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State Government
Labor Department And Home Builders Combine To Recruit Future Trades People PDF Print E-mail
State Government
By Administrator   
Thursday, 03 March 2022 17:30
Officials from the N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) and the N.C. Home Builders Educational and Charitable Foundation (Foundation) gathered for a contract signing event to officially mark the establishment of the Be Pro Be Proud pilot program. The program will be administered by the Foundation with oversight from NCDOL.
 
The goal of the Be Pro Be Proud program is to stimulate student, parent and educator interest in technical professions within the construction, manufacturing, transportation and utility industries. The program utilizes a custom-built mobile workshop trailer offering hands-on experience with skilled professionals to middle and high school students statewide.
 
“When I was asked if Be Pro Be Proud could be housed under the N.C. Department of Labor and saw what a program like this could do for our state’s workforce, I said yes,” Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson said. “In my capacity as Labor Commissioner, I want to help in any way that I can. This project will help build opportunities for the future of North Carolina’s workforce and I believe that future is bright.”
 
Interested students will be offered opportunities to pursue specific interest through hands-on learning, volunteering, and participating in networking events with potential job and postsecondary school recruiters. Be Pro Be Proud will also work with the N.C. Trucking Association to support a workforce development program to increase operators and fill a crucial skills gap across the state. 
 
“Labor is the number one issue for our industry right now, and Be Pro Be Proud is one meaningful way for us to move the needle in the right direction,” Tim Minton, N.C. Home Builders Association Executive Vice President said. “We are excited to play an active role in this partnership, as we know this program will put North Carolina ahead of the curve in terms of addressing the needs of the workforce.” 
 
Funds for the North Carolina program were included in the 2021 Appropriations Act (Session Law 2021-180). Governor Cooper signed the bill into law in November 2021. Additional partners in the program may include the N.C. Community Colleges System Office, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the N.C. Department of Commerce, the myFutureNC Commission, and other industry associations and job recruiters. 
 
“It has been a great opportunity to work with the N.C. Department of Labor and Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson on this project,” Representative Jason Saine said. “Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson is an innovator, and I knew this project should go to the labor department. Be Pro Be Proud will prepare our state’s workforce for the future.” 
 
Be Pro Be Proud is a workforce development initiative changing the perceptions around technical careers through a mobile workshop tour that features virtual reality simulations that allow students to step into a life of a technical professional. Be Pro Be Proud began in 2016 as an initiative of the Arkansas State Chamber / Associated Industries of Arkansas and has since completed 994 tour stops across 561 cities in Arkansas, Georgia and South Carolina. The effort to bring Be Bro Be Proud to North Carolina will increase visibility of technical careers and training in the state. 
 
“I appreciate the opportunity to be here representing Be Pro Be Proud in my home state,” Hunter Blohm, Deputy General Counsel and Director of Federal Programs, Be Pro Be Proud, said. “I am excited for the impact Be Pro Be Proud is going to have changing perceptions of skilled professions in North Carolina.” 
 
Executive Order Cuts Off State Ties To Russia PDF Print E-mail
State Government
By Donna Martinez   
Thursday, 03 March 2022 13:22

Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 251 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that directs state government agencies and departments to review all existing contracts and operations and to terminate any agreements or operations that directly benefit Russian entities.

“The invasion of Ukraine is an attack on a free people. This order sends a strong message and helps ensure no public dollars or operations from North Carolina will benefit Russia and its unjustified aggression,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Our state stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they fight courageously against a tyrant to defend their country, their democracy and their freedom.”

The Executive Order covers all state government agencies and departments over which the Governor has executive authority, as well as state entities for which the Governor appoints the chief executive or a majority of the board members.

Other state entities and local governments in North Carolina are strongly encouraged to adopt similar policies, including divesting from Russian assets to ensure that public dollars and operations do not benefit Russia and avoiding new contracts with Russian entities. 

This order includes, but is not limited to:

  • Alcohol Sales: The North Carolina ABC Commission is directed to review its list of approved products for any produced by Russian Entities and to suspend the approval of such products as quickly as practicable. 
  • Purchase & Contract: The Department of Administration, Division of Purchase & Contract, is directed to terminate any such contracts with Russian entities as quickly as practicable if they are identified.

Currently available information from the North Carolina ABC Commission suggests that three alcohol brands – Hammer & Sickle, Beluga, and Russian Standard – would be subject to this Executive Order.
 
Gov. Pat McCrory's Public Schedule For Thursday, October 30, 2014 PDF Print E-mail
State Government
By Administrator   
Thursday, 30 October 2014 04:59

RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - Following is Gov. Pat McCrory's public schedule for Thursday, October 30, 2014, as released by his office.

8:15 a.m.
N.C. CEO Forum
North Ridge Country Club
Ballroom
6612 Falls of Neuse Road
Raleigh

OPEN to credentialed press only.
Last Updated on Thursday, 30 October 2014 05:04
 
State Medicaid Contract Scrutinized By Auditors PDF Print E-mail
State Government
By Administrator   
Tuesday, 13 December 2011 15:19

RALEIGH - State auditors are questioning how a contract to overhaul and operate the claims processing system for North Carolina's Medicaid program became bogged down with cost overruns and a nearly two-year delay.

 

State Auditor Beth Wood's office is examining the state's Medicaid Management Information System office and a $265 million contract awarded to Computer Sciences Corp. The project was supposed to be operational this year. A draft of Wood's report obtained by the Associated Press says the project now will be 22 months late and exceed initial cost estimates by $320 million.

 

The audit draft report says the Medicaid office did not appear to use controls to be reasonably assured the project would be on time and on budget.

 

State officials overseeing the project spoke Tuesday to a legislative committee.
 


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