Organizational example:
Pillowtex Corporation and the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Organization/Program |
The Pillowtex Project |
Program Purpose |
The state of North Carolina faced an unprecedented challenge when 4,790 jobs were lost as a result of the Pillowtex Corporation closing its doors. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College played a critical role in providing basic skill training and vocational training to 3,984 of the dislocated workers (45 percent of whom lacked a high school degree) who were in their service area. |
Program Description |
For 18 months following the downsizing, college educators worked onsite at a closed plant where they conducted workshops in stress management, test anxiety, and GED preparation. Information and placement testing to help dislocated workers enroll in college was also provided. New short-term training programs helped dislocated workers enter high growth jobs in the health occupation cluster quickly. Among the many partnerships formed, the college worked with the public schools to share space in the evenings and summer months for off-campus offerings in ESL and short-term construction and masonry programs. Local schools hosted job-seeking skills workshops, and a literacy council was reactivated. GED and Adult Basic Education classes were held at area churches. College officials translated outreach materials into Spanish and Laotian. Clothing closets helped students dress for job interviews. Cosmetology students provided free manicures and haircuts to dislocated workers as part of their job preparation. The Small Business Center developed programs in entrepreneurial training. Capacities were increased in all courses, allowing more dislocated workers to benefit from college instruction. |
Progress |
The college established an accountability model with a computerized database and tracking system to identify outcomes of clients enrolled at the college. College enrolled 49% of the NEG-eligible clients in the college’s service area. Direct services were provided to 92% of these clients. 245 finished their GED. 449 enrolled in HRD and short-term occupational extension programs. 230 students have graduated from the college to date and another 226 are expected to complete programs of study by December 2006. |
Contact Information |
Jeanie Moore, VP, Continuing Education |
Information from Jeanie Moore at Rowan-CabarrusCommunity College and from U.S. Department of Labor, 2005.