Dozens of business and industry leaders at the ACCS Workforce Exchange nodded with enthusiasm as Lawson State President Dr. Cynthia T. Anthony spoke about the power of partnerships.
"Each of us brings something to the table, but it takes all of us around the table - working together - to have the local, state, national and global impact that is imperative," Dr. Anthony said during the Sept. 29 event at Regions Field.
"Our job is to ensure that we are creating the workforce not just for today, but for the future, too," she added. Employers, local school districts, legislative staff, government officials and others joined Dr. Anthony and other community college presidents at the event.
The exchange, one of several planned statewide, gave workforce, education and government partners a shared space to discuss how colleges and employers must respond to changing labor needs.
Attendees discussed a range of topics, including evolving employer needs, the multi-generational workforce, dual high school-community college enrollment, short-term credentials and apprenticeships.
"Our goal is to make sure the barriers to success are gone and to provide students with the courses, resources and support they need to be successful," said Lori Chisem, Lawson State's assistant dean of students. "We want to build on our legacy of making certain students are trained and ready for what the workforce needs."
