The mission of the TWSC Council is to join business leaders, educators, workforce development service providers, and funders to support and accelerate skills and talent development collaboration so that our region goes farther, faster in creating a pipeline of skilled workers to fill jobs of today and the future.
Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP)
GAP is an alliance of eleven (currently) local businesses who have developed and implemented (in partnership with Guilford County Schools and Guilford Technical Community College), a high school through college paid apprenticeship program. An opportunity for high school seniors and recent graduates who pass rigorous academic and behavioral screening, to have a combined work and college experience in which they are paid and upon completing have an associates college degree, a journeyman’s certificate, no college debt, and a good job.
- August 2015 : Program established
- August 2016 : First Signing Ceremony with 14 inaugural apprentices
- August 15, 2017 : Second signing scheduled, 32-36 available apprenticeship slots
Each apprenticeship is equal to a $120,000 scholarship and 89% of apprenticeship completers remain with their employers three years later.
Eastern Triad Workforce Development Initiative
States that attract transformational, advanced manufacturing employers offer extraordinary workforce development programming to both grow existing industry and recruit new companies to North Carolina.
The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce together with Business High Point submitted a $6,000,000 Legislative Proposal during the 2017 Legislative Session as part of their joint Legislative Agenda. Covering workforce efforts in a four county area: Guilford, Alamance, Randolph and Rockingham under the title of the Eastern Triad Workforce Development Initiative the goal is to meet the growing needs of industry in our region through exponential expansion of the current adult and youth programs.
$3,000,000 toward this initiative was included in the Senate’s final budget.
We are currently awaiting final approval.
Regional Talent Survey
Action Greensboro, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, and Piedmont Triad Partnership are leading a Talent Alignment Strategy for the Triad region to ensure education and workforce development efforts are aligned with the needs of employers.
The study, led by Avalanche Consulting and The Council for Adult & Experiential Learning (CAEL), will inventory our education/workforce programs, make workforce/education recommendations, and address a recruitment and retention strategy.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
CTE is a critical area of focus for Guilford County Schools (GCS). Superintendent Dr. Sharon Contreras believes it is essential that business take the lead in this initiative. In support of GCS, TWSC will establish a committee, to make recommendations for, and facilitate implementation of, improvements in CTE programs and facilities.
Pathways in Technology (PTECH) Schools
P-TECH enables students to begin their college and professional lives more quickly and with more support than the typical school-to-work pathway.
- The Greensboro Chamber has launched a P-Tech Task Force including participants in the recent inter-city visit to Columbus, Ohio where a P-Tech School in partnership with Honda Automobile has a successful P-Tech program.
