Collaboration with Economic Development Professionals in the Region

August 21, 2017

The Workforce Development Department at Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments is fortunate to have cultivated good working relationships with the Economic Development Professionals in the region, which includes EDC Directors and Community College Business & Industry Directors.  We do this in part by directing funds, made available through the Workforce Innovative Opportunity Act, to execute programs that make a real difference for people and businesses in our community. We also do it by guiding the efforts of North Carolina’s NCWorks system in the Kerr-Tar region. This resource gives workers and employers access to information, training and other services from all our partnership organizations through a single, convenient location.

Over the past 13 years, the relationship with our Economic Development partners has evolved from merely providing Labor Market Information upon request, to conducting joint visits with EDC Directors and Community College Representatives to existing industries to determine training and labor needs and collectively working to find ways to assist businesses in the region.  The Community College typically takes the lead in developing a Customized Training Plan for companies; where as Kerr-Tar Workforce staff will assist in recruiting, screening, and planning hiring events to streamline onboarding of new employees.  Workforce staff also assist companies in defraying training costs for new hires.   Economic Development Professionals in the region have also used the above partnership strategies in recruitment efforts for new businesses.

Kerr-Tar COG Workforce Staff have been increasingly involved in meeting with EDC Board members in the region to educate them on the Workforce Development structure between the Workforce Development Board and Community Colleges.  In response to overwhelming support from Person County Economic Development and Piedmont Community College, we have been able to provide recruiting and training resources to several Person County employers including GKN, P&A Industrial Fabrication, Eaton Corporation and more.

Workforce Development works hand-in-hand with economic development to ensure that the region has a globally competitive workforce that encourages business growth or relocation.  Recruiting businesses to the region is vital to the economy, and the region must be prepared to compete for good employers on a continual basis.  The Kerr-Tar Workforce Development is a key partner in the success of economic development in the region. 

Vincent Gilreath has served Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments Workforce Development Board as Workforce Development Director since 2004.  A native of Oxford, where he still resides, he graduated from Morehouse College, and later obtained his MPA from UNC-Chapel Hill.  He is married to the former Teresa Smith, and has two children.  Being responsible for overseeing funds to serve businesses and jobseekers in the region, he has self described himself as being passionate about assisting businesses get the best talent to keep them profitable and in the region, and matching job seekers to relevant careers in the region.