PTRC staff outline workforce programs available to Davidson County employers and residents

PTRC workforce-development staff told the Davidson County Board of Commissioners on May 1 that a portfolio of federal- and state-supported programs is available to businesses and residents across a 10-county PTRC footprint, including Davidson County.

Jacob Thompson, PTRC business services coordinator for Davidson County, and colleagues described services meant to help employers recruit and train workers, and to move residents into jobs. They summarized on-the-job training (OJT) wage-reimbursement rules, an incumbent-worker training grant, labor-market data services, NCWorks job-posting support and PTRC’s mobile units for outreach and enrollment.

Key program details from the presentation: - On-the-job training (OJT): Funded through WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act); reimbursements can offset the employer’s cost of onboarding workers with barriers to employment. As an example, panelists said an employer paying $16 per hour might receive a partial wage reimbursement (presenters described an $8-per-hour reimbursement in an example) up to a capped amount or time (the consultants described a $4,000 or six-month limit in the example during the presentation). OJT referrals can come directly from NCWorks career centers or via employer referral for eligibility screening. - Incumbent worker training grant: PTRC staff said this grant helps employers cover third-party training costs (CDL, CNA and similar certificates); the presenter said there is a $60,000 lifetime cap per entity for that funding stream, and that training providers must be approved under NCWorks rules when not using the community college. - Job posting and outreach: PTRC will post employer openings on NCWorks and can help place county job postings so resumes can be routed to employers. PTRC also offers labor-market reporting and can bring mobile units for resume workshops, hiring events and on-site enrollment at employer or community locations.

The presenters said funding streams are federal and state (WIOA and state-administered funds through PTRC), and that the regional board works across 10 counties, which affects how allocations and assistance are managed. Commissioners and staff asked for simplified handouts for employers and follow-up on how PTRC could engage local consortia such as apprenticeship groups.

Ending: Commissioners welcomed PTRC’s offer to bring the mobile unit to Lexington, Thomasville and Denton for resume workshops and targeted employer outreach; PTRC staff said they will provide a concise program brochure and follow up with countyHuman Resources and economic‑development staff.