Spearheading the Economic Development for Educators program are, from left, Leah Poole, LCCOC CEO; Carmen Cole, LCDA Director of Operations & Business Development; Karisa Young, LCCA CEO; and Sonja Duncan, Executive Director of Special Programs, LCSS.
Groups form Economic Development for Educators
The Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Liberty County Development Authority, the Liberty County School System and the Liberty College & Career Academy have a new joint venture, Economic Development for Educators.
“After researching the success of the program initiated by the Savannah Economic Development Authority and the Savannah/Chatham County School System, we were inspired to ask our valued community partners to consider embarking on a similar version for Liberty County educators. An immediate response to help however they could has allowed us to fast track this program for our local educators so that they, and our students, receive the best possible information and education, as well as our continuing ability to be a resource in economic development for our community,” Karisa Young, CEO of the LCCA, said.
Program objectives include:
1. Strengthen and grow the relationships between the LCSS/LCCA and local employers with the goal of opening lines of communication and laying the groundwork for meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships.
2. Showcase the lesser known and unique employers, occupations, and industries to expand LCSC/LCCA staff’s knowledge of the local economy.
3. Provide experiential learning that allows educators to better understand economic development and their role within it along with the opportunities available for students when working for local employers.
4. Improve the local workforce pipeline by ensuring that those who have direct access to students (principals, teachers, counselors, etc.) understand the needs of employers and the opportunities available for students before and after graduation.
“We are very excited to be a part of this inaugural program to help continue to increase the offerings available to our local school system partners and expand our workforce pipeline for our students and local businesses,” Leah Poole, chamber CEO. said.
The course will consist of three sessions beginning in February. Sessions will include: Economic Development 101, Manufacturing & Distribution and end with Creative Careers in Emerging Industries.
“It is our pleasure to partner on a program that is sure to bring additional value, not only to our local school system, but also to our existing industries and those companies that we are actively recruiting,” Ron Tolley, LCDA CEO said.
The initial class of participants will be chosen in the soon, those interested should contact LCCA’s Young at kyoung@liberty.k12.ga.us. Subsequent classes will have an application process.