ECWDB Success Stories

Carteret County WIOA Success Story

Kala Chicas : Carteret County Success Story

Kala had always been a hard worker, but her low-wage jobs left her feeling unfulfilled and struggling to keep up with rising costs. Determined to make a change, she dreamed of a career that would provide both personal satisfaction and a livable wage.

In the summer of 2022, Kala took a decisive step when she visited the Big Rock/NCWorks Career Center. There, she learned about a federal grant that could cover the cost of her books and tuition. This was a turning point for Kala, who had just been accepted into the highly competitive Radiography Program at Carteret Community College.

Finding a way to pay for her education had been a significant hurdle. When Kala discovered that the WIOA Program could help, she was overjoyed and relieved. With financial worries eased, she could fully focus on her studies and her future career.

Throughout her time in the Radiography Program, Kala tackled her coursework with enthusiasm, eager to learn and excel. Her hard work and perseverance paid off as she progressed, gaining the skills and knowledge needed for her new career.

With the support of the Big Rock/NCWorks Career Center and the WIOA Program, Kala was able to pursue her educational and career goals, paving the way for a stable and fulfilling future. Her story is an inspiring reminder that with the right support and commitment to hard work, anything is possible.

Carteret County WIOA Success Story

Nyri Barrett : Carteret Success Story

Nyri Barrett moved to Beaufort, NC a year ago to live with his mother in hopes of finding a good job. He found himself working odd and end jobs for friends. Though he enjoyed the work, Nyri always dreamed of something different—a career that offered freedom and adventure. He had long admired truck drivers, who seemed to navigate life’s highways with a sense of purpose and autonomy. He decided it was time to chase that dream. He wanted to obtain his Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and start a career as a long-haul truck driver making a sustainable living wage. His decision was not made lightly; he knew it would involve a lot of hard work and dedication. But Nyri was ready to embrace the challenge.

Preparing for the Journey: His next stop was The Big Rock/NCWorks Career Center to meet with a WIOA Career Advisor. The Career Advisor told him about the WIOA grant and Nyri was surprised that he qualified. With the help of a Career Advisor and WIOA, Nyri was able to embark on a journey he never dreamed he could do.

Overcoming Obstacles: The practical training was intense. Nyri spent countless hours behind the wheel, learning to handle a big rig with precision. He practiced maneuvers like backing up and parallel parking, which were critical for the skills test. The instructors were supportive, offering guidance and constructive feedback. Despite the challenges, Nyri’s determination never wavered even when someone stole his bike from the CDL training lot one night while he was on a night drive with his instructor. The written test was challenging, but Nyri’s hard work paid off. He passed with flying colors. Next came the skills test and road test. Nyri took a deep breath and gave it his best effort. He executed the maneuvers with precision and handled the road test with confidence.

Achieving Success: Weeks later, Nyri received the news he had been waiting for: he had passed all the tests and obtained his CDL license. The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming. His hard work and perseverance had paid off.

A New Chapter: Nyri’s journey to obtaining his CDL license was not without its challenges, but it was a testament to his dedication and resilience. His story inspired many in his small town and beyond, showing that with hard work and determination, even the most ambitious dreams can become a reality. Nyri is interviewing for his first truck driving job in Raleigh, NC next week. Good Luck Nyri! WIOA and The Big Rock /NCWorks Career Center support you all the way!

Driven by Determination: A Student’s Journey to CDL Success

John Johnson : Lenoir County Success Story

By Ashlyn Crocker
John Johnson of Kinston made sacrifices that very few people would to earn his Commercial Driver’s License from Lenoir Community College, but his determination to achieve his goals overshadowed any fears of failure.

“I had been battling to get into the CDL program for over two years, but with different circumstances like finances and other things that needed to get done, it took a long time for me to get there,” says Johnson. After recovering from an injury that took him out of work for a year, he was ready to face the battle head-on and reach for his goals.

“It was a difficult thing to have to do because you can't work a full-time job and go to school at the same time. For me, I am plan A and plan B. There is no one to fall back on but me.” Johnson made the difficult decision to give up his housing and live at the Friends of the Homeless Shelter in Kinston during his time at LCC. “I knew that I had a choice to make. If I stayed at the shelter, I wouldn't have any rent to pay and I would be able to take the classes to earn my CDL.”

Johnson has spent all sixty-four years of his life in Kinston working various jobs such as painting and selling cars, but his passion to earn his CDL grew with the rising demand for truck drivers. “There are so many businesses that are looking for drivers. The DMV has gotten so involved in what it takes to get CDLs, so it makes it harder for more people to get certified,” he says. The certification process for obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License is not an easy task. Complete with training, written testing, and skills testing, Johnson knew that this would take a great deal of patience. “The testing was difficult. 275 possible questions could be on our final test. The test itself was 100 questions. I only missed 1 of those questions.”

“The training is crucial to the safety of myself and others on the highway. You are risking someone else’s life with every error that you make,” Johnson says when recounting his training classes. “What LCC did was give me the preparation that I needed to begin this journey, and they did an awesome job at that.”

The staff in LCC’s truck driving program were essential to helping Johnson achieve his goal. He says, “Everyone has bad days and when you are handling a large vehicle, it takes a great deal of patience from the staff and the student. I have to applaud everyone for the part that each of them played in teaching me. It’s an experience I'll never forget.” Johnson is grateful for the invaluable guidance provided by LCC’s staff and faculty including Karen Lombardi, John McKnight, Robert Beeker, Kevin Hall, and Lisa Hightower.

LCC’s Truck Driving Instructor Karen Lombardi says, “He was dedicated to earning his CDL so that he could make a better life for himself. He always showed up on time, had a positive attitude no matter the situation he was going through, and would always go above and beyond to help anyone in need.”

John Johnson made sacrifices that few would endure to obtain his CDL. “Some things in life don’t come easy. They come by hardship and a lot of hard work. I had to be dedicated to the goal that I had been aiming to accomplish for some time,” he says. “I would like to thank Greggory Dunk and the Friends of the Homeless-Shelter at 112 North Independence Street who provide temporary housing and essential resources to families and individuals in need.” For more information on LCC’s Truck Driver Training, please contact Karen Lombardi at (252) 527-6223, ext. 188 or email kmlombardi84@lenoircc.edu.

Meet Mauricio!

Mauricio : Carteret Success Story

Mauricio grew up in a violent gang neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, where there were few growth opportunities, and his safety was always a concern. When the opportunity arose, he moved to North Carolina but only found low-wage and physically demanding jobs. Mauricio realized education was his way out of his financial struggles and found a passion in Radiography at Carteret Community College. Mauricio came to NCWorks in April 2022, seeking assistance to help with his Radiography training. When he enrolled in the WIOA program, Mauricio was a single parent, finding it difficult to balance his work-life-school demands.

Once WIOA was able to help him with the needed financial assistance, he reduced his work schedule to part-time and was able to manage all his personal, school, and life responsibilities. He came to the Career Center one day excited that he had rediscovered his love for Radiography! On top of that, he enhanced his support system and found balance. Mauricio completed his training in May 2023 and passed his National Registry of Radiologic Technologists Certification. He then immediately found employment at Onslow Memorial Hospital. Mauricio plans to continue his educational training in Computerized Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Mauricio is grateful that he has earned the opportunity to work in an environment where he can help others and positively impact his community. He has reported to his Career Advisor that now instead of “dodging bullets,” he can help people in distress.

The NextGen Youth Program Helped Travis Find a Promising Future

Travis : Lenoir Success Story

Twenty-year-old Travis of Snow Hill has a new job with a promising career in his future, and it all started at Lenoir Community College (LCC). Career Advisor Tracey Price met Travis while he was attending High School Equivalency classes at LCC’s Greene County Center and thought he’d be a perfect fit for the NextGen, Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Program at LCC.

“I mentioned it to Travis several times, but he just wasn’t interested, she said. “WIOA is designed to assist out of school youth ages 16-24 in career exploration, financial assistance with training cost, paid work experience, and support services based on individual needs. The goal of the program is for youth to attain employment become good employees and be financially independent.”

Price said she was talking to a co-worker, Dennis Liles, when she discovered he knew Travis and his family very well. Liles agreed that Travis would be a good fit for the Next Gen program, and he offered to reach out to Travis’s parents about the opportunities the program offered.

In that same conversation with Price, Liles discussed forming a partnership with the Town of Snow for youth to explore careers, providing them with paid work experience jobs. “It was from that conversation, I found out the Mr. Liles was also the mayor of Snow Hill, and we formed a partnership between the College and the Town,” Price said.

With some encouragement, Travis enrolled in the NextGen WIOA Youth program in August 2022.  “With some guidance, Travis set four goals in the program,” Price said. “He wanted to attain his High School Equivalency Diploma, attain his national Career Readiness Certificate, complete a paid work experience successfully, and obtain his driver’s license.”

Travis completed all his goals in record time, and in addition to that, while working with the Town he decided he would like to pursue a career in wastewater management.

“After working with the Town of Snow Hill, I became interested in the wastewater field and the opportunities it has to offer,” Travis said. “I learned new skills through this work experience and through the program.”

Because of Travis’s work ethic, dependability, and interest in becoming a wastewater operator, he was hired full time by the Town, in May 2023.  He plans to enroll in wastewater classes to become a certified operator as soon as possible.

“This is a training WIOA can pay for,” Price said, “but due to the timing of the class that is available the Town has offered to pay for his training. Travis’ story shows that hard work, and dedication does pay off. And the power of networking, people and agencies pulling together is an awesome way to help young people succeed.”

“I am so thankful for Mr. Liles getting involved and encouraging me to make a great choice to enroll in the NextGen program,” Travis said. “The mentoring I received from all the instructors and staff at LCC, and the knowledge I gained from my co-workers & my supervisor, Mr. (Drake) Robart, all played a part in my success. I thank God for making this all come together, from the work experience to landing a job with the Town of Snow Hill. I am grateful.”