Chamber is giving work force new focus

Separate division concentrateson development, recruitment

Monday, October 02, 2006

By MARIAN ACCARDI

Times Business Writer marian.accardi@htimes.com

A new division has been created at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce that will focus on supporting work force development, recruitment and retention.

Resources and initiatives that deal with work force issues are already available in the community through business, academic and government sources, said Lucia Cape, the chamber's new vice president for work force. The new division, she said, will "bring together these resources so we're operating efficiently" to supply capable, skilled workers to support the area's growing economy.

"The chamber is a great place to initiate unity among these parties," Cape said.

"The chamber has a very specific strategic plan in place, and one of those strategic initiatives is to develop the work force in Huntsville/Madison County," said Jim Bolte, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama and vice chair of work force development for the Chamber of Commerce.

No separate division at the chamber had focused solely on work force development, though, and Bolte formally proposed a separate work force division with its own vice president, a proposal that was approved a couple of months ago by the chamber's board.

"Given the task in front of us in North Alabama - with all the jobs coming," said Bolte, "it's very important that we as a chamber adequately and organizationally staff" the work force development effort.

One of the priorities for the division is assisting Redstone Arsenal "to make sure we have the work force to support BRAC," said Cape. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission's decision means about 4,700 defense jobs will be relocated to Redstone.

The work force initiative isn't just focused on BRAC or other new jobs, though.

"Work force quality and availability are leading factors in economic development," said Brian Hilson, the chamber's president and chief executive. In addition to supporting work force needs by companies coming into the area, the needs and growth objectives of local companies is among the chamber's highest priorities, Hilson said. "Much of our new job growth is expected to come from local business expansions."

Cape will also support initiatives to improve the retention of young professionals while recruiting from outside the area.

Bolte said the work force division will promote educational opportunities that bolster and spark imagination, particularly opportunities that support math and science education in area schools. "We want to ensure our schools can grow the talent to fuel our local economy," Bolte said.



Chamber is giving work force new focus Separate division concentrateson development, recruitment Monday, October 02, 2006 By MARIAN ACCARDI Times Business Writer marian.accardi@htimes.com A new division has been created at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce that will focus on supporting work force development, recruitment and retention. Resources and initiatives that deal with work force issues are already available in the community through business, academic and government sources, said Lucia Cape, the chamber's new vice president for work force. The new division, she said, will "bring together these resources so we're operating efficiently" to supply capable, skilled workers to support the area's growing economy. "The chamber is a great place to initiate unity among these parties," Cape said. "The chamber has a very specific strategic plan in place, and one of those strategic initiatives is to develop the work force in Huntsville/Madison County," said Jim Bolte, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama and vice chair of work force development for the Chamber of Commerce. No separate division at the chamber had focused solely on work force development, though, and Bolte formally proposed a separate work force division with its own vice president, a proposal that was approved a couple of months ago by the chamber's board. "Given the task in front of us in North Alabama - with all the jobs coming," said Bolte, "it's very important that we as a chamber adequately and organizationally staff" the work force development effort. One of the priorities for the division is assisting Redstone Arsenal "to make sure we have the work force to support BRAC," said Cape. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission's decision means about 4,700 defense jobs will be relocated to Redstone. The work force initiative isn't just focused on BRAC or other new jobs, though. "Work force quality and availability are leading factors in economic development," said Brian Hilson, the chamber's president and chief executive. In addition to supporting work force needs by companies coming into the area, the needs and growth objectives of local companies is among the chamber's highest priorities, Hilson said. "Much of our new job growth is expected to come from local business expansions." Cape will also support initiatives to improve the retention of young professionals while recruiting from outside the area. Bolte said the work force division will promote educational opportunities that bolster and spark imagination, particularly opportunities that support math and science education in area schools. "We want to ensure our schools can grow the talent to fuel our local economy," Bolte said. © 2006 The Huntsville Times © 2006 al.com All Rights Reserved.