Coming from his background in higher education policy, Brian Crouse, vice president of education programs at the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, is keenly aware of how critical it is to bridge the gap between what the education sector provides for students and what the business community needs from potential workers coming out of their pipeline. The Business Leads Fellowship offered him a new process and tools to communicate more effectively with these stakeholders.

High school students and business alike gain tremendous benefits from working together. Tyng Kam, manager of Stride Student Success Coaching, outlines what employers achieve from expanding internship roles to include younger workers.

Cheryl Oldham, senior vice president at the Center for Education and Workforce (CEW), recently testified with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Artificial Intelligence Commission on Competitiveness, Inclusion, and Innovation (AI Commission) on specific efforts that the U.S. Chamber Foundation has initiated as the country prepares students for the workforce and provides opportunities for others to reskill, with a particular focus on healthcare.

Thomas Paden, President of the Canton Chamber of Commerce, is focused on developing career pathways for high school students in the community through Future Fit, a four-step program that offers opportunities in business, healthcare, hospitality, or trade.