HighCountry

HighCountry

HighCountry


Workforce Development Board
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» High Country Workforce Development Board Business Services

Regional Business Partners

High Country Workforce Development has a partnership with business, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce and educational institutions throughout our seven county region. Executives from these organizations are members of the Regional Business Partners Team that meets regularly to exchange ideas related to workforce opportunities and challenges. Their goal is to work together to develop, support and promote a quality workforce that will attract and retain business and industry in our region.


On-the-Job Training

Training is a tremendously expensive proposition for most businesses, which are often reluctant to take on new workers during an economic downturn. On-the-Job Training (OJT) can reimburse employers for as much as 90 percent of the trainee’s paycheck, depending on skill gaps and the employer’s company size. In addition, OJT contracts can last for up to six months and trainee positions must be intended to lead to permanent jobs. Employers and the OJT available position must be approved for training before hiring or training begins.

To date, 23 area businesses have been assisted by OJT grants. In addition, 45 workers from the High Country have been assisted and have new jobs because of the program. See the contact information below to find out how OJT can help your business.

For Alleghany, Ashe, and Wilkes counties contact Ricky Roten (336) 651-2540 ext 2550
For Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties contact John Greene (828) 737-5419
For Watauga county contact Jacob Clark (828) 265-5434 ext 129


Economic Impact Research

As a part of our services to the business, economic development and educational communities, we provide labor market analysis, comprehensive economic forecasting and economic impact data acquired through Economic Modeling Specialist, Inc, a web-based subscription program. Data comes from 70 state and federal government sources and is updated twice annually.

These services include:
  • Economic Forecasting reports - provides current statistics and 10-year projections for the growth and decline of jobs by industry, jobs by occupation, and demographics for a selected county or region, in addition to current unemployment data.
  • Economic Impact reports - input-output modeling, easy-to-use analysis of industries, industry clusters, and regional economic base. This is a critical tool used for understanding a region's current economy and planning for future economic challenges and opportunities.
  • Career Pathway reports - provides data and analysis related to occupational competency (knowledge, skills and ability) requirements, regional human capital, and ways of identifying employment and retraining opportunities for dislocated of unemployed workers.
  • EMSI GIS reports – economic data can be mapped to show comparisons, density, and regional tendencies.
  • If you are interested in a specific forecast report, email your request to economicinfo@highcountrywdb.com or contact Rebecca Bloomquist at our office at (828) 265-5434
Click here for the most recent regional economic forecast (PDF, 772kb).


Incumbent Worker Grants

To assist businesses in providing education and skills training for current employees, we provide grant consultation.
  • Incumbent Worker grants with an annual maximum amount of $25,000 and a lifetime maximum amount of $40,000 are designed to benefit businesses by enhancing the skills of employees, thereby increasing employee productivity and the potential for company growth. Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and ISO 9000 are just a few of the training programs eligible through these grant programs. [Note: Companies that have received funding prior to July 1, 2008 remain eligilbe for the $50,000 lifetime maximum stated in previous Incumbent Worker Grant guidelines.]
  • View the guidelines and application (289kb)
  • If you are interested in applying for the Incumbent Worker Grant and have questions you may email them to business@highcountrywdb.com or you may contact Adrian Tait at our office at (828) 265-5434

High Country Business Resource Directory (PDF, 336kb)


Specific Business Services

For specific business services customized for you, click on your individual county:
Alleghany
Ashe
Avery
Mitchell
Watauga
Wilkes
Yancey

Services and activities funded by the High Country Workforce Development Board are equal opportunity employers/programs.
To place a free relay call in North Carolina, dial 711.
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