There’s a
New Tour Team in Town
By Cherokee Office of Economic Development
[StrategicLife] Move over Starsky and Hutch. Meet Reggie and Hutch – the team behind Be Pro Be Proud Georgia, a workforce development initiative that connects students to high demand careers within the skilled professions.
The skilled professions are an excellent avenue for entrepreneurs with savvy business and technical skills.
As a jack-of-all-trades maintenance technician, coach, and educator, Tour Manager Reggie LaGrone brings the perfect trifecta of skills to Be Pro. Matthew “Hutch” Hutcheson, Be Pro’s tour driver, is a decorated Army veteran with decades of experience in leadership and training.
COED: How is Be Pro getting more students engaged in the skilled professions across the state? LaGrone: As the word gets out, we’ve been able to be accessible and travel to schools around the state. Students are not always aware of the opportunities available. Through partnerships with organizations like CEFGA (Construction Education Foundation of Georgia), Georgia Power, technical colleges, industries, and regional WorkSource boards, we can build a strong pipeline of young talent and help students realize their full potential within the trades.
COED (Cherokee Office of Economic Development) sat down with LaGrone to learn about the team’s time on the road teaching students about the skilled professions aboard Be Pro’s fully customized 40-foot mobile workshop. The interactive, hands-on experience allows students to explore five gamified stations including automation and robotics, commercial truck driving, health care, plumbing, welding, and an engaging handeye coordination skills challenge. COED: What has surprised you the most when talking to students about the skilled professions? LaGrone: Many students have been told that a bachelor’s degree is the only route to success, and we want students to feel PROUD of their career choice, whatever path they choose. That’s why Be Pro Be Proud is working to change the narrative of what it means to work within the vocations, showing students that trade careers pay as much, if not more, than jobs that require four-year degrees. We’re finding that, in addition to entering the trades at a young age, many students want to start their own companies and be their own boss. 20
Canton Family Life
| January 2022
(L-R) Reggie LaGrone and Matthew “Hutch” Hutcheson
COED: What are the misconceptions you hear about the skilled professions? LaGrone: Many students think that people choose skilled professions as a second choice, or these careers are only for people who couldn’t make it in college. When students find out how much money skilled professionals make and the lifestyles they lead, it clicks. When you can provide a solution to a problem, you don’t have to look for money — money will find you. COED: What role can parents play in their children’s future in the trades? LaGrone: Support your child’s personal passion and aptitude. The most important thing when it comes to the skilled trades is not looking down on students or pigeonholing them into a certain career. There is a tremendous amount of pride in being a skilled professional.
COED: What roles do companies have in Be Pro, and how can businesses get involved? LaGrone: We help businesses understand that Be Pro Be Proud can promote their company and overall industry statewide, including careers. Due to retiring workers, there is a major lack of skilled workers nationwide. Companies that partner with Be Pro Be Proud play a major role in filling the gap created by these essential workers and connecting students to the resources and skills they need to succeed. COED: How is Be Pro working to connect students with local careers? LaGrone: We connect students with careers and training through the website, BeProBeProudGa.org. When it comes to finding out about local career opportunities, we show students exactly where they can dive in. Thankfully, students don’t have to go far to get the training they need. Whether in Macon or Cherokee, the training to get students on the pathway to success is close to home. L
The Cherokee Office of Economic Development, One Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-345-0600. CherokeeGa.org
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