RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – This afternoon, the 2024 Virginia Education and Workforce Conference concluded, bringing together over 400 educators, employers, policymakers, and thought leaders to showcase successful business-education partnerships along the education-workforce continuum. These collaborations are essential for building vibrant communities, developing talent pipelines, and enhancing Virginia’s economic future.

Co-hosted by the Virginia Chamber Foundation, VCF Workforce and Education Center, Virginia Business Higher Education Council, and Virginia Talent and Opportunity Partnership, the conference featured an engaging lineup of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and TED-style presentations showcasing innovative early childhood, K-12, and workforce collaborations.

“To keep Virginia’s ranking as the top state for business, and education, we must unite our efforts to create pathways that attract and retain a skilled workforce to address current demands,” said Barry DuVal, President and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. “Conversations like those had today will enable us to collaboratively meet the evolving workforce needs of our communities and strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy.”

During the program, Tom Barkin, President, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond provided keynote remarks. “Community colleges seem to be the utility player of workforce development, able to fill a role at every stage of the talent pipeline,” says Barkin. “They partner with elementary and middle schools to expose kids to in-demand skills and careers. They partner with high schools to offer advanced learning opportunities via dual enrollment, and to conduct students with apprenticeships. They partner with four-year colleges, communities, and employers.”

“Everyone benefits when education and business collaborate. The Commonwealth leads the nation in Business and Education due to our efforts to prepare learners at every level for success in life,” said Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera. “We achieve this by aligning educational programs with labor market needs, offering work-based experiences like apprenticeships and internships, and ensuring every high school student can graduate with college credit, military readiness, and/or industry-recognized credentials.”

“The value of a “meaningful” partnership between schools and businesses cannot be underestimated or taken for granted. Understanding that a partnership is about a handshake, not a handout, is key,” said Mac Beaton, Director of CTE and Workforce Development, Henrico County Public Schools. “This mutual alliance means that both parties are committed to each other’s success.  If we are going to prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow, we need to continue to grow meaningful partnerships.

As a part of the lunch program, attendees received a briefing on the Health Sciences Workforce Partnership Roadmap and The Sector Playbook between Virginia Secretary of Labor, Bryan Slater and Dr. Bill Hazel, CEO of Claude Moore Opportunities. During the lunch program, attendees were delighted with music from the Clover Hill High School Jazz Ensemble, led by Band Director Brianna Gatch.

“Sector-based strategies and partnerships are producing results in Virginia and around the country,” said Virginia Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater. “The strategies outlined in the new Roadmap are proven ways to fill in-demand jobs and lift more Virginians into the middle class. We believe this is a powerful tool for creating good-paying jobs and we hope every community will put it into action.”

“Over two decades in healthcare workforce development we have learned that the communities that really succeed are the ones that successfully align their employers, educational institutions, and community partners around a common vision and understanding of their needs,” said Dr. Bill Hazel, CEO of Claude Moore Opportunities. “The new Roadmap is a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help communities break down the silos and get everyone around the table to create family-sustaining career opportunities and meet the needs of our people and our businesses.”

During the networking breaks, attendees had an opportunity to engage directly with students from various school divisions across the Commonwealth, who showcased their career and technical education and work-based learning experiences through student-led demonstrations. Featured divisions included Arlington County, where students shared insights from work-based learning in accounting, computer science, and artificial intelligence; Cumberland County’s nursing program; Henrico County’s health sciences and precision machining programs; Washington County’s engineering program; and Virginia Beach City’s Entrepreneurship and Business Academy.

Additional Highlights from Conference Included:

(Listed in order of appearance)

WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS

Barry DuVal, President & CEO, Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Robert Duvall, President & CEO, Virginia Natural Gas and Chair, Virginia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Scott Fleming, Director, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia

SPEAKER INTRODUCTION

Tina Pfalzgraf, Chief Human Resources Officer, The Branch Group and Co-Chair, Blueprint Virginia Workforce and Education Executive Committee

TED TALK: SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYER PARTNERSHIPS

Mac Beaton, Director of CTE and Workforce Development, Henrico County Public Schools

SPECIAL REMARKS AND PANEL INTRODUCTION

Dr. Keith Perrigan, Superintendent, Washington County Public Schools and President, Virginia Association of School Superintendents

PANEL DISCUSSION: SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS-EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TALENT PIPELINES

Moderator: Maria Tedesco, President & COO, Atlantic Union Bank

Panelists:

Shawn Avery, President and CEO, Hampton Roads Workforce Council

Dr. Tony Brads, Superintendent, Culpeper County Public Schools

Dr. Sara Lockett, Director of Technical and Career Education, Virginia Beach City Schools

Dr. Tammy Mann, President and CEO, The Campagna Center

TED TALK: LITTLE LIONS LEARNING LAB

Doug Straley, Superintendent, Louisa County Public Schools

Kenny Bouwens, Director of CTE/STEAM and Innovation, Louisa County Public Schools

PANEL DISCUSSION: COLLABORATIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM

Moderator: The Honorable Aimee Guidera, Virginia Secretary of Education

Panelists:

Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons, President, Shenandoah University

Dr. Corey McCray, President, Paul D. Camp Community College

Wendy Shields, Senior Manager of Corporate Citizenship, Altria

Dr. Gregory Washington, President, George Mason University

KEYNOTE INTRODUCTION

Patrick Murray, Vice President of Government Affairs, KinderCare Learning Companies

KEYNOTE REMARKS

Tom Barkin, President, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

LUNCHEON PROGRAM

SPECIAL REMARKS

The Honorable Kirk Cox, President, Virginia Business Higher Education Council

SPECIAL REMARKS AND SPEAKER INTRODUCTION

Jen Tutak, Senior Manager, Deloitte Consulting

KEYNOTE: HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE “PLAY BOOK”

The Honorable Bryan Slater, Virginia Secretary of Labor

Dr. William Hazel, Jr., CEO, Claude Moore Opportunities

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About the Virginia Chamber Foundation:

The Virginia Chamber Foundation tracks Virginia’s economic competitiveness, conducts research and analysis, and hosts programs, connected to the priorities of Blueprint Virginia. In December 2021, the Chamber released its new statewide strategic economic development plan, Blueprint Virginia 2030, which has engaged over 7,000 business, economic development, workforce, education, housing, and other community leaders to lay out a plan to ensure Virginia remains at the top of national business climate rankings. Learn more at  www.blueprintvirginia.org.