The agencies designated as mandatory participants in JobLink include the local community college, JTPA, Workfirst, Vocational Rehabilitation, Employment Security Commission, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. These programs are designed to prepare completers for immediate employment as well as to link them to career ladder pathways to additional study or training that lead to higher-wage jobs. Through local research with business and industry and a joint project with the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, CPCC discovered that local employers want employees who have good work ethics, solid basic skills, a positive attitude, some work experience, content competencies, and appropriate technical application skills. Research also indicated that local employers care little about classroom grades, seat time, and academic credentials. A CPCC task force used these findings to develop four essential components for all short-term training programs.
Instruction is self-paced and computer assisted, if applicable.
Exit requirements are met before students are certified. After assessment in reading, writing, speech, math, and other appropriate basic skills, instruction mirrors specific industry standards in each of the 12 program areas. Exit requirements are met before students are certified. Either through traditional instruction or locally developed video coursework, students are instructed in work values, workplace image and etiquette, adaptability, teamwork, interpersonal skills, attitude, time management, ethics, and conflict resolution. In addition, each program includes the practicality of immediate employment opportunities in the local market.