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Workforce21 Summit Highlights Economic Development Progress in Southwestern Illinois

COLLINSVILLE-Business professionals, government officials, educators and other key leaders in the southwestern Illinois region gathered together September 22, 2006, at the Gateway Convention Center to discuss the progress of economic development in the region. Two years ago the findings of a community audit entitled, 21 st Century Workforce Strategic Plan and Community Audit were revealed. The audit revealed the needs of the area in regard to the workforce. In response to these findings, the Madison-Bond and Mid-America Workforce Investment Boards formed a partnership with others in the region called “Workforce21: The Power of Partnership.”

Workforce21: The Power of Partnership created two vital taskforces to deal with the labor force issues in the region. They were called “Connecting Business with Education” and “Supporting Economic Development.”

Workforce21 Speakers

David Stoecklin, Executive Director of the Madison County Employment and Training Center, commented on the progress of the past two years, “ This summit has highlighted not only our accomplishments, but the true partnerships we have in place.  As much as we have done, there is so much more to do, and that will only happen through the partnership we have with the various entities.”

The Connecting Business and Education taskforce plans to launch an interactive website later this year, which will connect educators with businesses. This will allow student/business matches for internships, job shadowing, apprenticeships and countless us learning opportunities.

Stoecklin credits the education and business sector for the progress occurring in the region. “The Connecting Business and Education taskforce has done a great job.  The efforts in the Tri-City area and those in the Riverbend area are real testaments to the commitment we have from both education and business.  In both areas the Chambers have been the critical component for our progress.  Also, I also cannot fail to mention the hard work we have seen from the education community.  Although education must answer to many masters, they have found the time to help us achieve real progress in bringing education in touch with business needs.”

The summit also revealed the great strides the Supporting Economic Development taskforce has made. An Entrepreneurial Summit was held in October 2005 and a follow-up summit will take place November 14.

Ed Barlow presenting keynote address

Ed Barlow, President of Creating the Future, Inc. presented the keynote address. His topic, “Preparing a 21st Century Workforce,” challenged the various stakeholders of the region to re-evaluate their ideas and processes for regional development.

Barlow discussed the importance of preparing each generation for the workforce of the future. He emphasized that globalization and a “virtual world” of technology demands a highly skilled workforce. He challenged educators and business leaders to re-examine traditional methods of education and replace those with what is needed for the workforce of tomorrow.

Dr. Ken Perkins, Superintendent of the Granite City School District commented on the information presented. “The Workforce 21 conference was a wonderful opportunity to hear about real world problems happening in a real-time world, and what we, as educators, need to be thinking about to confront possible solutions.  It was an opportunity to let my mind wander outside the box, as it were, and envision what kind of an educational setting we need to be developing in order for our students to be successful in an international and global economy.”

Alan Dunstan, Chairman of the Madison County Board said the region will continue to progress as effective and lasting partnerships are formed. “Today is not only a celebration of accomplishment, but also a ‘call to action'. We have more work to do, but we have the tools all around us … and those tools are our businesses, workers, educators and government … those tools are our citizens.”

The Madison-Bond Workforce Investment Board and the Mid-America Workforce Investment Board will continue their partnership to address the challenges faced by the local region and will continue to take steps to build the best possible workforce now and in the future.

Attendees at the Conference