Members of the new Downingtown-Thorndale Chamber Business and Education committee.
DOWNINGTOWN — Downingtown-Thorndale Regional Chamber of Commerce announces the formation of a new Business and Education Council.
Made up of Chamber business leaders and educators from the Downingtown and Coatesville school districts, and the Chester County Intermediate Unit’s Technical College High School, the Business and Education Council held its first meeting to address their program of work.
“We at the Chamber are honored to be partnering with many local educators to help establish a connection between local students and the business community. Our goal is to provide students with real-world business partners who can help mentor, provide internships and job shadowing opportunities. Workforce development is a focus of many business organizations throughout Chester County and we are excited to be one of the organizations at the forefront of the movement,” said Mike Glover, Chamber President.
A preliminary outline of the Council’s work includes:
- Connect students with employment, internship, job shadow, and other work-to-learn opportunities in the region.
- Create at least one annual event incorporating the above, open to all students in the region.
- Educate employers about the benefits and state requirements for these opportunities.
- Gain input from the business community regarding needed workforce development efforts in our schools.
“The establishment of the Business & Education Council by the Chamber represents an important step in facilitating a vital conversation. The amazing schools in our region employ the best educators in the Commonwealth. With enhanced communication surrounding the workforce development needs of our local businesses, our first-rate educators can better prepare students for meaningful and productive lives outside of the classroom,” said Troy Podell of the Downingtown Area School District and Chamber Board Member.
“Local business benefit in a myriad of ways by partnering with their local schools. K-12 education represents 13 years of free workforce development. It provides an avenue to recruit talent while promoting your industry. Further, it provides your business with positive branding, often through earned media. It’s also both fun and fulfilling to help young people get their start. It’s why I became an educator in the first place,” said Podell.
The Chamber will introduce the new Business and Education Council to the business community at its Networking Luncheon on May 21 at the Technical College High School, Brandywine Campus in Downingtown.
Established in 1945, the Downingtown-Thorndale Regional Chamber of Commerce was formed to provide leadership in the business community to ensure continuing economic prosperity. In present day, the Chamber strives in setting the standard for excellence in member service by advancing the civic, economic and business interests of the Downingtown-Thorndale region, by promoting commerce, education and employment. To learn more about the Chamber contact Steven Plaugher, Executive Director at 610-269-1523 or splaugher@dtrcc.com. Website www.dtrcc.com.
