CONTACT: Cyndi Miracle, VP, Marketing
Phone: 804-237-1466, Cell: 804-691-5663
c.miracle@vachamber.com
(Embargoed until 9:00 a.m. Dec. 5th)
VIRGINIA CHAMBER FOUNDATION WILL FACILITATE STUDY TO IDENTIFY
FUTURE JOBS AND CRITICAL SKILLS NEEDS
Foundation to Launch Four New Initiatives to Help Strengthen
Virginia’s Economic Competitiveness
Richmond, VA (Dec. 5, 2014) The Virginia Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced plans to partner with the Virginia Employment Commission, the Council on Virginia’s Future and other statewide associations in surveying employers to identify the fastest growing industry sectors and the critical skills needed to meet employment demand. The employer survey and analysis will be facilitated by the Chamber Foundation’s newly created Public Policy Center, one of four Foundation initiatives being launched in 2015 to help strengthen Virginia’s economic competitiveness.
The employer survey will collect labor market data from businesses representing all sizes, industries and geographic regions to identify future jobs needs, specific skills gaps, and challenges employers face in recruiting talent. Study results will help employers better collaborate with education and government officials by developing a workforce strategy that meets the needs of today’s technologically advanced business climate and ensures a steady flow of qualified workers.
Chamber President and CEO Barry DuVal said “Virginia’s future economic growth will depend on our ability to produce a highly skilled talent pool. The Public Policy Center’s survey to identify future jobs and skills upon which our businesses competitiveness depends is a critical step in developing a demand driven solution to workforce training.”
“This partnership is an excellent opportunity for collaboration in the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “The McAuliffe Administration is focused on doing everything we can to support our growing businesses, and one key element is clearly identifying the critical skills Virginia workers need to do the jobs of the future and grow the new Virginia economy. This effort will benefit job seekers and employers alike, and do so at business speed.”
Along with the labor market research, the Foundation’s Policy Center will collaborate with business and regional leaders to conduct research supporting implementation of Blueprint Virginia – a comprehensive, long-term plan for competitiveness. The Center will be led by Keith Martin, the Virginia Chamber’s Vice President of Public Policy and General Counsel.
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Additional Foundation initiatives planned for 2015 include the Virginia Dashboard, the State of the Commonwealth Report and statewide events. The Virginia Dashboard – an interactive website tracking economic development statistics and rankings, will provide real-time indicators of Virginia’s progress in education and talent supply, competitive business climate, entrepreneurship and innovation, and infrastructure. The State of the Commonwealth report, published in partnership with Old Dominion University’s Strome College of Business, will present an overview of the state’s economic profile, challenges and opportunities related to Blueprint. The report will be published in the fall of 2015. The Foundation will also host statewide conferences to discuss findings and promote emerging public policy ideas related to Blueprint.
ABOUT THE VIRGINIA CHAMBER FOUNDATION:
The mission of the Virginia Chamber Foundation is to strengthen Virginia’s long-term competitiveness through implementation support for Blueprint Virginia. The Foundation conducts research, provides metrics for the state’s progress and produces events on issues facing business.
ABOUT BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA:
Blueprint Virginia is a comprehensive initiative to provide business leadership, direction and long-range economic development planning for Virginia. For twelve months over 2012-2013, the Blueprint process engaged business and community leaders from around the state through grassroots involvement. Briefings were held in more than 30 communities where hundreds of Virginia citizens voted on priority issues for their region and the state. The Blueprint Virginia project collaborated with more than 300 organizations and over 7,000 participants to develop “A Business Plan for the Commonwealth” which provides elected officials and private sector leaders with a roadmap for economic competitiveness.
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