CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County leaders wrapped up day two of their annual retreat Thursday, focusing on improving workforce development and upward mobility.
To find ways to grow, first, county elected leaders and staff members looked at what challenges the community is facing.
There are a lot of resources to help people get jobs in the area, but one of the biggest problems county commissioners pointed to is the people who need these services the most don’t know about them.
Charlotte Works offers skills training, resumé help, and connects people with employers who are hiring.
However, many of the people facing barriers, like lack of education, poverty, and having a criminal record, aren’t accessing these resources. Commissioners said the county needs to do a better job of marketing the services and bringing them to people in underserved areas and who are facing homelessness.
"A lot of those people don’t have access to the internet, they don’t have a way to apply," Commissioner Pat Cotham said. "They wouldn’t even know how to do it."
Another challenge job seekers are facing is artificial intelligence. Many companies use AI and automation to help them sift through the hundreds of job applications they receive.
The CEO of Charlotte Works Anna London said many qualified candidates are missing out on opportunities because their applications are getting eliminated during the automated hiring process.
"Many of those people that are applying for that job, could be eligible," London said. "They could have the skill set but because of AI or automating the applicant tracking system, it is going to kick out every application or resume that is not in those bullet points of how [the company has] set the parameters."
Automation is a vital tool for many employers, but commissioners are asking the county to find more ways to connect them with talent face-to-face, especially for those who don't have internet access.
London said Charlotte Works is currently working with nonprofits to streamline all of their online services and job listings into one centralized portal for job seekers.
The county offers employment services at its two community resource centers, which were strategically built in areas with higher poverty rates in West Charlotte and near Sugar Creek.
In early February, the county is hosting in-person job readiness workshops in the Beatties Ford and Commonwealth communities. Then, on Feb. 21, it’s hosting a career expo at Central Piedmont Community College for manufacturing, construction and maintenance jobs.
The county has more details about the workshops and career expo, including how to register, on its website.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.