Hickory, NC — In response to the closures of Kroehler Furniture and Queen Transportation, the Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board (WPWDB) is coordinating a series of Rapid Response sessions to support affected employees during this transition. These sessions are designed to connect dislocated workers with critical information, employment resources, training opportunities, and supportive services available through NCWorks.
Rapid Response sessions will be held at the NCWorks Career Center–Catawba, located at 403 Conover Station, Conover, NC, on the following dates and times:
Monday, January 5, 2026 • 8:30 a.m. • 10:30 a.m. • 1:30 p.m. • 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 • 9:00 a.m. • 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 • 9:00 a.m. • 2:00 p.m.
Dislocated Kroehler and Queen Transportation employees are encouraged to attend and may contact the NCWorks Career Center–Catawba at 828-468-6947 for additional information or to register for a session. Staff from the Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board and NCWorks will be available to guide workers through next steps and ensure they receive the support needed during this period of change.
The Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board provides planning, technical assistance, and implementation of employment and training activities required under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for the region. The Board also offers oversight, coordination, and strategic guidance for local NCWorks Career Centers.
The WPWDB is housed within the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG), a regional association of local governments established in 1968 to provide long-range planning and technical assistance. WPCOG serves Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties and their 24 municipalities, and is one of 16 regional councils in North Carolina. Its mission is to provide professional, cost-effective support on local, regional, state, and federal issues and programs