgrade his skills and obtain credentials that would assist him in obtaining gainful employment once he left the Marines. He wanted to work in the forestry industry and was interested in the Powerline Technician course offered at Coastal Carolina Community College. The problem was the cost of the training was outside Camden’s financial means. Camden connected with the WIOA Military Employment Enhancement Initiative to solve this problem. WIOA’s Military Employment Enhancement Initiative (MEEI) is a grant opportunity designed to assist in training costs for veterans, transitioning military members, and military spouses. MEEI was developed by the Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board to help exited and transitioning military personnel, their spouses, and veterans obtain the necessary credentials to enter the civilian job market. Eligible participants qualify through an application process and are selected based on type of training, motivation, and suitability of the training in today’s job market. The program can assist with training related costs such as, tuition, books, supplies, exam fees and support services. Camden connected with the WIOA-MEEI program Military Employment Specialist through the Transitioning Readiness Services (TRS) on Camp Lejeune. He began the application process immediately, was deemed eligible, and entered the WIOA-MEEI program on January 4, 2019. Camden received permissive orders through his chain of command to attend the course while still enlisted in the Marine Corps. This allowed him to attend day classes in lieu of his regular activities. The grant covered the costs of his tuition, books, supplies and licenses. As required by the WIOA-MEEI program, his attendance was tracked and grades reported to ensure Camden was fulfilling all objectives toward meeting his goal.

While attending the course, Camden’s instructors spoke volumes about his character and drive. He is a natural leader and his determination and focus are qualities that make a lineman successful. Shortly into the course, The Davey Tree Expert Company visited the campus to recruit potential candidates for employment opportunities locally as well as nationally. Camden was selected as a potential candidate and scheduled an interview with the company recruiter on February 1, 2019. After the interview, Camden was offered a full time position for $17.00 an hour as a Climbing Arborist Trainee. He accepted the position and began working in June 2019, shortly after being released from Active Duty Service. Camden credits his family, his chain of command, Transitioning Readiness, the WIOA-MEEI grant program, his Powerline Technician instructors, and The Davey Tree Expert Company for his success. In all honesty, it was Camden’s hard work and determination that brought him to where he is today.

Heart felt appreciation for the excellent customer service

Danny : Adult Success Story

On July 9th, 2019, Duplin County Career Advisor Charliss Gwynn contacted Danny to complete a Subsequent RESEA appointment.  Danny had been laid off from Building Maintenance Services where he performed general apartment maintenance. He conducted light electrical and plumbing work, repaired and buffed tile flooring, and installed, finished and painted dry wall. Mr. Ash also maintained the HVAC unit by changing filters and cleaning coils. 

During their conversation, Danny stated he knew without some type of maintenance certification, especially HVAC, his employment opportunities in his field were restricted.  Employers had stated that they “would have hired him immediately if he had more HVAC experience or some certification in HVAC.”   Danny had since enrolled in a short online HVAC class and indicated he would like to take additional classes, but lacked the funding to do so. Charliss explained he may be eligible for tuition assistance through the WIOA- Dislocated Worker Program. With Danny’s permission, she promptly transferred him to her teammate, Christy Jeffers, JSCC WIOA Case Manager.  He was subsequently enrolled in the WIOA-Dislocated Worker Program and registered for the HVAC class and a welding class offered through the Continuing Education Department at James Sprunt Community College. Danny is currently working and will start classes this month to obtain the qualified credentials needed for advancement in his field.  In late July he called the Career Center manager to express his heart felt appreciation for the excellent customer service Charliss Gwynn provided.

Professional Journey

Nancy : Adult Success Story

Nancy began with the WIOA Title I Adult program 07/24/2018 and she graduated on May 08, 2019 with her Associate Degree in Nursing.  She was part of the 39 members who passed the National council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) on their first attempt.  She has begun her professional journey with UNC Health-Wayne County Medical Center as an RN in the Medical Surgical Department.