1. EMERGING ISSUES IN WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT
“HowWorkforce Boards respond to Employer needs now
and in the future.”
PiedmontTriad Regional Council
Northwest PiedmontWorkforce Development Board
Director ofWorkforce Development
Althea Hairston

2. The PiedmontTriad is located in the southeastern US, in the central part
of North Carolina.We are located halfway between NewYork and Florida
and halfway betweenWashington DC andAtlanta GA .We are a 12
county region serving 1.6 million people.Twelve counties and 60
municipalities comprise the PiedmontTriad Regional Council.

3. N.C. STATE OF THE WORKFORCE REPORT
Workforce Strategies in the Piedmont Region
comprehensive economic development efforts, such as the one completed
in 2005 by the Northwest North Carolina Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy (CEDS).The Northwest NC.CEDS, covering the
Winston-Salem metro area and counties northwest, major challenge:
Challenge-The region’s low attainment level and poor alignment
of workforce skills with job opportunities
Strategy-calls for improving access to the workforce and
education system to help those hit hardest

4. REGIONALISM 2006
 The sixWorkforce Development Boards in the PiedmontTriad
region, in conjunction with theWIRED (Workforce Innovation
In Regional Economic Development Project), identified the
following Industry Clusters to focus upon in a forward-thinking
approach to prepare the region's workforce for career ladder
advancement into high-wage/high skill jobs:
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Logistics and Distribution
• Creative Enterprises & the Arts
• Allied Health

5. PIEDMONT TRIAD REGION
 TriadWorks is a consortium of fiveWorkforce Development
Boards in the North CarolinaTriad who are committed to
identifying and implementing regional solutions to support a
globally competitive, highly skilled, forward-looking
workforce.
 TriadWorks serves 12 counties in the west-central part of
the state:Alamance, Caswell, Davie, Davidson, Forsyth,
Guilford, Montgomery, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes,
Surry andYadkin.

6. REGIONAL PARTNERS
**PiedmontAlliance forTriad Healthcare
**Advanced ManufacturingAdvisory Board
 Piedmont RegionalWorkforceAlliance (9 C.C.)
 North Carolina Division ofWorkforce Solutions
 Workforce Development Board (supporting
Business and Industry)
** (Employer Lead)

7. PRIORITIES/OBJECTIVES
 Promote broader understanding of assessments and key
competencies
 Expand partnership to include economic development and
curriculum programs
 Analyze data and share best practices
 Promote awareness of existing programs
 Foster the development of new initiatives
 Encourage communication among stakeholders in the
region

8. INDUSTRIES THAT EMERGED AFTER 2008
 Allied health
 Advanced Manufacturing/Aviation

9. PRE-MACHINING MODEL
 Developed an 18 week pre-machinist training model
with aviation employers that will provide a standard
training experience through the region.
 The 9 community college is the PiedmontTriad have
implemented the model in their continuing
education programs.
 81% of the program’s graduates are working

10. EVOLVING THE MODEL
 Identify common core skills
 Screen applicants to position students for success
 Options for students who don’t meet screening
criteria
 Messaging to employers that accurately reflect what
students will be taught
 Transferrable skills, both technical and soft skills
Cont.

11. EVOLVING THE MODEL
 Eligibility to transfer credit to curriculum
 Techniques for keeping potential students engaged if
there is a wait for a course to be offered

12. CONTACT INFORMATION
Althea Hairston
Workforce Board Director
336-761-2111
ahairston@ptrc.org