HCWDB Awards Contracts to Local Community College Collaborative

The High Country Workforce Development Board (HCWDB) is pleased to announce the contract awards for federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding to Mayland Community College and Wilkes Community College (in collaboration with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute) for $1,031,000.
WIOA provides funding for career center operations, educational scholarships, and business services for adults, dislocated workers, and youth through local NCWorks Career Centers.

Mayland Community College (MCC) will provide these services for Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties and Wilkes Community College (WCC) will provide services in Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga, and Wilkes counties.

“The High Country Workforce Development Board is excited about the innovative ways these local colleges are working to connect more businesses with the talent that they need,” commented Adrian Tait, HCWDB director.

Proposals were solicited from experienced organizations interested in providing workforce services on a regional basis in the seven-county region. The provision of these services is funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Title I, Public Law 113-128, which began July 1, 2015 and is authorized as workforce law at the federal level through September, 2020.

The successful bidders were selected based on demonstrated abilities, past performance, a sound proposal, collaboration and partnerships, and cost effective service delivery.

It was agreed by the Board’s Request for Proposal review committee that the collaborative team from MCC and WCC, in collaboration with CCCTI, provided the best value with a strong approach integrating aspects of Adult Basic Education, Customized Training, Human Resource Development, and the Small Business Center into the operation and service delivery of the NCWorks Career Centers.

This innovative approach also leverages a number of existing efforts and relationships underway including involvement in business engagement, career pathways, sector partnerships, activities with youth, and strong partnerships with local school systems and community partners.

“The High Country region is known for our collaborative efforts, and the award of these contracts will allow more people and more businesses access to more services than ever,” commented Tait.

The contract period will begin November 1st and run through June 30, 2016. At that time, a contract extension for two more years can be executed if all parties are in agreement.