The BRAC Regional Task Force has launched PipelineNC.com, an education and workforce Internet platform for job seekers and employers in the region. PipelineNC.com aligns and integrates the area's labor supply, education, employment and training capabilities, and emerging employer occupational demands.

The BRAC RTF was awarded a U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Demonstration Program Grant in 2007 to develop transformational initiatives to facilitate employment and economic growth for the region as a result of significant impacts resulting from the projected growth at Fort Bragg. PipelineNC.com represents the completion of a major component of the DOL grant.

With thousands of people displaced from the workforce in the 11 counties surrounding Fort Bragg, the BRAC RTF developed PipelineNC.com to meet the region's employment growth needs of the future. An estimated 15,000 jobs will be created by 2013 as a result of the U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Reserve Command moves next year from Fort McPherson, Ga., to Fort Bragg, according to the BRAC RTF Comprehensive Regional Growth Plan.

"PipelineNC.com goes beyond what we initially wanted to deliver to the 11 counties in the way of workforce development and employment," said Paul Dordal, BRAC RTF executive director. Futures, Inc. located in Durham, was awarded the contract to develop PipelineNC.com.

"From our research, there is no other employment platform that provides the functionality and depth of resources for the job seeker or employer," said Dordal.

PipelineNC brings opportunities to job seekers and students who are searching for employment, or want to learn more about in-demand careers and educational resources. Employers benefit from superior matching technology and an automated recruiting process that will identify the best candidates for the job.

Employers can post jobs for free or purchase a number of options including the ability to send digital postcards, or sponsor an industry-specific page. "These features will bring employers different levels of involvement within PipelineNC and throughout the candidate search process," said Dordal.

PipelineNC.com allows job seekers and students to conduct interest assessments, define career paths, research community college and university program offerings in the region and search for employment. Day-in-the-life videos, community pages, forums, and media galleries can prepare someone to pursue a new vocation, a career change, training or certification.

Fayetteville Technical Community College is the first regional institution to go live on PipelineNC.com with a fully integrated curriculum listing by subject area and an educational plan by semester. The community college has launched a campaign encouraging students to use PipelineNC as a career development and employment tool, especially for students graduating this year. Information from the remaining seven community colleges and the five four-year colleges and universities in the region will be added to the platform in the coming months.

PipelineNC.com will also be used at Fort Bragg's Army and Career Alumni Program for soldiers exiting the military. "Keeping these very talented and motivated individuals in meaningful civilian careers here in the region is a win for the soldiers and their families and a win for our local communities," said Dordal.