Building a Workforce for Tomorrow!

Recruiting a prepared workforce is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today. As the workplace evolves, employees are learning new skills, developing old skills, and learning to be proficient across many areas of a company.

Businesses have identified a skills gap in those entering the workplace. The gap identifies itself as a lack of fundamental reading, writing, mathematical, and/or communication skills. It may also present itself as the lack of specific training required to achieve basic competency for available jobs. When there is a significant gap between an organization’s skill needs and the current capability of its workforce, employers and educators must work together and identify solutions.

North Orange County Chamber recognizes that the business community needs a workforce prepared for a 21st century global economy. Fortunately, our educational partners, including California State University, Fullerton, North Orange County Community College District, and other award-winning school districts, have acknowledged these challenges and are mounting strategic solutions for developing the next generation of global leaders. Whether students are training for opportunities in manufacturing, business, technology, healthcare, or hospitality, they can be assured that business leaders and educators are collaborating and working together to identify and meet employer needs.

Internships can be viewed as valuable opportunities for students and employers alike. As companies invest in training and development, students are provided with real world experiences designed to prepare them for the workforce. The Chamber has identified internships as a chance to help students achieve, but the programs can also create opportunities for businesses to learn new avenues of marketing, test programs, and introduce innovative ideas.

Theresa Harvey, President and CEO

Portrait by Paul McKelvey