The Louisa County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Louisa Forward Foundation, successfully hosted the Business Forum: “Bridging the Gap: Building Tomorrow’s Skilled Workforce Today” on January 22 at Shenandoah Crossing Resort. The event brought together business leaders, educators, and workforce development experts to discuss pressing workforce challenges in the utilities, construction, and manufacturing industries.

With labor shortages, an aging workforce, and evolving skill requirements impacting these critical sectors, the forum aimed to provide actionable strategies and highlight available resources for businesses to recruit, train, and retain skilled workers.

Industry Experts Share Workforce Solutions

The event featured two panel discussions focusing on education and workforce development as well as resources and funding opportunities available to businesses.

Education Panel:

• Bo Bundrick, CTE Director, Louisa County Public Schools
• Elizabeth Creamer, Vice President of Workforce Development, Community College Workforce Alliance
• Dr. Leonda Keniston, Vice President for Academic Affairs & Workforce Development, Piedmont Virginia Community College

These experts discussed the importance of career and technical education (CTE), the role of community colleges in workforce training, and the power of partnerships between businesses and educators to address labor shortages.

🔹 Watch the Education Panel Discussion: CLICK HERE

Resource Panel:

• Alisha Bazemore, Ed.D., Assistant Director of Innovative Work-Based Learning Initiatives, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
• Casey Hollins, Managing Director of Public Relations and Communications, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
• Jennifer Hynson, Registered Apprenticeship Consultant, Virginia Works
• Jim Robertson, Manager of Member Services and Communications, Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives

Panelists shared workforce funding opportunities, apprenticeship programs, and strategies for long-term workforce retention. They emphasized the importance of collaboration between industry leaders and workforce organizations in sustaining a strong labor force.

🔹 Watch the Resource Panel Discussion: CLICK HERE

Resource Fair Provides Workforce Development Tools 

The event also featured a Resource Fair, where businesses and workforce organizations showcased programs, tools, and partnerships to help employers navigate workforce challenges.

Participating organizations included:

• Clark Technologies
• Virginia Talent and Opportunity Partnership
• Reynolds Community College
• Louisa County Career & Technical Education
• Community College Workforce Alliance
• 29News WVIR-TV
• SAM FM 105.5 | 95.3 Classic Hits and WJMA 103.1 Today’s Country
• The Central Virginian
• Virginia Works
• Piedmont Virginia Community College

A Call to Action: Strengthening the Workforce Pipeline

“The challenges businesses face in recruiting and retaining skilled labor are not going away, but through collaboration, education, and access to the right resources, we can build a stronger workforce for the future,” said Tracy Hale Clark, Executive Director of the Louisa County Chamber of Commerce.

Attendees left the forum with tangible workforce solutions, new connections with industry experts, and a commitment to strengthening talent pipelines in Louisa County and beyond.

Special Thanks

We extend our appreciation to our host sponsor, Clark Technologies, for their generous support in making this event possible. Additionally, we would like to thank the Louisa County Public Schools Career & Technical Education (CTE) program for providing photography and videography, ensuring these important discussions are captured and shared with a broader audience.