Nc employment and training association
Making a Difference
WHAT IS NCETA?
Connecting. Educating.
Strengthening NC's Workforce.
The North Carolina Employment and Training Association (NCETA) is a statewide professional association dedicated to advancing workforce development, employment, and training programs acorss North Carolina. NCETA brings together workforce professionals, education partners, non-profit organizations, state and local agencies to share knowledge, build capacity, and strengthen communities.
Through training, collaboration, and information sharing, NCETA is a trusted resources for professionals working to improve employment outcomes and economic stability throughout the state.
Training and Development
NCETA hosts training opportunities to increase and enhance your professional skills, workforce development knowledge, and network with fellow workforce professionals to share best practices. Members will receive quarterly newsletters containing updates, best practices, and opportunities to provide feedback about the great work happening in your organization.
Annual Conference
NCETA hosts an annual Spring Conference bringing together hundreds of workforce professionals to collaborate, network, and learn innovative strategies to support your customers, businesses and stakeholders.
WHO SHOULD JOIN NCETA?
NCETA is for professionals committed to building a strong, inclusive workforce system in North Carolina, including:
-
Workforce Development Professionals
Local workforce board staff, NCWorks Career Center staff, program managers, career advisors, and business services teams -
Education & Training Partners
Community colleges, universities, adult education providers, CTE leaders, and apprenticeship sponsors -
Employers & Industry Leaders
Employers engaged in hiring, training, work-based learning, apprenticeships, and talent development -
Economic & Community Development Partners
Economic developers, chambers of commerce, sector partnership leaders, and regional intermediaries -
Nonprofit & Community-Based Organizations
Organizations serving jobseekers, youth, veterans, justice-involved individuals, and individuals with barriers to employment -
Government & Public Agency Staff
State and local agencies supporting workforce, human services, vocational rehabilitation, and reentry efforts -
Consultants, Researchers & Workforce Innovators
Technical assistance providers, policy leaders, data and evaluation professionals, and emerging workforce leaders
If you’re shaping talent pipelines, advancing equitable access to opportunity, or strengthening North Carolina’s workforce system—NCETA is for you!
OUR HISTORY
The North Carolina Employment and Training Association had its beginnings in early 1967. Several directors of Neighborhood Youth corps (NYC) programs in the state attended a national meeting in March of that year in St. Louis for the purpose of learning how to operate in-school, out-of-school, and summer youth programs. At that meeting, the new Manpower Development and Training act was introduced and discussed.
During the fall of 1967, ten NYC directors met at the Sir Walter Raleigh Hotel in Raleigh and organized the Neighborhood Youth Corps Directors Association, which existed until 1970. By then, the needs of NYC staff in general had become so numerous that the directors voted to include the staff in their organizations’ meetings and to change its name to the Neighborhood Youth Corps Association. The Association continued its evolution and again, in 1975, changed its name to the North Carolina Association of Manpower Programs in recognition of the expanding needs presented by the increasing number of manpower programs statewide.
By 1977, the operation of manpower programs extended beyond the realm of Community Action Agencies, where it had begun in the late 1960s. The decision was made to bring all manpower programs under the umbrella of a single organization, so the name was changed yet again to reflect the current range of program and agencies involved in the manpower development effort. The resulting North Carolina Employment Association added to its nucleus of community-based organizations a whole new complement of agencies.
In 1973, Congress failed to reauthorize the Manpower Development and Training act in favor of the Comprehensive Employment and Training act (CETA). By 1981, CETA was surrounded by criticism and controversy, and its negative image led to a substantial decline in the Association’s membership. Only through the Board of Directors’ efforts was the life of the organization sustained.
Congress allowed CETA authorization to expire and replaced it with the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) in 1982. Through continued dedication of program operators and state policy makers, new life was breathed into the state’s employment and training initiative. All along, the North Carolina Employment and Training Association persevered in providing staff development and training opportunities for its membership.
From the early days, when round-table discussion was the primary order of meetings, the Association steadily refined its offerings into the current multi-day conference format with structured workshops and renowned presenters and speakers. Today, the Association maintains a Board comprised of a diverse group of professionals representing all levels and aspects of workforce development in North Carolina. Under their conscientious direction, the Association has a long-term commitment to “making a difference” by continuing to ensure the availability of quality, affordable and accessible staff development and training opportunities for its membership
NCETA PAST PRESIDENTS
A Rich History of Strong Leadership
- Malinda Marsh – 2018-Present
- Bob Witchger – 2014 – 2017
- Elaine Miller – 2012 – 2014
- Bob Witchger – 2008- 2012
- Janice Scarborough 2004—2008
- Sylvia Jones 2002—2004
- Brenda Cogdell 1996—2002
- Myra Allen Beatty 1992—1996
- Janice S. Scarborough 1990—1992
- Linda Pappas Parker 1986—1990
- J.D. Whitaker 1984—1986
- Janice S. Scarborough 1982-1984
- Greg Richardson 1981-1982
- Chris Antwi 1980-1981
- R.A. Clack 1978-1980
- Lester Moore 1977-1978
- L.M. Wright 1976-1977
- Roy Thomason 1974-1976
- R.A. Clack 1968-1974
- C.R. Johnson 1967-1968