Workforce development is one of the cornerstones of economic development. It is about educating employees, assisting entrepreneurs, and addressing critical factors, like transportation, affordable housing, health care, and child care, that enable people to work and advance in their careers. With the large number of small businesses in the region, the Chamber plays a critical role in collecting information on training and education needs and connecting these needs with providers.

Our Workforce Development Committee has surveyed the hospitality industry about training needs; brought in Johnson and Wales University for on site training for supervisors; assisted Cape Cod Community College in developing education programs for hospitality businesses; and created small business seminars to connect local businesses with assistance in marketing, financial management, and using technology. Some initiatives are industry specific, such as a masters offering for area high-tech engineers. Training for front line supervisors is more generic, and reflects the reality of helping local businesses support their own workforce in the most effective ways—on site.

Building a future workforce by connecting to our youth is another important component of our work, whether it’s supporting the local School to Careers Partnership, alternative education programs, and area high schools to build career awareness about local opportunities. We have reached into the middle schools, helping staff access entrepreneurial activities like the Mini Society, created by the Ewing Marion Kauffmann Foundation, a national leader in entrepreneurial education. With Cape and Islands Community Development, the Chamber has looked to the needs of early stage businesses, and begun to provide training for these entrepreneurs. Workforce development is about more than hiring and training the right workers. It is about connecting resources for area businesses from a wide range of providers and funding streams to support productive workplaces. We strive to
· Promote and support effective local education and training initiatives concerning workforce excellence;
· Conduct and support research that will develop more effective worker training programs; and
· Initiate and document promising education and workforce preparation programs that can be replicated for our members.

Links:

Cape Cod Community College (WERC) www.capecod.mass.edu
Massachusetts Department of Employment and Training: www.detma.org
Commonwealth Corporation www.commcorp.org
Small Business Development Center www.umassd.edu/sbdc
Cape and Islands Workforce Investment Board www.ciwib.org
Massachusetts Department of Education www.doe.mass.edu