OUR NEWS
What we've been up to...
CONNECTING YOUTH TO BUSINESSES
On October 8, 2025, representatives from Triangle Brick met with Anson Middle School 8th-grade students to discuss career opportunities in manufacturing, marking the official kickoff of the Anson Future Workforce Development Program.
This new initiative brings local businesses into classrooms to raise career awareness and inspire students to explore opportunities in high-demand industries. The program is a collaboration between Anson County Schools, the Anson County Chamber of Commerce, and Our Future in UNiSON.
BUSINESS/FINANCE ROUNDTABLE
On October 20, UNiSON hosted the Business/Finance Roundtable at South Piedmont Community College, bringing together 52 education and industry leaders to strengthen business and finance career pathways across Union and Anson counties. Skillfully facilitated by Pat Kahle, the session focused on aligning training with industry needs, addressing skill gaps, and building partnerships to support a stronger local workforce.
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE COMMUNITY
On April 5, 2025, UNiSON hosted the Investing in Our Future Community Event at Our Lady of Lourdes. The event brought together organizations including Common Heart, Catholic Charities, the City of Monroe, Monroe Police Department, Monroe Fire Department, Latin Americans Working for Achievement, the Union County Health Department, and South Piedmont Community College. More than 60 community members participated, connecting with local resources and partners dedicated to strengthening families and building a brighter future.
CREDENTIAL ENGINE GRANT
UNiSON was awarded the Credential Registry Grant, supporting efforts to expand access to clear, transparent education and career information across our region. Through this grant, pathways and credentials offered by Anson County Schools, Union County Public Schools, South Piedmont Community College, and Wingate University are being added to the national Credential Registry—a publicly accessible resource that helps students, families, and employers understand available learning and workforce opportunities.
What our workgroups have been doing...
Union County Libraries now have a Literacy Collection with books for Adult Learners and Tutors, thanks to the UNiSON Adult Literacy workgroup. This collection is available to students and faculty in Anson and Union counties.
The Labor Market Alignment Workgroup is conducting a comprehensive labor market needs assessment for Union and Anson counties, identifying career pathways that align K-12, higher education, and training with high-wage jobs. They will focus on top occupations in Healthcare, Business, Manufacturing, Construction, and Computer Science, validating their findings through local employer focus groups to ensure they meet workforce needs.
UNiSON established a strategic partnership with the City of Monroe and the Good Jobs Great Cities – MonroeWorks initiative. Through the Community Connections and Labor Market Alignment workgroups, UNiSON is connecting community members with the resources and opportunities provided by this partnership.
The Community Connections Workgroups highlight monthly community organizations and institutions that support residents considering or pursuing education. They have featured the Transportation Department from Anson and Union counties, Common Heart, and Anson Care Network, among others.
