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Education & Workforce Conference: Virtual

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August 13, 2020

Following recommendations issued by Governor Cooper and the CDC, the NC Chamber’s Education & Workforce Conference will be a virtual event. Our team remains in close contact with state officials and we feel that this decision is in the best interest of the health and welfare of our community. Thank you for understanding. 

North Carolina’s CEOs have stated that their number one concern is the availability of skilled talent.

Today’s employers are ever more aware of the need for effective education systems at all levels to ensure students are prepared for the 21st-century global marketplace. This event brings together educators and business leaders to share ideas and collaborate on the roles each can play in ensuring the state’s students are college and career ready for the jobs of tomorrow.

Educators may be eligible to earn continuing education credits for attending. Please check with your LEA for approval.

Presented By
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Agenda

Thursday, August 13
8:05 amAttendees Admitted to Conference
8:15 amOpening Remarks

Debra Derr, Director of Government Affairs, NC Chamber

8:30 amThe Future of Jobs in North Carolina: The Impacts of COVID-19

Dr. Michael Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University

9:00 amNetworking Break
9:10 amProtecting a Future Talent Pipeline after COVID-19: Increasing 3rd-Grade Reading Proficiency

With early literacy rates stagnating in North Carolina and exacerbated by COVID-19, learn how the business community is working to strengthen the foundations for third-grade reading proficiency, including increasing access to the NC Pre-K program and ensuring the effectiveness of early literacy instruction.

  • Sepi Saidi, CEO, SEPI, Inc.
  • Trey Rabon, President, AT&T North Carolina
  • Dr. Anthony Graham, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Winston-Salem State University
  • Moderator: Dr. Ann Bullock, Dean, College of Education, Elon University
9:55 amNetworking Break
10:05 amAligning the Skills Needs of Business with Education Post COVID-19

As the state begins its recovery from COVID-19, increasing education attainment aligned with the needs of business is more urgent than ever. Learn how North Carolina businesses are engaging with education sectors to determine and develop the credentials and degrees needed for the post-pandemic jobs of the future through regional, industry sector, and economic development efforts.

  • Dedra Flournoy, Vice President, Human Resources, Merchant Distributors, LLC
  • Lisa Lassiter, Administrator of Health Careers, Vidant Health
  • Cassi Zumbiel, Director, Workforce Initiatives, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
  • Moderator: Leslie Walden, Vice President, Public Affairs, Fidelity Investments
11:05 amNetworking Break
11:15 amIncreasing Educational Attainment after COVID-19

Overnight, COVID-19 changed the face of education-how students will learn content, interact with teachers, and engage in activities that develop them into adults. Learn how our education sectors, from P-12, community colleges, and four-year universities envision the changes to our education system.

  • J.B. Buxton, Member, NC State Board of Education, and President, Durham Technical Community College
  • Dr. Andrew Kelly, Senior VP for Strategy and Policy, UNC System
  • Dr. David Stegall, Deputy Superintendent of Innovation, NC Department of Public Instruction
  • A. Hope Williams, President, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities
  • Moderator: Lynne Barbour, Regional Manager, Strategic Partnerships, Western Governors University North Carolina
12:15 pmClosing Remarks