KANNAPOLIS ó Rising unemployment rates in Cabarrus and Rowan counties could lead to more clients seeking the services of the R3 Career Center in downtown Kannapolis.
Located at 164 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., the R3 Center is a career development office established by Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to assist workers who are unemployed or under-employed. The center’s mission is built on three Rs ó refocusing on individual skills and interests, retraining and reemployment.
Since it opened in early 2007, the center has served more than 1,900 clients. Those clients have made more than 4,800 visits to the center, and so far this year, the center has averaged 138 new clients a month.
In July, the unemployment rate in Cabarrus County increased to 6.4 percent, up from 5.7 percent in June. In Rowan County, the July unemployment rate jumped to 7.9 percent, up from 6.3 percent in June.
Both counties followed a statewide trend. North Carolina’s jobless rate increased from 6.2 percent to 6.8 percent. From June to July, the number of people searching for jobs in North Carolina increased by about 44,500 ó the largest one-month jump in 25 years.
The community college encourages Cabarrus and Rowan residents to take advantage of R3 Center services. The center helps adult workers assess and profile their skills, aptitudes, training and future career interests to develop a plan.
The center also offers numerous workshops each month on topics such as interview techniques, resume writing, job-hunting tips, preparing for job loss, looking for work at age 50 and older, using computers in job searches and personality assessments. All R3 Center services are free.
“We’re pleased so many people have heard about the R3 Center and have received assistance from the center’s staff,” Jeanie Moore, Rowan-Cabarrus’ vice president of continuing education programs, said in a press release.
“The R3 Center is bridging the gap many citizens in Rowan and Cabarrus counties have felt as they attempt to restart or redirect their careers.”
Through the R3 Center, the college tries to help local residents better understand today’s job market and “become more sophisticated in their job-searching skills,” Moore said.
The R3 Center makes referrals to other workforce development agencies, including the Centralina Workforce Development Board, JobLink Career Centers of Cabarrus and Rowan counties, N.C. Employment Security Commission and other area community colleges.
“Today’s employers are seeking candidates for technical jobs and careers, and preparation is important,” Moore said in the release. “In the current economy, job seeking is a highly competitive process. We want to ensure our local citizens are well-equipped in developing their resumes and maximizing their opportunities in the application and interview process.
“… The first step is simply to come and see what’s available at RCCC.”
The R3 Center is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. For more information about the R3 Center and its services, call 704-216-7201, or go online to the center’s Web site, www.rowancabarrus .edu/r3center/.