During my campaign for Governor I made a pledge to the citizens of this state upon taking office that I would make on-site accountability inspections of state agencies a priority during my administration. Two weeks ago I visited the troubled Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro.
Today I visited the JobLink Career Center at the Employment Security Commission office in Raleigh. With North Carolina facing its highest unemployment rate since June 1983, we must make sure our state agencies are effectively working to get people back to work. Jobs are my number one priority.
During my trip I met with employees and talked with citizens who were there receiving services. I heard the real stories behind the numbers – I met people who had lost jobs due to this troubled economy, of course, but I also saw so much more. I met someone who holds a PhD but can’t find a job. I talked to job seekers who are former military and are looking for a career outside the armed forces. I saw a woman who had never held a job before but today is looking for a new path. These are real people we must work for, not just statistics.
I want every single ESC office in North Carolina to be operating as efficiently and effectively as possible to best serve these citizens.