Tag Archives: Chamber Foundation

Chamber’s Laura Russ Graduates from Talent Pipeline Management Academy®   

June 23, 2023 

 

Albany Area Chamber Foundation’s Laura Russ Graduates from Elite U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation TPM Academy®   

72 participants join a network of more than 850 professionals committed to building high-performing talent pipelines  

 

Albany, Ga. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced that Laura Russ, strategic initiatives coordinator at the Albany Area Chamber Foundation, graduated from Cohort XXIII of the national organizations’ premie

r workforce development program, the TPM Academy®. This program is facilitated by the U.S. Chamber Foundation based on its Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) framework and was funded by the Lumina Foundation.  

Russ was selected to participate in this cohort along with 71 other leaders from across the United States representing the business community, economic development agencies, community colleges and community-based org-

Laura Russ, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator at the Albany Area Chamber Foundation

anizations. Individuals were selected by a panel of their peers based on their understanding of the skills gap challenges in the community they serve, a demonstrated understanding of the TPM approach and a track record of putting plans into action.   

“TPM is a nationally-recognized framework that seeks to unlock employer leadership and orchestrate talent supply chains aligned to industry demand,” says Cheryl Oldham, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber Foundation. “We congratulate the graduates of the TPM Academy and look forward to seeing how these leaders will apply what they have learned to improve career pathways for opportunity populations in their communities.” 

The Albany Area Chamber Foundation, the 501©3 affiliate of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, leads talent, economic, entrepreneurial and innovation initiatives that provide impact beyond the business community’s normal reach. Programming includes the Albany-Dougherty County Works! Talent Development Strategy 2.0; FLEX ABY, Albany’s first youth entrepreneurship competition; and Propel+, a youth talent development initiative that through connection nurtures, provides for and empowers Albany’s female youth to design their paths.  

 “A talented work force with the knowledge and skills to meet evolving employer needs is driving business success, economic development and community success,” said Bárbara Rivera Holmes, president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber and the Albany Area Chamber Foundation. “We are proud that Laura has completed the TPM Academy and that, working with our employers and partners, will apply the experience to advance the Albany Area Chamber Foundation’s efforts to build a modern and adaptive work force.” 

 Upon completion of the training, TPM Academy graduates join the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s dedicated network of more than 850 workforce and economic development professionals from 44 U.S. states, Washington D.C. and Canada to build dynamic, sustainable talent pipelines and close the skills gap for their industry.  

“I am passionate about helping build Albany’s talent pipeline,” said Russ, who holds a PhD from the University of South Carolina. “The TPM approach is data driven, employer led and will catapult Albany’s efforts to align talent pipeline to local business needs.” 

To learn more about Talent Pipeline Management and the TPM Academy, visit the U.S. Chamber Foundation website.  

The Albany Area Chamber Foundation, founded in 1991, leads talent, economic, innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives that provide impact beyond the business community’s normal reach. The Albany Area Chamber Foundation is the 501(c)3 affiliate of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at www.albanyga.com. 

 The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1910, is leading a multi-year strategic effort to advance economic opportunities and a thriving community. With a diverse business community in our corner, the Albany Area Chamber works diligently to serve area businesses, develop strategies that help our community prosper and design the path of Albany’s future. Learn more at www.albanyga.com.  

 

Albany Area Chamber Foundation shares strategy to boost work force

Business and education leaders discuss trends, opportunities and challenges during the Albany Area Chamber and Albany Area Chamber Foundation’s April 12 Talent Summit Rise N Shine at which the comprehensive Albany-Dougherty County Works! Talent Strategy 2.0 was shared.

 

April 17, 2023

Albany Area Chamber Foundation presents talent development strategy to boost work force

 

Albany — The Albany Area Chamber Foundation recently presented the Albany-Dougherty County Works! Talent Strategy 2.0, developed through a steering committee collaborative of private- and public-sector partners to boost the local work force pipeline and create more opportunities for youth, adult citizens and employers. The strategy presents an update to the work plan designed in 2019 and released in 2020 in partnership with the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission.

“The Albany Area Chamber and Albany Area Chamber Foundation, educational institutions, strategic partners, employers and the Albany community have placed priority emphasis, advocacy and action on creating, developing and expanding talent through innovative education, business partnerships and experiential learning,” said Barbara Rivera Holmes, president & CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce and its 501©3 affiliate, the Albany Area Chamber Foundation. “These efforts have produced significant results for our community. The Albany-Dougherty County Works! Talent Strategy 2.0 is a continued and coordinated focus on programs and initiatives that build Albany’s work force.”

The strategy was shared at the April 12 Talent Summit Rise N Shine hosted by the Albany Area Chamber at Albany State University’s West Campus.

The 18-month work plan focuses on three priorities: Community Coordination & Communication; Youth Pipeline Development; and Continued Adult Preparation. Priorities in these categories include development a campaign focused on career path stories and an informative and interactive jobs and work force development platform; expansion of career exposure and awareness for Dougherty County students; assessment of job market needs to build a business-aligned work force; and coordination with area employers to codevelop industry pipeline training programs and certifications.

“Talent is the new infrastructure. A talented, qualified and available work force drives decisions – and success – for our existing businesses and new businesses,” said Holmes said.

Initiatives implemented as a result of the first talent strategy include learning tours that allow educators to tour local employers and learn first-hand more about the skills students need to be successful in the work place; helping students connection and mentorships with the business community; upskilling programs for parents and adults in the work force; youth entrepreneurial development, initiated through FLEX ABY, Albany’s first youth entrepreneurship competition; and development of a network of partners communicating on work force development initiatives

The Albany-Dougherty County Works! Talent Strategy 2.0 was facilitated by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. The road map can be viewed at bit.ly/AlbanyDoughertyWorks2023. Community partners interested in serving on the implementation teams for the strategy may do so at bit.ly/TeamADCWorks2023 or by calling the Albany Area Chamber at (229) 434-8700.

The Albany Area Chamber’s Rise N Shine series is presented by Webb Properties. The Talent Summit Rise N Shine was sponsored by ReEnergy – Albany Green Energy, Albany Technical College, Albany State University and the Albany Area Chamber Foundation.

The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1910 and is leading a multi-year strategic effort to advance the business and economic success, and economic opportunities in Albany and the Albany Area. Through membership and its ambassador program, the Albany Area Chamber reaches citizens and businesses throughout Southwest Georgia. Learn more at www.albanyga.com.

The Albany Area Chamber Foundation, founded in 1991, is the 501(c)3 affiliate of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce and advances the Albany Area through leadership, research and action, and leads work force, economic and entrepreneurial initiatives that provide impact beyond the business community’s normal reach. The Albany Area Chamber Foundation provides research and insight that educates and empowers business and community leaders.