Chris Caves, the Quad Cities Chamber’s vice president Business & Economic Growth, has earned her Certificate in Workforce Development Fundamentals, the chamber announced.
Ms. Caves has 25 years experience as a workforce practitioner. She earned the certificate from The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Foundation. She was one of 52 economic development professionals in the initial cohort of recipients.
The joint certificate program empowers professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the intersection of economic and workforce development while closing education gaps, a news release said.
Each recipient completed an intensive and comprehensive six-week curriculum. It featured expert-led sessions, hands-on learning experiences, practical applications of economic and workforce development principles and an online exam.
Both IEDC and ACCE officials say the program advances their commitment to enhancing the skills of chamber staff and economic development professionals while expanding equitable workforce opportunities.
Workforce development key
“Workforce development is economic development,” Ms. Caves said in a chamber news release. “The communities winning the war on talent are those with economic developers and workforce development practitioners partnering within a regional ecosystem to address systemic workforce development issues.”
She said course attendees heard directly from economic development professionals on best practices for incorporating workforce development tactics into their talent attraction and business retention and expansion activities.
“As both an economic and workforce development practitioner, this was an excellent opportunity for me to expand my learning, engage with practitioners from all over the county, and acquire new digital and practical tools to complement my current efforts here at the Quad Cities Chamber,” Ms. Caves said in the release.
IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle said “With the completion of this inaugural certificate program, we are driving holistic economic development solutions that integrate economic growth and talent attraction.”
ACCE President and CEO Sheree Anne Kelly said participants will take back essential skills “to address workforce challenges and promote economic prosperity.”
“Their dedication highlights the pivotal role chambers of commerce and economic development organizations play in shaping the future of our communities, especially when they are working hand-in-hand,” she added. “This program drew interest from across the country, and I am excited to watch the catalytic leadership participants will bring to the challenges and opportunities in their markets.”
