TALENT@Work
Upcoming TALENT@Work Events
Talent Toolbox
The economic climate in
Catawba County is healthy – unemployment is very low and sales volume and business confidence are high as indicated by our 2018 Partnership Survey results. As a direct result of these key indicators of a tight labor market, it was no surprise that attracting and retaining qualified talent was cited as the most critical community issue impacting business and inhibiting growth.
In a tight labor market, you may be challenged with turning to more unconventional or innovative solutions to meeting your talent needs and often times don’t know where to start. Our hope is that this portal offers a platform to guide you to the resource centers in our community that can assist you in identifying great candidates and ultimately filling your vacant positions.
*The Talent Toolbox application was created by the Leadership Catawba Class of 2018 in an effort to respond to a critical issue impacting business in Catawba County.
Recruit
Do you have great positions to fill? Tap into the following resources to assist you with your direct recruitment efforts.
Selling the Community
Do you need tools to help “sell” Catawba County to a top talent prospect? We’ve compiled some of the most comprehensive digital resources to assist in showcasing what it’s like to live, work and learn here.
MyHKY.com – A virtual tour of the City of Hickory
Request customized assistance with recruitment and/or spousal job placement
Relocation Support:
Video Library
Crafting Hickory – Video Renderings of the City Walk Project
Doers & Makers – Personal Stories of Living in Hickory
Coming Home to Hickory Video – Hickory Public Schools
A Weekend in Hickory – PBS Charlotte (2018)
NC Works Career Center
Post an open position on the statewide job search portal, access labor market data and tap into the local representatives at our local NCWorks Career Center, all provided by the NC Department of Commerce.
MADE Magazine
The MADE Magazine is a local workforce guide designed to promote local careers and educational opportunities to middle and high school students.
Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board
The Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board, a function of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, provides, planning, technical assistance and implementation of employment, and training activities as required by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for the local area, as well as providing oversight, coordination and guidance of the local NCWorks Career Centers.
Regional Higher Education Career Centers
Connect with the Career Centers of the community colleges and universities within our region for direct recruitment via job postings, participation in on-campus events or career fairs and/or to host an intern.
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Catawba Valley Community College Center for Workforce Connectivity & Talent Development
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Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute Career Services
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Center for Career Development & Economic Engagement at Appalachian State University
Staffing Services
Tap into any of our local temporary staffing or direct recruitment partners to assist with your human resource needs.
Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina
Goodwill’s Career Connections Centers offer free, personalized services to aid job seekers such as resume-writing assistance, skills assessment, career coaching, access to computers, help with interviewing skills and job placement services. Tap into the local Career Center to make them aware of your career opportunities.
Veteran Recruitment
Over 15,000 service members from all branches of our armed forces transition into civilian workforce from a military installation in NC alone annually. Align with the efforts of the Catawba Military Taskforce, a collaborative effort led by the Catawba County Chamber and the Catawba County EDC , recruit this top talent and advocate for a veteran-ready community.
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HKY4Vets – A dedicated website, specifically including the resources and community information needed for transitioning service members and their families.
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Learn how to become a HKY4Vets Employer Partner and allow us to assist you in marketing your company and positions to transitioning service members/spouses.
Partner Organizations with Valuable Resources:
Work Release
The Work Release Program provides selected inmates the opportunity for employment in the community during imprisonment.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services provides counseling, training, education, transportation, job placement, technology and other support services to people with disabilities.
Hiring Events
Visit our Events Calendar.
Develop
Talent is the backbone of every organization and data proves that companies that invest more in training and development on current employees experience higher employee performance and retention and overall profitability. Furthermore, more often than not, employees cite that the lack of job challenge and advancement opportunities is one of the top reasons good employees decide to jump ship.
Utilize these local resources to cultivate your own talent.
HIGHER EDUCATION
CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURES
- Catawba Valley Community College Corporate Development Center
- Manufacturing Academy at Catawba Valley Community College
- Furniture Academy at Catawba Valley Community College
- Construction Careers Academy at Catawba Valley Community College
- Catawba Valley Community College Workforce Solutions Complex
- Catawba Valley Community College Management, Supervisory & Leadership Certifications
- Catawba Valley Community College On-Site Training
- Career Readiness Certification
- Six Sigma & Lean Certifications
WORKSHIPS & SEMINARS
JOB SHADOW, INTERNSHIP & APPRENTICESHIP
Interested in creating an work-based learning program at your business, but unsure about where to start? Contact any of the following individuals who will be happy to assist you in customizing a program that will be mutually beneficial to both your company and your future intern(s):
Chris Reese, Business Liaison with K-64
Ryan McCreary, Career & College Navigator with K-64
Katie Wohlman, Director of Career and Professional Development at Lenoir Rhyne University
Kimberly Propst, Apprenticeship Coordinator at Catawba Valley Community College
Find an intern to be placed at my place of business:
- Lenoir Rhyne University Career Center (Assistance with LRU student placements)
- Catawba Valley Community College Center for Workforce Connectivity & Talent Development (Assistance with CVCC student placements)
- Center for Career Development & Economic Engagement at Appalachian State University (Assistance with ASU student placements)
- K-64 – (Assistance with high school student placements)
ENGAGE THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENT
Download or share the most recent edition of the MADE Magazine
The MADE Magazine is a local workforce guide designed to promote local careers and educational opportunities to middle and high school students.
Request printed copies of the publication
Volunteer to serve as a guest lecturer, host a high school or college intern, participate in a career fair, serve on a career panel or simply find out more about the various opportunities to engage with students.
Contact Chris Reese, Business Liaison with K-64
Contact Ryan McCreary, Career & College Navigator with K-64
Recruit
Simply stated, an employer brand is your organization’s reputation as an employer. Unlike your company brand, which we control internally (logo, tagline, colors, products/services…etc), an “employer brand” is shaped and driven by your employees and other stakeholders. Regardless of how you’d like to present it, this identity and reputation is consciously developed for you and is a stand-alone driver for your effectiveness at recruiting great employees.
Tap into best practices by connecting with your colleagues. Here are some other local resources you may find helpful to assist you in retaining your best and brightest.
