LCC WIOA Program assists student in achieving her career

While working in a commission-based job, Michelle Hill of Greene County found herself spending more money than she was making trying to build her clientele and knew she needed to find a better alternative. She sought help from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult program at Lenoir Community College. 

The WIOA program, through the NCWorks Career Center, was established to assist adults and dislocated workers in retraining and obtaining employment and it offers a mix of employment, training, and job placement services. Participants may access individual training accounts to assist with tuition, fees, books, supplies, and accident insurance.

Hill met with Ika Grant, WIOA Career Advisor, who assisted her in the LCC admissions process and completion of her Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). With the help of the WIOA program, Hill was able to identify her areas of interest and relate those to programs offered at LCC.

Hill was limited in jobs she could perform due to chronic migraines and constant back pains. Knowing her limitations, Grant worked on finding a field that would be best accommodate her heath conditions. 

“I am thankful that Mrs. Grant took the time to help with finding a program that best fit my interest and could accommodate my disabilities.” 

She enrolled in the Medical Office Administration program and began classes in Spring 2019. Shortly after beginning her online classes, she was placed in a Work-Based Learning (WBL) course, and began working as a processing assistant at Vocational Rehab in Lenoir County. She was working five and half hours per week with hopes of eventually going full time so she could obtain health insurance and better provide for her family. 

With rising medical bills from her chronic illnesses and lack of health insurance, Hill was struggling to keep up with her payments. “I was able to provide Michelle with a resource to help her with her healthcare expenses,” Grant said. 

Hill managed to maintain a 4.0 grade point average and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. In May, she successfully earned her Associate in Arts degree in Medical Office Administration, as well as two certificates, and graduated with high honors. 

She was offered a full-time position at Vocational Rehab and now has health insurance. 

“I am so thankful for the assistance I received from LCC and WIOA. They guided me in the process of starting back school and later landing a job that turned into a career that I love,” she said. “During my training at Vocational Rehabilitation through the WBL program, I was able to gain employment there,” she said.  

“The WIOA program is a wonderful opportunity for individuals. It allowed me to learn new skills I needed to be successful in today’s workforce.”  

For more information on the WIOA Program, contact Samara Taft, Director of WIOA Title I Programs/ NCWorks Career Center Manager, at sltaft27@lenoircc.edu or (252) 527-6223, ext. 111.