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:

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; www.whenworkworks.org

Conversations with Human Resource Professionals: actively engaged with HR executives to better understand their recruitment and retention challenges; identify skill & training gaps, plus, find solutions to fill the gaps; The Triangle Society for Human Resource Management is a Chamber partner in these efforts, with over 500 members from companies throughout the Triangle. Their Workforce Readiness Committee, led by our Chamber Workforce Development Director, helps ensure today and tomorrow’s workforce has 21st century global economy skills and competencies to succeed in the workplace. 

New & Expanding Industry – connect Durham companies to local resources for training, recruitment and retention; Partners: DWDB/JobLink, ESC Durham Technical Community College, North Carolina Central University, Duke University 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 and Triangle Society of Human Resource Management. 

For pictures of a previous Middle School Career EXPO:  Click here!

Educators in the Workplace - recruit employers to host teachers and counselors and their work sights. Partner: DPS Superintendent's Business Advisory Council.

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

Career Readiness Workshop for Workshop for DPS High School Students.  This annual spring event provides mock interviews and a mini career EXPO with local training options. Partners: DPS & DTCC Career and Technical Education.

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

Job Development for Re-entry participants through a partnership with Durham County’s Criminal Justice Resource Center.

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.

Board Memberships – Durham Public Schools Superintendent’s Business Advisory Council, Durham Technical Community College Advisory Board, Triangle Society of Human Resource Management Board.

For Additional Information, Contact:

Kathy Hoffmeier, Director of Talent & Workforce Development, (919) 328-8752 khoffmeier@durhamchamber.org