Leading Forward: Education, Industry & the Future Workforce

The workforce we need tomorrow is being prepared today. The question is: Are education and industry connected closely enough to prepare them for what comes next?

Join the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce for the November installment of Leading Forward: A Leadership & Economic Outlook Series, as we bring together leaders representing K-12 education, technical education, higher education, and emerging professionals for a forward-looking conversation about strengthening the CSRA's workforce pipeline.

PANELISTS

• Dr. Corey Murphy, Superintendent, Aiken County Public School District
• Dr. Forest Mahan, President, Aiken Technical College
• Mrs. Kristina Baggott, MBA, Vice President-Corporate & Community Engagement, Augusta University
• TBD, Young Professional

This is not an institutional update or a traditional education panel. The discussion will focus on one central question:

How do we create a stronger connection between what our students experience in education and the opportunities employers need them prepared to enter?

Together, our panelists will explore career awareness and technical education, college and career pathways, apprenticeships and work-based learning, employer engagement, changing skill expectations, AI and technology, upskilling, and what it will take to attract and retain the next generation of talent in the CSRA.

Just as importantly, we'll turn the conversation toward business: What must employers contribute to workforce development rather than simply expecting education to produce job-ready workers?

Who Should Attend?

This conversation is especially relevant for:

• Business owners, CEOs and senior leaders
• HR, talent acquisition and workforce professionals
• Employers experiencing recruitment or skills challenges
• Manufacturers, health care providers, professional services firms and other major workforce sectors
• Small businesses interested in building their future talent pipeline
• Education and workforce development partners
• Young professionals and emerging leaders
• Community and economic development leaders
• Any employer interested in internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, career awareness or other education partnerships

Whether your organization already has a successful education partnership, wants to establish one, or simply doesn't know where to begin, there is a place for your business in this conversation.

Come prepared not only to listen—but to consider how your organization can help build the workforce our region will need next.

Prepare. Connect. Employ. Retain.

That's how we move the CSRA workforce forward.