Education/Workforce Development

One of the key drivers in economic development is workforce.

Are employees trained and trainable?  How are the overall soft skills in a market?  How do the schools rate?  Businesses looking to come to the area ask these questions.  Existing businesses want to know how to build their workforce.

The Chamber’s education and workforce initiatives are set by the Education/Workforce committee.  Additionally, the Chamber works closely with the public and private schools as well as the local colleges to improve the skills and performance of the area’s workforce.

Programs with K-12

Teachers in the Workplace
Teacher in the Workplace” provides local teachers an opportunity to work with local businesses to view the skills needed in the local job market using the WorkKeys® Estimator to profile the skills needed on the job which can help employers with future hiring decisions.

Career Expo
The Beaufort County Career Expos expose ninth graders to those already in the world of work.  Students attending the expo visit community leaders employed in 16 state-identified career clusters.  The Chamber is a leader in recruiting business participants for these events, and assists in organizing the expo. 
 
Teacher of the Year
Each year, the Chamber honors the Teacher of the Year in each of the schools in the northern portion of Beaufort County by recognizing them as part of the Chamber's Annual Meeting and Civitas Awards. 
 
Choices
Choices is a program targeted at middle school students to teach them that the choices they make today can impact the rest of their lives.  The Chamber is involved with recruiting volunteers for the program on behalf of Sea Island Rotary Club who leads the initiative.

Programs for Existing Workforce

WorkKeys ®
The Beaufort Regional Chamber works with local providers to promote businesses using WorkKeys ®
 
Human Services/Workforce Resource Guide
In partnership with Beaufort County’s Together for Beaufort initiative, the Beaufort Regional Chamber offers an online human services/workforce resource guide for employers seeking federal, state and local assistance regarding workforce needs.  

Employer of Choice
The “Employer of Choice” program recognizes employers who are committed to sustaining a well-trained and competitive workforce.   Businesses that participate in at least six of the nine criterions of the program may display the “Employer of Choice” logo at their place of business, in their job advertisements or recruitment materials.