Letter from Vice President

Letter from the V.P. Deborah Wright

“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” -Bob Marley

I was thinking a lot about resilience these past couple of months. Spring always seems to bring on thoughts of reflection for me. We are all reading articles and/or experiencing challenges around jobs, hiring, employment challenges, and the effects of the great resignation. In my work with economic and workforce development it has been a conundrum for many of us as we look to help both employees and employers.

I challenged myself recently to not see the problem in all of this, but to find a different perspective and perhaps a silver lining. It takes resilience to push through and keep going in the face of change and adversity. So many businesses and individuals have bounced back and reinvented themselves in a way that is admirable and impressive. Alain de Botton said that “A good half of the art of living is resilience” and the more I think about it, the more I think that is a summary of the last couple of years. In the face of dramatically changed circumstances, people have had a chance to reflect on their purpose and what makes them happy. More than just changing jobs, people are seeking balance, reprioritizing how they spend their time, and not letting the fear of change keep them from chasing their dreams.

For employees that may look like training in a new field or stepping out to start your own business. I recently had the chance to hear some start-up business pitches from our Small Business Center clients and they were quite exciting. I can honestly say, the passion for their work and business ideas was contagious.

For employers those changes might be in new hours of operation, increased wages, or flexible work conditions that provide employees options and considerations. With everyone looking to fill job openings, the idea of a new business model seems appealing and timely.

Whichever side of the challenge you are on, employee or employer, I hope we can all look back on the last couple of years and recognize our own strengths, passions, and assets of resiliency that we possess. I hope the people at A-B Tech can continue to come along side you to help.

Deborah D. Wright Vice President, Economic & Workforce Development and Continuing Education