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Cultivating Talent in Washington, Missouri
Washington, Missouri, is thinking about its future. The small town on the banks of the Missouri River in Franklin County has implemented a public-private partnership that works to engage local students in meaningful career exploration. And the Washington Chamber of Commerce, an Affiliate Chamber Member of Greater St. Louis, inc., is playing a big role.
The program, called Connect Washington, helps shape students into ready and prepared professionals, while offering a talent pipeline for local industry. What began as a small collaboration is now a community-wide system that reaches students from preschool to senior year.
At its core, Connect Washington is a partnership. In addition to the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce — one of the largest chambers in the St. Louis region representing more than 500 members — teachers, administrators, counselors, and school district leadership work with the City of Washington and Downtown Washington. Together, they’ve developed a network of opportunities for both students and businesses, including job shadowing, internships and apprenticeships, career fairs, advisory committees, and real-world projects.
“This program really reinforces the critical role chambers of commerce can play in bringing education and business together, and just how important partnerships are to community success,” said Brooke Hiller, who, as Director of Engagement for Greater St. Louis, Inc., works directly with chambers all over the region. “From providing access to employers and convening stakeholders to helping articulate the needs of the workforce, chambers are uniquely positioned to champion programs like this in their own communities.”
Connect Washington is not just a program; it’s a system-wide approach that aligns values, skills, and opportunities to create a workforce that’s prepared and invested in the community. These future leaders are gaining skills from an early age that are preparing them for their future. For any chamber exploring how to deepen its role in workforce development, Washington offers a compelling, replicable model of success.
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