KINGWOOD — The Preston County Chamber of Commerce recently held a strategic planning session on workforce development at the Camp Dawson Event Center.
The goal of workforce development is to create economic success for individuals, businesses and communities, Executive Director Kristy Ash explained.
“Workforce development is important, because it leads to successful and prosperous employees, businesses and local communities,” she said.
Organizations such as the chamber offer workforce development – an employment initiative – to help create, sustain and retain a valuable workforce, Ash said.
The event was a follow-up to an October virtual thinking session where the chamber and local leaders discussed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the workforce.
Superintendent of Preston County Schools Stephen Wotring, who attended the planning session, is excited about the collaboration.
“It is exciting to be a part of a collaboration that is working diligently to bring opportunities and successful practices to Preston County,” Wotring said. “There is a true passion within so many to positively impact our future.”
Collaboration with business leaders and other Preston County organizations offers a wealth of expertise, provides a more well-rounded perspective and allows for the creation of a better plan, Ash said.
“We’re better together,” she said.
The chamber plans to complete the workforce development plan in early 2022 and it will have a targeted implementation period of two years.
Some of the priorities that will be focused on include:
· Each Preston County community and business, in partnership with their local school, will have a public relations plan implemented.
· Preston County will have one or more new unique manufacturing industries.
· Preston County will leverage the benefits of a recreation economy. Support and collaborate towards Preston County as a premier destination for outdoor recreation, resulting in more businesses and job opportunities.
· Partnership between 3-5 businesses and the middle and high schools to educate students and their families on employment opportunities in the county.
· Develop a plan to keep youth; attract new active workforce.
· Preston County will have the framework and foundation in place for establishing a community college or training center in the county.
· Market Preston County to the Ascend WV Morgantown applicants to work and live in Preston County. This would be to those who were not selected for the Morgantown location
· Find out what businesses have the capacity to expand, but can’t find the workforce to achieve these goals.
· Establish a Business Hub Resource Center that will provide support and solutions.
· Existing employers and existing employee pool are meeting each other needs and supporting each other.
· Create career opportunities, not jobs.
