April 7, 2015 • Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
From the Chairman
Focus: Workforce Development
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Workforce Development is not just a local issue – it is a state and national issue effecting all business – from manufacturers and healthcare providers to retailers and small businesses. As the area's voice for business, the Greater Hall Chamber is addressing the needs of area employers and recently implemented a workforce initiative. The mission of GainesvilleHall County’s newly formed Workforce Development Task Force is to collaborate with area employers, educators and leaders to create new programs, market existing programs, remove barriers and influence perceptions. The group is dedicated to making an impact by building on a sustainable workforce that possesses the skills needed by today’s and tomorrow’s employers. Perry Barnett, CPA and partner with Rushton & Company, is chair of the Workforce Development Task Force (WDTF). David Lee Jackson EMC Chairman, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
Earning and Learning
At a recent Industry Employer Forum hosted by the WDTF, Perry Barnett presented the results of a survey of 58 manufacturing employers. The most significant issue facing employers overall is under qualified job applicants, followed by lack of applicants and an aging workforce. Only 25% of the industries surveyed in our community employ high school students as part of a Work Based Learning Program. Currently, 800 students are participating in work based learning locally but only 2% of those are in manufacturing and 26% of Hall County’s workforce is employed in goods producing. The event included a panel discussion with Phil Sutton, Kubota Manufacturing of America, and Mike Holman, Baldor Electric. Kubota’s longterm plan is for all new hires to go through an apprentice program. Sutton discussed Kubota's student work program with 25 students participating and making $10.50 an hour. He stated that as a community we should do a better job of educating our students and future workforce by offering opportunities for careers in manufacturing. He noted that in our community only 30% of high school graduates are going to college. We must engage the other 70%. Baldor's Mike Holman is a graduate of Johnson High School and Georgia Tech. He is now plant manager and stated that the company's corporate plan nationally is to “grow their own employees.” Baldor's apprentices primarily come from the Johnson High's work based learning program with students pre-screened and interview-ready. The WDTF's Plan of Action for 2015 is to increase high school apprenticeships, increase employer presence in schools and investigate dual enrollment programs. Details: Shelley Davis at the Chamber, 770-532-6206 x 108. Email: sdavis@ghcc.com Workforce Development Task Force members (L-R): Dr. Ray Perren, President, Lanier Technical College; Tyler Smith, Attorney, Smith, Gilliam, William & Miles, P.A.; Phil Sutton, Chief Administrative Officer, Kubota Manufacturing of America; Mike Holman, Plant Manager, Baldor Electric; Perry Barnett, CPA, Rushton & Company; Chair,Workforce Development Task Force. King's Hawaiian hosted a tour for Work Based Learning Coordinators and Counselors from area high schools. As a part of Workforce Development efforts, area educational professionals have been invited to get outside the classroom and tour area industries. So far they have toured Kubota, IMS Gear, SKF USA Inc. and King’s Hawaiian.
Business Link VOLUME 20 ISSUE 10 McKemie West, Editor • Email: kwest@ghcc.com
greaterhallchamber.com Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
2014-2015 Executive Committee Chairman David Lee, Jackson EMC
Vice Chair, Marketing and Communications Katie Dubnik Forum Communications
Chairman Elect Brian Daniel Carroll Daniel Construction Co. Vice Chair, Membership Development Tony Paramore Treasurer Gainesville Design Center David Abee, Regions Bank Vice Chair, Economic Development Brian Rochester Rochester & Associates Vice Chair, Education Andi Farmer Milton Martin Honda Vice Chair, Government William Bagwell Homestead Investments
Co-Chairs, HALLmark Paul Chambers, AT&T Jimbo Floyd Turner Wood & Smith Insurance Randall Frost Stewart, Melvin & Frost Senior Advisor R.K. Whitehead Whitehead Die Casting
Vice Chair, South Hall Council Immediate Past Chairman Andy Kalinauskas Dixie Truelove Conditioned Air Systems Truelove Dairy Vice Chair, Community President & CEO Development Kit Dunlap Deborah Mack, Volunteer Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Chair, VISION 2030 Davis White LinkPoint Advantage Meg Nivens, Executive Director
Board of Directors 2014-2015 Charlotte Atkins, The Times Karen Baston, Sperry Van Ness Col James Benson, Riverside Military Academy Phil Bonelli, Wells Fargo John Breakfield, Breakfield & Associates Carol Burrell, NEGA Health System Jay Cooper, Chattahoochee Bank of Georgia Dr. Wanda Creel, Gainesville City Schools Stacey Dickson, Lake Lanier CVB Danny Dunagan, Mayor, City of Gainesville Sam Evans, City of Oakwood Tony Funari, City of Braselton Loren Funk, The Longstreet Clinic Rob Geoffroy, The Atlanta Falcons John Geyer, J Geyer Advertising Will Hicks, Stifel Dr. Bonita Jacobs, University of North Georgia Anna Jacobs, Jacobs Media Lane Jones, Highland Mountain Beverage Jay Kelly, Signs By Tomorrow Dr. John Kennedy, Lakeview Academy
Jullie King, The Longstreet Clinic Mary Jane Locklear, Cox Communications Steve McNeilly, NEGA Health System Dick Mecum, Chair, Hall County Commission Mike Miller, Mayor, City of Flowery Branch Steve Naughton, Community Volunteer James Nix, Mayor, City of Clermont Greg Ours, Poly Enterprises Dr. Ray Perren, Lanier Technical College Larry Poole, Mayor, City of Gillsville Brad Puryear, Mansfield Energy Ron Quinn, Peach State Bank Barbara Rambo, ProCare Rx Will Schofield, Hall County Schools Dr. Ed Schraeder, Brenau University Darrell Snyder, Georgia Power Milton Turner, Mayor, City of Lula Philip Wilheit, Gainesville Hall County Development Authority Mike Williams, Lanier Islands
Associate Directors 2014-2015 Michael Baldwin, Charter Business Morgan House, Lake Lanier Olympic Venue Dawn Justus, United Community Bank Terry Merck, American Yazaki David Miller, Brenau University Debbie Morrin, ComCast Spotlight Ryan Owen, Kubota
Clay Pilgrim, Rushton & Company Carol Shirley, South State Bank Jeff Sims, Hamilton State Bank Al Trembley, WSI Digital Rainmakers Staci Tunkel, Center Point Spencer Walker, NGMT
Staff Executive Kit Dunlap, President & CEO Joy Sims, Executive Assistant Economic Development Tim Evans, Vice President Shelley Davis, Vice President Existing Industry Amanda Lewis, Project Manager Finance & Operations David Umberson, Vice President Finance & HR Membership Development Megan Martin, Vice President, Development Kara Tate, Vice President, Membership Sales Education Dana Miller, Vice President
Government Affairs Kit Dunlap, President & CEO South Hall Council Megan Martin, Vice President Membership Community Development Robin Halstead, Vice President VISION 2030 Meg Nivens, Executive Director Marketing & Communications Kemie West, Business Link Editor/Consultant Greater Hall Chamber Welcome Center Robin Halstead, Manager