June 2007 Chairman's Message
by Dr. Bud Marchant, Chairman, Chamber Board of DirectorsThe Workforce of the Future
Our community’s educational system continues to create the workforce of the future.
We know this can be a real differentiator and competitive advantage for our area, so workforce development is a priority at the Chamber. We have a great private college here with Presbyterian College, a wonderful community college with Piedmont Technical, and we have good things happening in both our school districts.
At the Chamber, we’re looking for ways for businesses to collaborate with our educational and workforce development institutions. As such, one of my goals for this year has been to promote a dialog between the business community and our educational institutions.
We are planning to hold a Workforce Development Committee meeting on June 11th at our Chamber of Commerce. It is our goal to have a good mix of educators, business leaders, and civic leaders to help redefine the chamber’s role with workforce development needs of the future.
The connection is vital, because when companies consider sites for corporate relocations and expansions, the availability of workers ranks high among selection criteria. And when economic development and workforce development initiatives are integrated, a community is better able to grow its economy. Featuring our area’s wealth of human resources and skill sets gives companies another reason to say "YES!" to Laurens County, as a relocation/expansion site. After all our ability to attract large companies which will have significant, positive impacts on the local economy is greatly enhanced by having a highly educated workforce.
Your chamber has begun this planning process. Call the chamber office for more information and/or to join the Workforce Development Committee.
