Success Stories

Program Accomplishments In April 2005, the Peninsula Alliance for Economic Development’s Workforce Development Department was officially named the Peninsula Council for Workforce Development. Since time we have a number of success stories. Here are a few of our major accomplishments:   A Regional Senior Exit Survey was distributed to more than 2,000 graduating high school seniors across the region in June 2005 to determine where the gaps are in career readiness skills and activities in public schools. Forty-eight percent of these students completed the survey. The findings were distributed to superintendents area wide.   From August 2005 through March 2006, 10 half-hour shows were produced to air on Newport News Channel 48, in addition to be rebroadcast on local access channels in York County, Williamsburg and Hampton. Topics for the Workforce Development on the Greater Peninsula" talk shows ranged from an overview of the workforce on the Peninsula and the many workforce partners to a discussion about a manufacturing pipeline grant and helping youth plan for the future.   The Greater Peninsula State of the Workforce Report was completed in September 2005. This document, which contains information developed by the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce, contains employment summaries that focus on four of the area’s major industry segments: manufacturing, health care, construction and hospitality. The report was distributed to partners and is available to businesses considering locating on the Peninsula.   Local mayors and chairmen of the boards of supervisors in all seven municipalities recognized October 2005 as Workforce Development Month.   Employer open houses and tours were held in the Hampton and Williamsburg Workforce Centers in October 2005 to discuss Peninsula Worklink services available to employers.   The Career Cluster Workshop Series, which served middle and high school students region wide, kicked off in October 2005 and continued through winter 2006.   The Peninsula Construction Academy announced in June 2006 that it would be up and running by fall at the New Horizons Regional Education Center in Hampton. The new certification program is designed to help alleviate the construction industry’s shortage of skilled labor.   Youth Career Café, a center that allows youth to explore career opportunities and develop work skills, opened in May 2006 at the Coliseum Mall in Hampton.   The Financial Services Management program at Thomas Nelson Community College was finalized in March 2006.   Customer service training sessions were held in fall 2005 and spring 2006.