Congrats to The ROC Graduates!
Congratulations to the twelve graduating seniors from The ROC’s first pilot Cohort completing their programs in Electrical, HVAC, or Carpentry tracts. Eight of these graduates will go back to work for the companies they interned with last year and complete their Associates Degree starting Fall 2020 tuition free via Central Piedmont Community College’s (CPCC) Opportunity Scholarship program. The remaining students plan to go straight to work, most with the companies they interned with last summer.
The ROC’s COVID Program Response
The ROC staff conducted a needs assessment in early March resulting in several students receiving ROC laptops for use at home, and The ROC assisted parents to obtain low cost internet service and key community resource referrals, as needed. CPCC instructors started using online teaching platforms on March 16th. The ROC staff worked closely as teacher aids since on-line learning is very tough for “active, hands-on” students. Most of the seven week paid Summer internships (avg. $14-$15/hour) are moving forward and several new partner employers were added in 2020. The ROC provides all transportation via LIFT Concierge, professional attire (steel toe boots, khaki pants, tee shirts, gloves, etc.) plus ongoing weekly summer support.
SVP Partner Engagement
The ROC is in their second year of SVP engagement. Thanks to SVP Partners Joanne Beam, Debbie Darden, and Dawn Posey for their engagement. Joanne Beam successfully worked with The ROC Executive Director, Darren Ash, on a series of Board development activities. We are looking for additional Partners to engage with The ROC in activities such as helping the Board with oversight of an upcoming financial audit, creating a strategy for the new direct entry to work program coming out of the CMPD program this summer. We are also looking for a Lead Partner to work closely with this Investee on these initiatives. Please contact Kristin Beck if you are interested in engaging with The ROC.
