Businesses in Metro Augusta are invited to participate in a program designed to show high school students career possibilities right at home.
The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce is calling on businesses to sign up for a job shadowing opportunity. The annual event, set for Groundhog Day on Feb. 2, is coordinated by the Richmond County School System (RCSS).
“There are so many jobs and job opportunities right here in the CSRA where we can keep our talent right here with us,” Dr. Stacey Mabray, Director of High School Programming & Workforce Development for RCSS, told ABD. “But I, you know, I just really think that our kids aren’t as exposed as they can be. They kind of see that doctor, lawyer, preacher, teacher. Nothing wrong with those careers, but there are so many other amazing careers and skills, trades, small businesses, and entrepreneurship that they can really tap into.”
In-demand jobs of the future, particularly in the skilled trades, are what Chris Clark, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, said are keeping him up at night. He was the keynote speaker for the Augusta Chamber’s Member Economic Luncheon last week.
“We spent 20 years telling every kid they need a four-year degree, and there’s nobody left to build your deck, to fix your plumbing, to run your electrical, to put up the power poles,” he said. “Whose fault is that? That’s a question, whose failing is that? Parents? It’s yours, it’s mine. It’s not our counselors. These opportunities have always been there.”
Mabray said that the message to parents is part of the goal for the job shadowing program.
“We’ve definitely got to give our kids experiences. But the other thing we’ve got to do is, we’ve got to educate our parents. You hear the old adage everybody’s not meant to go to college,’ but everybody’s meant to do some kind of post-secondary training,” she said. “And college looks like a lot of different things. It could be a technical college where you do a certificate or a diploma program that might be a couple of years, or an associate’s degree that might be a couple of years.”
Clark said by the year 2050, Georgia will have 2.5 million more residents; however, there will be 3.1 million jobs to fill. There may be hope of filling the workforce pipeline.
A poll by the Wall Street Journal found 73% of Gen Z that were surveyed believed there is value in skilled trades and would consider a career in the field.
“Seventy-six percent of those same kids said, ‘My parents forced me to get a four-year degree,’” said Clark. “The average kid graduating from our technical colleges will make $100,000 before the kids graduating from a (four-year) university, and they’re more likely to own their own business.”
Mabray said this year’s job shadowing program is especially looking for small businesses to participate in to tap into the Gen Z entrepreneurial spirit.
“Getting them to understand that owning a small business, that’s not a happenstance,” she explained. “Explaining the idea of a business plan and securing funding and sponsors, so it would really be nice to be able to have a number of small businesses that could help kids walk alongside. Especially those kids who we already know have entrepreneurial DNA.”
Participation is also important for large businesses and corporations that can offer training programs for students.
“Definitely looking for industries that are looking to employ entry-level workers who would come right out of high school and maybe through a training program, or perhaps internships for our students who are currently in high school. There’s not a business that I think doesn’t fit the profile,” she explained.
Mabray said students began applying to be part of the job shadowing program in early December. After the Christmas break, the district will have a Match Day-style event to pair students with the appropriate business.
“This is our first year with the idea of this intentional match, as we’re really trying to make sure that we’re getting kids who are interested in the opportunity to the right opportunity,” she said. “We’re just really excited about the intentionality of the program this year and the work that we’re doing with the chamber to be very intentional to ensure that our businesses and our future workforce sync up.”
The deadline for both businesses and students to apply is Dec. 17. Interested students can speak to their school counselors. Businesses can fill out the application form at
