By Emily Granholm
I met this week with Freda Buchanan, the talent development coordinator at NCWorks located in the Lockhart Taylor Center in Wadesboro. She provided me with a little insight into what it’s like to help Anson County citizens find work. (That’s her, above left, pictured with Misty Ray, talent engagement specialist at NCWorks.)
Freda has worked in her role for four and a half years and has helped many residents find a job. She handles the workforce labeled as “adult dislocated” – primarily workers who are misplaced due to company layoffs, but also those who are exploring other career options – offering them advice and helping with interviewing techniques, resumes, etc. Freda says she usually handles a caseload of about 50 people.
There’s a really cool program called Anson Advantage that pays for college for anyone who is an Anson County resident, helping them obtain their associate’s degree through South Piedmont Community College. It’s worth looking into if you’re an Anson County resident who wants to switch careers or start the one you’ve always wanted. NCWorks partners with SPCC on all types of programs and associate’s degrees such as the CNA to RN, welding/mechanic professionals, business administration and more! Freda also helps veterans adjust back to civilian life and find a job that works for them. And NCWorks also serves the youth population, ages 16-24, through the NEXTGEN program.
Freda and NCWorks also host a handful of events and job fairs. On Nov. 13, for instance, there will be a re-entry workshop for former offenders. And every other week, there’s a career fair. Make sure to like them on Facebook to see what’s going on.