Chamber Receives Award for Education

     The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce was recently recognized for its outstanding work in promoting career and technical education.  The Chamber was presented with the Regional Business and Industry Partnership Award for Region 6 in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
     The award was presented by the Virginia Department of Education with assistance from the Virginia Advisory Committee for Career and Technical Education, the Virginia Career Education Foundation, and the Virginia Community College System.
      The Chamber was nominated by the Danville Public Schools and the Pittsylvania County Schools for their organization, funding, and hosting of its annual Career Day for career and technical education students in the two school divisions, as well as their ongoing efforts in career and technical education.
      “The Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce recognized the importance of career choice and exploration in a region that has experienced a sharp decline in available jobs,” commented Gregg Mason and Brad Bryant who submitted the application on behalf of the two school divisions.
     “The Chamber seeks new businesses and industry to locate in Southside Virginia and strives to create career opportunities for students to remain in the region.  Chamber members also played an integral role in educating students with career preparation through interviewing seminars held at each high school,” according to the nomination letter.
      The 2007 Career Day event was attended by 290 students from the two school divisions.  The Chamber provided 70 volunteers from local business and industry to serve as presenters and facilitators at the day-long event.  The cost of $7,650 was shouldered by the Chamber and a locally awarded grant. Local colleges and degree programs provided informational booths and door prizes.
     During months of preparation, school representatives were consulted in regards to planning, implementation, and post event evaluation.  CTE teachers facilitated the compiling of individual career interests surveys and provided students with career fair preparation.  Over forty CTE teachers and several high school guidance counselors participated in the event to learn about the region's job market and to gain ideas to update local curriculum.  A formal evaluation showed that the industry representatives were impressed with the quality of preparation the students receive from their CTE programs.  Participating students said that the Career Day and the school-based interview simulation had strengthened their knowledge of job skills, developed their career confidence, and made them fully aware of the vast opportunities available in the region.
      Accepting the award at a recognition luncheon in Richmond were Julie Brown of the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research and a member of the Chamber’s Education Committee and Gregg Mason of Danville Public Schools.  Virginia Secretary of Education Thomas R. Morris was the featured speaker at the awards presentation.