Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Updates Workforce Needs Assessment

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce (KKCC) has released its updated Workforce Needs report that adds new data highlighting educational and training needs for a work-ready workforce and preferred methods to partner with industry.

The report is available online.

“The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Development committee continues to do some very important work by collecting and analyzing information specific to the workforce of this region,” said Wendy Laros, KKCC’s executive director. “Through committee work such as this, the collective knowledge of our community can be realized as we continue to find ways to strengthen our local economy and stimulate workforce development in our area.”

In 2014, the committee set out to conduct a needs assessment as a way of determining the existing and future needs of the Kona-Kohala business community. Three years later, the committee continues to contribute to this ongoing study in hopes of offering a deeper understanding and expansion of concepts that impact workforce development in West Hawai’i.

“As intended by the purpose of this project, we encourage educational organizations, as well as the business community, to utilize this updated report as a tool to further develop curriculum and training programs for the continued growth of West Hawai‘i’s workforce,” said the Chamber’s Education and Workforce Development Committee Chair Dr. Farrah-Marie Gomes.

Collectively, the 2017 West Hawai‘i Workforce Needs report includes the results of a questionnaire sent to KKCC members in 2014, responses from business leaders who participated in focus group discussions in 2015 and data collected in 2016 at the Pohā Ka Lama forum held at the Hawaiʻi Community College – Pālamanui. The intent of the forum was to bring stakeholders together to identify areas where community partners can work together and leverage local resources to create career pathways and workforce readiness in West Hawai‘i.

About the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce
The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce provides leadership and advocacy for a successful business environment in West Hawai‘i. The result of KKCC’s work is a community of choice as reflected in our quality of life, business and individual opportunity and manifest respect for our culture and our natural resources. For info, 329-1758 or visit www.kona-kohala.com.