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NCWorks Is Powering Opportunity, One Connection at a Time

By Cindy Stone and Avalin Inman

Walk through the doors of the NCWorks Career Center in Concord, and you will find a hub of hope, empowerment, and transformative community impact.

Under the leadership of Center Leader Denisha Nesbit and One-Stop Operator John Smith, the NCWorks Career Center is connecting individuals with employment, employers with talent, and local partners with solutions that reach beyond traditional workforce development.

Lifelong Callings: From Personal Passion to Public Service

For Denisha Nesbit, helping people isn’t just a job—it’s who she is. Born and raised in Cabarrus County, Denisha has been in roles that supported others since her very first summer job as a secretary at the local Salvation Army. “I’ve always been in a position where I was working to help people,” she reflects.

With over a decade of experience in workforce development, Denisha spent 12 years with a self-sufficiency program serving Rowan and Cabarrus counties before joining NCWorks. She first served in a business services role and eventually stepped into leadership as the Center Manager, a role where her innovation and heart for community connection have only grown.

John Smith’s path to NCWorks was less direct but equally meaningful. After serving in the U.S. Navy and earning a degree in biochemistry, John spent time in healthcare research, recruiting, and education. A layoff in 2014 brought him into an NCWorks office—not as an employee, but as someone seeking help.

That firsthand experience as a job seeker shaped his passion. After roles in training and development, John joined NCWorks in 2025 through Goodwill Industries, where he now plays a critical role in daily operations and partner coordination.

“I think there are a lot of individuals who are working a job but not making enough money—what we call workers experiencing wage insufficiency or low-income workers,” John says. “We’re here to help them find better opportunities, access training, and improve their lives.”

A One-Stop Shop for Job Seekers and Employers

NCWorks is a truly unique operation because it serves two audiences simultaneously: job seekers and employers. That dual mission is at the heart of what makes the organization such a powerful engine for community development.

“For job seekers, we help them navigate their careers and get connected with resources they may need to be successful in the workforce,” Denisha explains. “You can’t be a successful employee if you have unmet needs at home. So, we address those barriers—whether it’s transportation, education, childcare, or something else.”

At the same time, NCWorks supports local employers by helping them source qualified candidates, host job fairs, analyze labor market trends, and even develop customized training programs.

“We’re a resource that can screen and prepare candidates,” says John. “Employers spend a lot of time and money trying to find the right people. We’re right here in their backyard offering support.”

Technology + Humanity: Bridging Access In-Person and Online

Cabarrus County residents can connect with NCWorks online at www.ncworks.gov, a statewide platform where job seekers can create resumes, apply for jobs, and access labor market data. Employers can use the same portal to post jobs and review candidates.

But stepping into the center on Church Street reveals the true breadth of services available in person. From resume clinics and job fairs to veteran services, GED assistance, and youth-focused programs like NEXTGEN services and Job Corps, the center operates as a dynamic collaboration between multiple partner agencies.

“Every day looks different here,” Denisha says. “Today we’re running a resume clinic. Yesterday we hosted a job fair. And throughout the week, people can walk in and get help with all sorts of employment-related needs.”

Meeting People Where They Are—Literally

One of the most important shifts Denisha and John have helped lead is NCWorks’ commitment to serving individuals beyond the walls of the career center.

“We’re trying to reach the citizens of Cabarrus County where they are,” John says. “There are transportation challenges in this county. We need to bring services to them, not just expect them to come to us.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, NCWorks staffed satellite offices at locations like the Dream Center and the Department of Social Services to offer services to those already seeking help in other areas of life. “We mirrored what we do at the center, but in the community,” Denisha explains. “If you were there for dental work, food, or other support, you could also get connected with employment services.”

Although those outreach efforts were scaled back during the pandemic, Denisha and her team are actively exploring new ways to return to satellite service delivery in underserved pockets of the county.

Thinking Outside the Box: Unique Training Opportunities

What makes the Cabarrus County NCWorks Career Center particularly special is its creative, community-based approach to job training. Denisha designed a variety of training programs that combine skill-building with certification, employer engagement, and real employment opportunities.

One standout example: A recent construction trade academy in partnership with NCDOT. The program trained participants in CPR, first aid, OSHA safety, and heavy equipment operation—and it ended with a job fair tailored specifically to the graduates.

Thirteen candidates completed the course in Cabarrus County, and several were hired on the spot—even by employers who had initially said they weren’t hiring. “That’s the power of this work,” John says. “Once employers see the quality of the training and candidates, they change their minds.”

Other recent programs have included IT certification classes, customer service training in partnership with Goodwill, and even career exploration opportunities using virtual reality (VR) headsets to help youth explore trade careers.

“Our career exploration day with Cabarrus County Schools and CESI is a great example,” says Denisha. “Students can explore three careers using VR, then visit a local business to see it firsthand.”

Supporting Employers with Innovative Incentives

While the public often associates NCWorks with job seekers, the team works just as diligently to support the local business community. “All employers in Cabarrus County are eligible for our services,” Denisha notes.

Two standout programs are On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Work Experience placements. Through OJT, NCWorks reimburses up to 50% of a new employee’s wages during the training period—helping employers invest in candidates who may need skill-building to succeed.

Work Experience programs are similar to internships, but the candidate is paid by NCWorks while gaining real-world job experience. “It’s a great way for employers to train new staff at no cost,” Denisha explains.

As more local employers deal with aging workforces and hiring challenges, these training subsidies are crucial tools for building the workforce of tomorrow. NCWorks is also collaborating with employers to develop more apprenticeship opportunities across the region.

Workforce Development is a Community Effort

Both Denisha and John serve on community task forces and committees, from the Cabarrus County Transportation Committee to local reentry and partner coalitions. These collaborative spaces ensure NCWorks remains integrated with the broader needs of the county.

“Workforce development touches everything,” John says. “Education, housing, transportation, public safety—it’s all connected. That’s why we’re at the table for so many of these conversations.”

Denisha agrees. “We’re here to listen, learn, and make sure the services we provide truly meet the needs of our community.”

Why Cabarrus County?

When asked what makes Cabarrus County special, Denisha doesn’t hesitate: “I was born and raised here. I’ve seen it grow. We didn’t have public transportation when I was a child. Now we do. The opportunities we have today weren’t there for my grandparents. That progress makes me proud to call Cabarrus home.”

John adds, “There’s something uniquely welcoming about Cabarrus County. We’re growing rapidly, but we’ve kept our sense of community. Whether you’re in Concord, Harrisburg, or Kannapolis, there’s still a small-town spirit that makes this place feel like home.”

At the heart of this story is something uniquely Cabarrus — a deep commitment to community and a willingness to find solutions together. The work of NCWorks proves that when people come together to tackle problems creatively and compassionately, they can spark change that lifts everyone.

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