|
|
|
| For Release: IMMEDIATE | Contact: Public Affairs |
| Date: July 14, 2000 |
WORKFORCE EFFORTS OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES RECEIVE NATIONAL AWARD
RALEIGH: Once again, the North Carolina Community College System has been recognized for its outstanding workforce development efforts. This latest honor is the National Showcase Award, presented at the Joint Employment and Training Technology Conference (JETT * CON2000) in Albuquerque, New Mexico on July 9.
The NC STARS (State Tracking Accountability and Reporting System) developed by the NCCCS and the Employment Security Commission (which also received an award) was one of nine programs honored at JETT *CON2000 and one of only two from community colleges. NC STARS won recognition in the Powerful Partnerships at the State Level category. In addition to the award, STARS was showcased in a presentation booth during the conference.
JETT * CON2000 was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, The Council for Excellence in Government, and a coalition of national organizations interested in the development of technology-based training. The award winners, according to the Department of Labor, "represent the best in the nation’s workforce development arena." Raymond Bramucci, Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, U.S. Department of Labor, presented the awards to the recipients.
"All Americans deserve access to the skill they need to share in our national prosperity," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M., Herman in a statement released from the department. "These innovative programs underscore the Labor Department’s new way of conducting business under the Workforce Investment Act, which goes into effect this month." Awards were also presented at JETT * CON2000 in two other categories: Virtual Equality: Bridging the Digital Divide and Developing the 21st Century Workforce. Three awards were presented in each category. Winning programs were selected on the basis on innovation, portability of approach, efficiency/effectiveness of services, and universality of access.
Stephanie Deese, NCCCS Workforce Initiatives Director, attended the conference and accepted the award on behalf of the NCCCS. "This was a wonderful opportunity to share information about STARS with the rest of the nation," she said. Deese has already been approached for information about the program from two other states interested in developing a similar system.
H. Martin Lancaster, NCCCS System President, is extremely pleased that the ingenuity of the system is again recognized as trend setting. "We consistently provide quality training services to the people of North Carolina. I am happy that those efforts continue to be recognized as innovative and productive. This technological service continues our mission of providing the important resources necessary for the continued economic development of our state," he said.
NC STARS is the product of a partnership involving the NCCCS, the ESC, 25 local area workforce development boards and the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The initial goal was to create an Eligible Training Provider System, as required by the new Workforce Investment Act (WIA). NC STARS was developed as a fully automated, relational system design that emphasizes Internet connectivity for vendor education and training data input. The program also provides for workforce board administration of the training approval process and enables direct public access to consumer choice information. In other words, a person doing a search can log onto the system and find information about education and training resources, job availability, and certification using a quick, cost-effective and consistent process.
The new NC STARS program is live and can be accessed at www.ncstars.org. The database is an NT server-based application that allows data upload and update via both Internet electronic file transfer and direct entry. The NC STARS program allows the seamless delivery of critical information from multiple data sources to customers in a variety of relevant, easy-to-understand formats. The system officially went on-line in June, but it is constantly updated and design changes will continue for the next year.
In a statement from the Department of Labor, the NC STARS was praised as representing "…the best in building and strengthening partnerships among business, local workforce-investment boards, technology developers and program administrators to enhance the quality and range of employment and training services to workers and communities."
Deese feels the NC STARS won recognition for several reasons, but agrees it is primarily because the system is the result of a unique partnership. "The Community College System has the lead in coordinating the development of this new service and the Employment Security Commission is designing the system. Together we have created a process that streamlines services and gives training and job seekers the power of choice and informed decision-making," she added.
North Carolina’s community colleges provide excellent workforce services. For two years in a row, worker training programs provided by the NCCCS have been ranked number one in the country by national professionals who help industries choose sites for new and expanding plants. The NCCCS also received the second annual State Innovation Award from the Education Commission of the States for its unique customized training provided to business and industry in 1999.
The North Carolina Community College System, with more than 759,000 students, is the third largest community college system in the United States. The System is the state’s primary agency for delivery of job training, literacy and adult education programs.
###
RETURN TO TOP OF CURRENT PAGE
Last modified: Friday, May 20, 2011 02:19:16 PM
This page maintained by Public Affairs.