A partnership in the Piedmont Triad has secured a $125,000 grant aimed at tackling workforce reentry challenges for individuals with past criminal records, according to an announcement from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. The Piedmont Triad Regional Workforce Development Board’s Reentry Empowerment and Workforce Integration (REWI) Initiative received the grant from the NCWorks Local Innovation Fund, an initiative under the NC Job Ready program. This effort is intended to enhance career navigation services and promote inclusive hiring practices among employers in the region. The grant is part of a broader initiative to prepare North Carolina’s workforce for current and future job opportunities.
The REWI Initiative will involve training staff at NCWorks Career Centers and other community agencies to better understand programs that assist justice-involved individuals in overcoming barriers to education and employment. The project aims to improve coordination among partners, share best practices, and engage local employers to increase the number of “second chance” employers. This is aligned with North Carolina’s “Reentry2030” initiative, which was announced by Governor Cooper earlier this year. The counties served by the Piedmont Triad Regional Workforce Development Board include Forsyth, Davie, Surry, Stokes, Rockingham, Yadkin, Caswell, Davidson, Alamance, and Randolph.
The Local Innovation Fund, administered by the NCWorks Commission and the Division of Workforce Solutions within the N.C. Department of Commerce, is part of the broader First in Talent Plan. This plan seeks to prepare workers for career success, help businesses attract talented workers, and enhance community competitiveness. The source of funding for this grant is the State Fiscal Recovery Fund, a component of the federal American Rescue Plan Act, which aims to mitigate the pandemic’s economic impact and support a strong recovery.
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