Last Wednesday, the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Georgia Business Leaders United joined twenty-five business leaders from six southern states on a fly in to Washington, D.C.
Last Wednesday, the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Georgia Business Leaders United joined twenty-five business leaders from six southern states (Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama) in Washington, D.C. to advocate for investments in apprenticeship and training programs that prepare workers for in-demand fields.
The Georgia BLU delegation included Amy Lancaster, Director of Workforce Development at MAC; Mike Kenig, Vice Chairman at Holder Construction; Scott Burton, President at Whitaker-Taylor; along with representatives and business members of the Cobb Chamber and Douglas County Development Authority. The group met with Senators and Representatives, staff from Speaker of the House Paul Ryan’s office, as well as with leadership from the House Ways and Means and Education and Workforce Committees. The employers urged policymakers to invest in the skills of America’s workers with the goals of closing the skills gap and developing a pipeline of skilled, trained workers that can meet the demand of growing industries. They shared their workforce challenges, especially their inability to find enough skilled, trained workers. And, they urged key lawmakers to improve the way apprenticeship and career and technical education works so they better align with the needs of businesses.
