SKILLS Center News

Hello, My name is John Shannon, and I am the Director of the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center (ENCRSC), located at 261 NW Corridor Blvd. in Burton Business and Industrial Park.

The ENCRSC was designed and built to support the needs of local and regional businesses in Automotive Service, Collision Repair and Refinishing, Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Nursing, Welding, Robotics and Manufacturing, HVAC, Digital Design and Animation, Network Administration and Security and new for 2023-2024, Fire Fighter Technology. High school students have several opportunities to gain certifications and credentials in order to demonstrate their abilities and preparedness for the world of work. Students from all 7 Onslow County high schools plus the Onslow Virtual High School as well as Lejeune High School attend the courses here.

In an effort to reach out to the community and connect our students with business and industry opportunities in the region, we are hosting an evening Job Fair/Community Engagement event for our students and their parents on Thursday, June 1st.

We would like your business to be represented at this event so we can begin to build the pipeline from the high school, directly into your workplace and/or Coastal Carolina Community College.

If you have work opportunities available for either the summer or beyond, please attend and meet our students and their parents. We are also looking for future student/business internship possibilities if that is of interest to you.

Our event will begin at 6:00 pm in our Event Hall where we will celebrate those students who have successfully completed all courses in their chosen pathways and then we will transition to the Job Fair/Internship session in the Dining Area, beginning at 6:30.

Our intention for the event is to get the word out about who and where we are, what we can offer the students and the community and to open the doors to partnerships that will help build a workforce to address the many needs of Onslow County and the region.

Please follow this link and fill out the form to help us understand your business needs.

https://forms.office.com/r/15zBAL5Y3M or contact me directly at 910 989-2020, ext. 60001 with any questions.

Thank you for your time,

John A Shannon

Director – Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center

Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. For the past 20 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recognized Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) every May to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being.

Need Help?

· If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

· To learn how to get support for mental health, drug, and alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov.

· To locate treatment facilities or providers, visit FindTreatment.gov or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357).

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If you are interested in finding out more about the CTE programs we offer here at The Skills Center, please reach out to Emily Humphrey, at emily.humphrey@onslow.k12.nc.us.

Visit our site often to see what amazing things we have going on and are planning for the future.

I am a Family and Consumer Science Teacher. FACS is part of the Career and Technical Education Department. I currently teach 4 levels of Culinary Arts and Hospitality. I have been teaching for 25 years. I spent my first 10 years teaching English and the last 15 years teaching Culinary Arts. I am married and I have 3 children.

In this accelerated Culinary program, students complete each aspect of this program in 9-week segments. In the first segment, students learn all the foundational aspects of the culinary and hospitality industry through bookwork, computer research, and demonstrations. The next 9-weeks students focus on running a student-led catering business. Students also focus on mastering skills and creating a portfolio of their work. In the level 3 segment, students increase their skills and abilities. Finally, in the level 4 segment, students take a more active role in planning and executing catering and restaurant days. They also complete a portfolio to showcase their work. Level 3 and 4 students also have the opportunity to participate in SkillsUSA and ProStart Competitions.

To develop the future skilled workforce of Eastern North Carolina.

CULINARY ARTS AND HOSPITALITY I

Recommendation: FN41-Foods I is STRONGLY recommended at sending school. Interested in becoming a professional chef? Do you want to take your basic food skills to the next level? In this introductory course, you will learn food prep skills and prepare breakfast foods, soups, sandwiches, and salads. You will also learn how to serve customers in a restaurant setting.

The Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center is an integrated educational and employment resource that prepares students for high-value, in-demand career pathways and post-secondary options through advanced training and skill development.

CULINARY ARTS AND HOSPITALITY II - APPLICATIONS

Continue honing and demonstrating your chef skills in the school-based restaurant. Concentration on preparing and selling breakfast items, salads, sandwiches, quick breads and cookies.

As a team, we support and reinforce the following values:

• Strong work ethic
• Professionalism
• Communication skills
• Adaptability
• Leadership
• Ownership
• Ability to work in teams and individually
• Goal oriented
• Innovative
• Interpersonal skills

CULINARY ARTS AND HOSPITALITY III

Begin advanced food preparation techniques. You will learn menu planning and how to order the right amount of ingredients from a food service to put that menu in action. This level concentrates on making yeast breads, pastries, and desserts to sell in its school-based restaurant.

CULINARY ARTS AND HOSPITALITY IV - APPLICATIONS

Continue to advance your culinary skills preparing and selling a variety of meat, poultry, and seafood entrées served with accompaniments and sauces and yeast breads, desserts, and pastries. Students learn human resource management of a restaurant and create a portfolio of their work from the Culinary Arts and Hospitality pathway.

The North Carolina Emerging Leaders hosted the Bankers in Schools the week of April 24-28, 2023. This week-long program allows schools from across the state to invite bankers in their communities to visit classrooms and teach a 45-minute lesson on budgeting.

The North Carolina Bankers Association (NCBA) announced the formation of North Carolina Emerging Leaders, then known as the North Carolina Young Bankers (NCYB), in late 2015. NC Emerging Leaders was developed to identify and foster the professional development of those on the leadership path in North Carolina’s banking industry.

On April 26th, the Skills Center had the pleasure of meeting Natanya Chadwick and Richard Thompson with Pinnacle Financial Partners as they facilitated our budgeting workshop for over 192 Skills Center students from ALL over Onslow County and Lejeune. Thank you for spending your valuable time with us to teach us about budgeting our money!

It was a great opportunity for the Skills Center students to receive information on finances and budgeting from the banking industry. The material was interactive, unique and engaging, designed specifically for high-school aged students.

Thank you to UTI/NASCAR Technical Institute for visiting the Skills Center April 25th to introduce post-secondary options for our students to pursue!

The core programs at NASCAR Technical Institute include Automotive Technology, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining Technology, Welding Technology, HVACR, and Robotics & Automation. They also offer specialized training to help satisfy your passion. Whether you’re a motorsports or NASCAR enthusiast, or looking to gain the hands-on training and high-tech skills needed to pursue a career with one of the manufacturers featured in our programs, their North Carolina trade school campus offers advanced training to help you prepare for a job as a technician.

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success.

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Jewish Americans who helped form the fabric of American history, culture and society.

Interim reports will be passed out on May 19th to be returned by May 22nd, signed by parent or guardian. *Nursing fundamentals will NOT be participating as they follow the same schedule for interim and report cards as your regular school.

Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. From 1868 to 1970, it was observed on May 30.

Schedule a Blood, Platelet or Plasma Donation | American Red Cross (redcrossblood.org)

Blood: The most common type of donation, during which approximately a pint of 'whole blood' is given. This type of blood donation usually takes about an hour.

Power Red: A Power Red donation collects the red cells but returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor. These donors must meet specific eligibility requirements and have type A Neg, B Neg, or O blood.

Please contact your Career Development Coordinator (see below) for more information about HOW YOU CAN take classes HERE at the Skills Center!

Our programs consist of TWO 9-week courses each semester. Students are with us for two class periods per day, either in the morning or in the afternoon. Daily attendance is imperative as each day = 2 actual classes at the Skills Center. Please reach out if you have questions about our schedule or your student's attendance.

The importance of communication between school and home cannot be overstated. Research shows that students with engaged families earn higher grades and test scores, adapt more quickly, attend school more regularly, have better behavior and social skills, and go on to graduate at higher rates. Parents who have an idea of what is happening in the classroom are better equipped to help their students succeed and can align learning at home with learning at school.

Linked below are the webpages for each teacher here at the Skills Center. Please feel free to communicate with your child's teacher via email or you may reach them by calling 910.989.2020. We are all in this together for the success of each student!

• Collision Refinishing & Repair Technology - Robert Whaley
• Culinary Arts & Hospitality - Jacqueline Sharpe
• Digital Design & Animation - Frank Jones
• HVAC - Terry Braddom
• Network Administration - Kari Cobb
• Nursing Fundamentals & Practicum - Kendra Hobbs
• Robotics & Engineering - Susi Price
• Welding Technology - Michael Morton

A student asked: “I really enjoyed the class you taught prior to my taking the certification examination. Do you have any tips on how I can pass it the first time?”

First of all, congratulations to your participation and enthusiasm. I believe that you will do well on the test(s) if you follow the advice below. Although I am a fairly good test taker, I have failed more than one on the first try, yet passed due to simple persistence. I suggest the same approach for you. Failure can be a great learning experience in itself.

Following are some general comments/suggestions that might be of benefit.

1. We all learn in three ways with one of them usually being dominant: Visual, Audio and Kinesthetic (hands on).

2. The classes here at the Skills Center attempt to address all three learning methodologies.

3. Be diligent in using a high lighter to flag key concepts that will probably be on the test.

4. You should have read the manuals at least two times and then reviewed the high lighted areas two more times.

5. In taking the pretest, you got an idea of the need for timing so that you do not get bogged down in a particular question. Simply mark it and return later if you have the time.

6. Since there was math you need to have a good calculator (not your phone) to input the numbers. Remember to always run the math twice and go on if you go the same answer both times.

7. Get plenty of rest and look forward to a great learning experience.

Remember that a day or two of classroom attendance does not negate your responsibility to study and prepare for the written test.

Email: Emily.Humphrey@onslow.k12.nc.us
Website: https://www.onslow.k12.nc.us/ENCRSC
Location: 261 NW Corridor Blvd, Jacksonville, NC, USA
Phone: (910) 989-2020
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ENCRegionalSkillsCenter
Twitter: @eastern_nc