ESC Overview

Labor Market Information: Both through the Lincoln ESC/JobLink Center and online, employers have access to labor force statistics, industry and occupational information, information access and career resource tools, and special research.

Enter Job Orders via internet, fax, or phone call to the Lincolnton ESC who will then:

• Pre-screen applicants based on the employer's qualifications, schedule, and refer appropriate applicants.
• Furnish space for an employer to conduct testing and interviewing in local ESC offices.
• Work closely with Gaston College to develop a testing program for employers, for employers wanting to use employment tests as a basis for their hiring decisions.

Find employees through Skill-Net: this feature allows employers to see applicants’ qualifications and select the best for contact by Lincoln ESC/JobLink Center.

File quarterly reports and attached claims online: download forms, software, pamphlets, etc.

Personnel Consultation: Retaining employees is important and will reduce high turnover costs. ESC's occupational analysts provide a broad range of services that can help you find out what you can do to enhance productivity and reduce turnover. ESC collects no fees for its services, which include Employee Opinion Surveys, Turnover Consultation, Job Analysis and Specifications, Personnel Records and Procedures, and Customized Seminars.

Federal Bonding Program: To expand your labor force options, bonding is available for non-bondable workers at no cost to employer or worker.

With the Fidelity Bonding Program, employers can hire individuals who have been denied fidelity bond coverage by commercial carriers. The program provides fidelity bonding insurance for qualified workers in permanent, full-time jobs when the inability to obtain bonding is the only barrier to employment. There is no cost to the employer or the applicant.

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit program available to employers who hire new employees from eight "targeted" groups, which have historically had difficulty in finding employment. The credit is used to reduce the federal tax liability of private-for-profit employers.

The Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit is a two-year, federal income tax credit issued to employers who hire individuals deemed as long-term welfare recipients. The Lincoln ESC/JobLink can assist with applications for both.

Job Service Employer Committee: Traditionally, the role of local Job Service Employer Committees was to advise the Employment Security Commission about its service delivery to the employer community. Over the past twenty-five years, the role of JSEC's has expanded to include job development and marketing of ESC services to employers. Membership entitles employers to:

• Access to current information concerning state and national legislative and regulatory developments impacting employers.
• Information about unemployment insurance taxes and employer services [at no cost to employers] provided by employer taxes.
• Local and regional seminars on topics of employer interest.
• Opportunities for networking with local, state and regional employers.
• State of the art access to nationwide labor market information and workforce development trends.