Our mission is to create the leaders and workforce of tomorrow by focusing on leadership, education and workforce development.
Purpose
The Waco Chamber of Commerce Community Development Foundation exists for the betterment of the Greater Waco community. It focuses on initiatives that support leadership, education and workforce development to create a strong talent pipeline and the leaders of tomorrow for the continued growth and prosperity of our community.
Areas of Focus
Supporting the Utilization and Success of the Region's Industrial Training Center, The WorkSITE
- Engaging local businesses, educational institutions, and the community to promote active participation in the center’s programs and services for skilling and upskilling the region’s workforce.
Convening Community Based Organizations to Build Regional Workforce
- Bringing together the region’s community based organizations to collaborate on creating technical career and post-secondary education and training pathways.
- Launching a regional communications plan to bring awareness of technical career opportunities.
Connecting Businesses and Education
- Fostering partnerships between businesses and educational institutions to build a career-ready workforce.
- Working with K-12 schools and higher education institutions to equip students for successful technical careers.
- Providing student internship, industry tour, job shadowing and teacher externship opportunities to raise awareness of technical career opportunities and pathways.
Engaging the Area Industry Managers and Building a Talent Pipeline Management System
- Activating AIM and leveraging their expertise to bridge the gap between business and education.
- Developing a Talent Pipeline Management system by aligning education with local industry needs.
- Ensure a skilled and job-ready workforce by informing curriculum and program development that aligns with evolving industry demands.
Supporting the inWaco Digital Talent Recruitment Initiative
- Attract individuals with targeted traits and skills to the Greater Waco marketplace.
- Enhancing Waco’s talent pool by utilizing digital platforms to identify and communicate with prospective talent, especially entrepreneurially minded individuals and the creative class.
Scaling the Leadership, Education, and Development (LEAD) Program
- Providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and industry tours for high school students to build the future workforce and their understanding of technical career opportunities.
- Empower students with the tools to make educated and transformative decisions for post-secondary education, training, and career pathways.
- Since 2010, LEAD has awarded over $600,000 in scholarships with 98% of students pursuing post-secondary education and training.
News
The Waco Chamber Community Development Foundation Awarded Grant from the Howmet Aerospace Foundation
Greater Waco Chamber Welcomes New Director of Public Policy & Chamber Foundation
Board Chair: Rick Tullis – Capstone Mechanical (retired)
Vice Chair: Jennifer Manning – Pattillo, Brown, & Hill, LLP
George Chase – Insurors of Texas
Jacob Hogan – Director of Chamber Foundation, Greater Waco Chamber
Kent Keahey – Providence Healthcare Network (retired)
Kary Lalani – Lalani Lodging
Matt Meadors – Greater Waco Chamber
Ed Page – HEB (retired)
Mike Reitmeier – JRBT (retired)
Mark Reynolds – Extraco Banks
Loren Schwartz – Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
More information:
Jacob Hogan | Director of Public Policy & Chamber Foundation
(254) 757-5631 | JHogan@wacochamber.com