Members of North Augusta’s Chamber of Commerce are gearing up to provide authentic work-based learning experiences for District students through the community workforce development collaborative, Aiken Works.
Chamber President Terra Carroll knows that finding qualified employees is challenging for her member businesses.
“The education to workforce pipeline is kind of dry,” she commented.
As the voice and support system to area business and industry, Carroll has supported career preparation efforts of North Augusta students for a number of years by working with middle school students in the Youth Leadership Program, facilitating business connections for Lunch & Learn opportunities, and collaborating with school Counselors and Career Development Facilitators for STEM events.
“We know businesses are running into issues with hiring, challenged by candidates with both skill deficiency and a lacking work ethic,” she continued. “I believe that Aiken Works will impact our business community long-term. I’m looking forward to this partnership and the ability of our member businesses to enhance what Aiken Works is already doing.”
In considering official partnership with Aiken Works, Carroll called on a number of business leaders from her diverse group of 395 Chamber members to gauge their interest and willingness to host work-based learning opportunities.
“They were absolutely receptive and felt confident that together we could provide official department of labor-certified youth apprenticeships for at least 20 students, in addition to internships and job shadowing opportunities for many more,” she added.
As Aiken Works looks to have more than 60 students begin apprenticeships in June, Lafayette Stewart, district coordinator for the initiative, is thrilled to welcome the North Augusta Chamber as a partner.
“The spectrum of North Augusta Chamber business members is extensive,” Stewart commented. “In partnering with the North Augusta Chamber, there is an opportunity for career exploration from a full spectrum of occupations. We couldn’t be more excited to share these opportunities with our students and to welcome the North Augusta Chamber and its members in partnership with Aiken Works.”
ACPSD Communications Dept.