Talent & Workforce Development

Embracing the Durham Chamber’s commitment to develop home-grown talent that aligns with local human resource needs; engaging employers and educators in the process. Efforts include:

Conversations with Human Resource Professionals – initiate conversations with HR to better understand their recruitment and retention challenges; identify skill & training gaps, plus, find solutions to fill the gaps; Partner: The Triangle Society for Human Resource Management 

New & Expanding Industry – connect Durham companies to local resources for training, recruitment and retention; Partners: DWDB/JobLink, ESC and local education institutions

Middle School Career EXPO for Students and Parent/Guardian(s) – plan and coordinate an evening event to showcase hundreds of careers for students to explore; parents/guardians participate; Partners: Durham Public Schools’ Career & Technical Education, Futures for Kids.  

Durham Careers in Construction, Hospitality and Science – career exploration for K-12; offers speaker’s bureau, resource guides, tours, job shadowing and internships. Partners: Durham Public Schools’ Career & Technical Education, business and educational organizations

High School Job Fair & Beyond High School - recruit employers to participate 

Educators in the Workplace - recruit employers to host teachers and counselors 

Promote Futures for Kids, an on line career exploration tool with Virtual Career Coaches for students in grades 8-12 

Co-host of the State of Durham’s Children Breakfast – an education report and call to action

Workplace Flexibility – promote flexibility as a way to provide work/life balance for employees and increased production for recruit and retain top talent; administer The Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Excellence in Workplace Flexibility; annually recognize winners 

Job Development for Re-entry and Work First participants through a partnership with Durham County’s Criminal Justice Resource Center and Social Services Department

Partner with the Durham Workforce Development Board/JobLink & Employment Security Commission to help at-risk youth, under-skilled & dislocated workers

Public Policy – advocate for policies that support education, from birth through lifelong learning 

Advisory Boards – active member of Durham Public Schools Superintendent’s Business Advisory Council and Durham Technical Community College Advisory Board 

Greater Durham Mentoring Alliance, founding partner 

For Additional Information, Contact:

Kathy Hoffmeier, Director of Talent & Workforce Development, (919) 682-2133 ext 228 khoffmeier@durhamchamber.org