Education Committee
Purpose Statement
To assist and act as a liaison between the education and business communities, to develop a stronger partnership between the two. The committee will create on-going programs to bring business & education together to develop young leaders and develop a workforce that will keep mid-Missouri competitive when attracting and retaining business.
Goals
Develop, organize and promote programs and activities which achieve the strategic goals for the Chamber.
- Promote workforce development by assisting students & teachers to identify work skills needed in today's work environment; promote adult skill development.
- Continue the Career Days program for seventh graders in the Columbia Public School District.
- Investigate options for adult workforce development.
- Strengthen the bonds between higher education and the business community with the intent of identifying and developing young leaders. Educate college students on ways to contribute and develop in a community.
- Support Project Intern: Teach. Train. Retain.
- Utilize the talents of past Junior Leadership Columbia and Leadership Columbia classes.
- Support Chamber initiatives to retain outstanding college graduates as Columbia residents and workforce members.
- Enhance and promote the partnerships between business and elementary and secondary schools.
- Maintain representation and involvement with Junior Achievement.
- The Education Committee will monitor legislation that affects all levels of education and will communicate those positions to the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee.
- Reinforce the Chamber's role in supporting the CPS Partners in Education program.
- Promote the need for business involvement in issues related to early childhood development (ECD) and elementary school readiness.
- Provide opportunities for continued collaboration and communication between early childhood entities, Chamber members and the business community about ECD.
- Advocate for high quality early learning opportunities through presentations to the business community.
- Provide support for early childhood initiatives.
- Promote awareness and support of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program as locally administered by the Heart of Missouri United Way.
- Support early childhood summits or seminars as deemed appropriate by committee.
- Provide opportunities for continued collaboration and communication about early childhood education between early childhood entities, Chamber members and the business community.
Scholarship
- Promote, administer and audit the Chamber of Commerce Russell V. Thompson Scholarship.
Committee Development
- Actively recruit new members to the committee and the sub-committees.
Benefit Statement
This committee acts as the conduit between the business and education communities; creates opportunities to improve our workforce, both current and future; promotes the importance of education for economic well being.
