CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- We're hiring! That's what Charlotte area companies are saying, but complain, it's often tough finding people with the right training.
Now the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce is working to fix that. They're highlighting companies that have figured out how to get the right workforce with unique partnerships.
Many freshmen at Charlotte’s Johnson and Wales University are still figuring out what they want to do, and all are worried about eventually finding a job.
“Oh, it’s constantly on my mind because, you know, you want to come out of school looking for—hopefully having a job set up,” said freshman Chloe Swedzinski.
Johnson and Wales is trying to make that happen. For 10 years the school that trains chefs and hospitality workers has partnered with the world’s leader in the food service industry, the Charlotte-based Compass Group.
“It’s a mutually beneficial partnership,” said Tarun Malik, the Vice President of the Charlotte campus. “We have an idea of what their needs are. They have an idea of what we’re doing in terms of programming.”
The company helps with the school's curriculum and then often hires graduates. For example, they hired more than 100 just this year.
“We realize that hospitality needs quality people and Johnson and Wales specializes in bringing out high quality hospitality students,” said the Compass Group’s Vice President of Human Resources, Raj Pragasam.
He says helping shape the curriculum helps make sure the students get the training they need to be a part of their workforce. The students are grateful.
“It’s amazing Johnson and Wales sets up so many opportunities to help you better understand the industry, to help you get a job,” Swedzinski said.
It's exactly the kind of partnership Charlotte's Chamber of Commerce is hoping other companies and other schools will soon start cooking up.
They’re hosting a special Workforce Development Forum next week and you don’t have to be a member to participate.
Here’s a link with all the details.
