VGCC Staff Members Honored with Excellence Awards

Two members of the staff of Vance-Granville Community College’s Workforce Investment Act program were recently recognized for excellence.

Sara Wester, manager of the N.C. Employment Security Commission office in Henderson and a member of the VGCC board of trustees, presented JobLink excellence awards to Youth Case Manager Melissa Ayscue and WIA administrative assistant Willie Mae Foster Hill on Jan. 29. Wester said the pair had been nominated at a meeting of the local JobLink management team, and she praised them for their excellent customer service and for going “above and beyond” what was expected. The JobLink partners agreed that Ayscue and Hill should be recognized, particularly for their outstanding contributions to the re-chartering process for the Vance County JobLink Career Center.

JobLink is a partnership between VGCC and local and state government agencies, including the Employment Security Commission. JobLink Career Centers are user-friendly facilities across North Carolina, which provide job seekers, training seekers and employers access to a variety of employment and training services all under one roof. JobLink Career Centers are located in Henderson, Louisburg, Warrenton and Oxford.

The WIA program is named for the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, federal legislation that provides training and employment opportunities for eligible adults to either enter, re-enter or remain in the labor force. Funds for the program are administered locally by the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments. The program provides funds for tuition, supplies, books and travel assistance to eligible people who live in VGCC’s four-county area. The WIA (formerly JTPA) program has been active at VGCC for 25 years. In that time, the department has provided quality training and employment opportunities to over 2,000 area residents, according to WIA director Sylvia Jones.

Above: Sara Wester (center), manager of the N.C. Employment Security Commission office in Henderson, presents JobLink excellence awards to Melissa Ayscue (left) and Willie Mae Foster Hill (right) in the WIA department offices on VGCC’s main campus. (VGCC photo)