MILTON — The Central PA Business Education Association, a 501c3 non-profit organization under the Central PA Chamber of Commerce, offers students and business through programs designed to develop work skills and strengthen the local workforce. We aim to refocus and double our efforts to connect professionals.
In the process of repositioning the business and education coordinator of a nonprofit organization, TJ Akey, president and chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce, further transformed the organization’s objectives into changing education and workforce conditions. He said he felt it needed to match.
“When 501c3 was founded, it was supposed to be responsible for planning, reviewing, and overseeing everything about business and education as a whole,” said Aikey. “For many years we have to keep up with the times and needs. We were redesigning our open position and thought it was the best time to do this.”
Aiki said he envisioned the committee as a broad group of individuals from all sides of the scope of the Business Education Association.
“My first mission is to allow everyone in the categories of business professionals, educators, students, and institutions to come to the table to look up problems and discuss what programs exist. Is to do it, “she said.
In addition to the association’s seminars and training, job fairs, legislative events, and job shadowing opportunities, the revised coordinator position and steering committee will connect members of the community to a range of education and professionals. I will aim. Programs offered at the local and state and national levels.
“There are different initiatives out there, and it’s important that viewers across the region are aware that all these programs already exist,” Aikey said. “There are a lot of great programs, but I think they’re just missing links. Connecting people and groups is one of our high praises as an organization, and connections are about people about these programs. I think it’s the key to letting you know. “
She gave an example of an internship at the Central PA Chamber of Commerce. Despite being a skilled employee with strong work ethics, he did not master the type of skill needed in today’s employment market. The Business Education Association was able to combine the intern with a program that offers free typing classes.
“We think we sometimes lose track of those soft skills, and by searching we found that there are programs available for free to the public here,” Ikey said.
Today, her mission is to expand the reach of the association and serve the widest possible foundation. It begins with ensuring that all students have business and career opportunities.
“We had a big positive impact on our students, but that’s only a handful and we need to have a much bigger impact,” Aikey said.
She emphasizes students who excel not only in academics and athletics, but also in technical and vocational skills, and explains that they want to expand internships, apprenticeships and job shadowing opportunities across a range of student interests and needs. Did.
Aiki has begun encouraging business professionals and educators in the region to join the steering committee and already has 15 potential members. We will also continue to raise the rank of advisors as we rethink the Initiatives of the Business Education Association.
“It won’t happen overnight, but it’s great to get everyone together to discuss student needs, district needs, and employer needs,” says Aikey.
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