The lead agency Urban League of Central Carolinas (ULCC) received a $450,000* Stimulus grant from the Charlotte- Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board (CMWDB) to begin a new National Broadband and Fiber Optics Certification program for individuals and families. The program is made possible through a partnership with Alliant Personnel Solutions and its Mike Minter Workforce Development Program (MMWDP). APSI’s Mike Minter Workforce Development Program is a collaboration of South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) and the Fiber Optic Association (FOA).
“I am excited about the opportunity to help our community attain the specific skills necessary to make it in today’s economy,” said Dr. Patrick Graham, President and CEO of the ULCC. “One of the reasons for our nation’s downturn in the economy is that we failed to prepare our workforce for the 21st Century. This program provides one of the solutions for our community’s education and training gaps.” In fact, the Obama Administration could not agree more. The Stimulus provides $ 7.2 billion for broadband and fiber optic expansion. It also provides $300 billion for construction projects that will include new optical network technology upgrades in federal, educational and commercial buildings.
APSI’s CEO Scott Coulter said, “Proper vocational skills training will play a critical role in the supply of this high demand technology.”
The program goes beyond the technical certifications. Individuals in the program will receive life skills, financial literacy, placement, and real work experience services. Youth and young adult participants will receive stipends and internships. “Anyone who knows me knows that I will support those efforts that will get young people off the streets and into programs that will serve them as a catalyst to long and productive lives,” said Mike Minter, former Carolina Panthers star and supporter of the initiative. “Through life skills education, employment skills training, financial literacy and mentoring, these underserved, unemployed and at-risk youth will be given the opportunity to make a difference in their lives…and that’s a worthwhile effort.” Because of the additional training, potential employers will get employees that have a specific skill and the soft skills to be great workers.
The formal press conference will include area companies, supporters, and invited guests of the initiative such as AT& T, Time Warner, Collaborative Ventures, Workforce Development Board, Network Cabling Systems, JMI Telecommunications, GUS Inc., Accu-Tech, Lowe’s, Duke Energy, and many others.
For more information, contact:
Urban League of Central Carolinas at (704) 373-2256 or
Alliant Personnel Solutions Inc. (APSI) at (704) 944-3528 or www.apsicorp.com .
*“ Funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to the State of North Carolina, EOE, & Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities.”
