High Country Workforce Development Board

10/27/2026

Congratulations to Ashe Career Advisor, Annette Bednosky for your services to job seekers!

Congratulations to our teammates who were recognized during the Partnership Conference as the winners of the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program's Success Story contest! Just in time for Workforce Development Professionals Month, we are proud to spotlight these Career Advisors for their work to help North Carolinians.

Read the stories here:
https://www.commerce.nc.gov/blog/2026/10/27/saluting-dws-teammates-and-their-resea-success-stories

Pictured, from left: Taniesha Hardy-Thompson (first place) and Annette Bednosky (second place). Not pictured: Monique Woods (third place).

NC Division of Employment Security NCWorks Training Center NCWorks Career Center-Wayne County NCWorks Career Center of Ashe & Alleghany NCWorks Career Center Hoke County North Carolina Department of Commerce North Carolina Association of Workforce Development Boards

10/19/2026

Congratulations to our two award winners for the Governor’s NCWorks Awards of Distinction for 2026 recognized last week in Greensboro! 🏆🏆

★Veatrice Johnson, Career Advisor at NCWorks Career Center of Wilkes for Outstanding Customer Service in Workforce Development

★Sara Gomez, of Spruce Pine for Outstanding Teen in Workforce Development with NCWorks Career Center - Avery, Mitchell & Yancey Counties

https://www.commerce.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2026/10/16/governor-stein-honors-workforce-development-standouts-ncworks-awards

Mayland Community College
Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC

10/12/2026

Happy Workforce Development Professionals Month to all our staff and partners across the region! Thanks for all you do!

October is Workforce Development Professionals Month, and we’re excited to celebrate the NCWorks professionals who make a difference every day across North Carolina!

From helping job seekers find their next opportunity to supporting employers and strengthening local communities, NCWorks staff play an important role in building a stronger workforce for our state.

This month, we’re highlighting the dedicated professionals who go above and beyond to serve their communities. Join us in celebrating the people who make NCWorks possible!

10/12/2026

Job fair this afternoon at Mitchell County Chamber/EDC!

TODAY!

10/01/2026

Enjoyed the day hearing about successful digital opportunity initiatives and sharing on a panel at the Digital Opportunity Gathering with the Institute for Emerging Issues in Durham yesterday! The panel, How Workforce Shows Up in Rural NC (Both East and West), highlighted various efforts across NC.

Photo: Jennifer Marlow, Branch Manager, Alleghany Public Library; Ben Farmer, Planning & Development Services Director, Upper Coastal Plain COG; Tatiana Magee, GIS Tech & Planner, High Country COG; Misty Bishop-Price, Director, Workforce Development, High Country COG; Margaret Sharpe, President, Tri County Industries (TCI Works); Bridget Phifer, CEO and Founder, Living Better Life

09/23/2026

RISE Caldwell-Watauga continues to grow with great work happening between students and employers building the talent pipeline! Congratulations to our WDB members Tara Brossa and Joe Furman on this successful program!

RISE Caldwell-Watauga connects high school students with real job opportunities in Caldwell and Watauga counties of North Carolina.

09/16/2026

Last week we welcomed Tasha Rountree with Blue Ridge Energy as our newest Workforce Development Board member! Special thanks to North Carolina Department of Commerce Labor & Economic Analysis Division for our labor market overview presentation! Reach out if you would like additional labor market data!

09/15/2026

Thanks for the shout out and what a great testament of the great work related to our hurricane recovery grant!

09/04/2026

The High Country WDB will hold its regular meeting next week on Thursday, September 10th!

09/01/2026

Celebrating partnerships and community successes at the Mission Deep Dive last week with Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC!

Thanks for your partnership in our NCWorks service delivery system!


North Carolina Association of Workforce Development Boards