Workforce Development is a top priority for the Rogers Lowell Chamber in 2024. With over 9,000 open jobs across the NWA region, the Chamber works hard each day to help employers fill these positions and develop the workforce of tomorrow. April had four distinct workforce events devoted to showcasing career pathways to students and helping employers hire to fill jobs.

Draft Day NWA:

What It Is: Draft Day NWA hosted students from 17 area school districts and combined live interviews for graduating seniors with a career fair for underclassmen. Seniors took a skills assessment earlier in the year and was matched with interviews with companies looking for those skills. In total, nearly 1,200 interviews were conducted with many moving forward in the hiring process. Nearly 50 area employers were also on-site to showcase career pathways for all attendees.

Why It Matters: A strong focus was put on skilled trades and non-degree positions so students can get good paying jobs without the lingering burden of student debt. Showcasing in-demand careers paying livable wages shows students that they have options for their future. We are slowly working towards a generational shift moving towards college being “A” pathway to success, but not “The” pathway to success.