Developing Our Workforce

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

February 25, 2013

 

Who is involved in Workforce Development? What is Workforce Development? When is Workforce Development a priority? Where can one find the best resources regarding Workforce Development? Why is Workforce Development so important? Who, What, When, Where, Why... Should workforce development be “Top of Mind” for the success of our region?

Culpeper, Orange, Madison, Rappahannock, and Fauquier counties make up what is referred to as Planning District 9 - aka PD 9. Our area is known for many things, including that we are very friendly to business. In addition, Virginia is known as one of the best States to do business. Further, the USA is certainly the best country in the world to do business. Therefore, our region, by deduction, could be considered one of the best places in the world to do business.

At the core of our economic success are the people that live, work, and play here. These are the people that make up our workforce. These are the people that make our region stand out in the global economy. Our knowledge, skills, work ethic, capacity for innovation, health, fitness, and quality of life are a primary focus for business to locate, grow, and remain in our area. Workforce development touches all of these factors. We are in a constant state of competition with other areas, states, and countries to be the best environment for economic prosperity. Workforce development is therefore very important to our continued success.

There are many partners in the formula for workforce development; at the center,  is Germanna Community College. The community college system in Virginia is designed to educate our workforce. They have the greatest influence in our capacity for innovation. Our workforce requires access to resources for continuous learning. In addition, our community libraries play a big part in supporting the expansion of a culture of continuous learning. Both resources can translate into an attractive advanced capacity for innovation for our workforce.

Our area has pioneered new initiatives in serving those in the workforce that have employment challenges. This may include workers that are displaced, economically challenged, with disabilities, reentering the workforce from incarceration, returning veterans, and other areas of special need.  Our PD 9  - Career Resource Center, also known as the “One Stop,” offers services to these workers and others seeking employment assistance. The One Stop is the hub for the many agencies that serve the mission of workforce development in our region. 

The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the One Stop and Germanna Community College, is also taking an increasingly active role in serving the region to strengthen one of our greatest resources for economic prosperity - our workforce.  Cultivating a quality workforce means attracting more and higher quality jobs, a priority worthy of investment.