Workshop Dates:                 Sept. 23-24, 2010 Nov. 4-5, 2010 March 3-4, 2011 Due to the fact enrollment is confined to 20 participants per workshop, no seats can be reserved for persons unable to commit to the entire workshop time schedule. All workshops begin Thursday at 1:00 PM-5:30 PM and begin Friday at 9:00 AM-1:00 PM.

Workshop Descriptions:

1) Establishing the Need for Adult Services

This session explores the history and evolution of community colleges and their traditional focus on the needs of younger students seeking their first careers.  Attention is given to steps which community colleges must take to serve the needs older workers seeking retraining, especially displaced workers.

2) Connecting to the Needs of Adult Services

This session reviews the long term role of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) in serving displaced workers within its service area, while creating a replicable model program.  In addition, the session looks at how communities can identify and support new and expanding industry.

3) The R3 Center Client Experience

This session provides an in-depth overview of the R3 Center - a community based career services program dedicated to serving the needs of displaced workers and the underemployed.  Attention is given to the critical importance of developing and nurturing community partnerships with other community agencies engaged in training and job placement

4)  Applying the Common Client Method

This session takes the position that displaced workers are best served by community agencies sharing information about these clients so as to maximize efficiency and minimize overlap and duplication.  Clients of the R3 Center provide testimonials regarding the track record of the R3 Center and its partners in reducing their trauma and providing positive direction.

5) Developing an Accountability Plan

This session explains the rationale behind the development of an accountability plan to identify and measure the benefits derived by the R3 Center clients.  Participants are provided guidelines and support materials to assist in the creation or improvement of their own approach to outcomes measurement.

6) The Instructional Response

This session describes the comprehensive instructional response of RCCC to the retraining needs of displaced workers in the curriculum, continuing education and career skills areas.   Attention is also given to how new programs and services can be developed in response to new and expanding industry.

7) Moving Towards an Integrated & Sustainable Model

This session describes RCCC's plans for developing and implementing a different kind of community college "One-Stop Center," which specifically targets displaced workers as a major client group.   Suggestions are provided to participants regarding how other communities can consider development of their own sustainable model.

8) Workshop Wrap-up

The wrap-up session introduces the RBI network and how participants can maintain contact with other workforce professionals.  A primary benefit is the opportunity to explore on an ongoing basis “best practices” which work with displaced workers.

Once you have completed a workshop you will receive an email with log-in information.  This will allow you to access session materials, videos, and communication tools.  To access the Online Community click on the following link:  RBI Online Community.