Local Talent Growth and Retention

Actions

• This action has not been completed.

  Initiate and support Business Plan Competition among all colleges and universities in the region for students in all majors. This will help expose college students to small business planning, could launch new businesses, and raise awareness about entrepreneurship.

• This action has not been completed.

  Strengthen and formalize connections between small businesses and the career services departments of higher education institutions in the region. Facilitate meetings to gain better understanding of needs of both groups and how they can more successfully partner.

• This action has not been completed.

  Increase local internship opportunities to benefit both students and small businesses.

• This action has not been completed.

  Increase education about and exposure to entrepreneurship as a career to future workforce.

• This action has not been completed.

  Expand entrepreneurship curriculum in local schools, at all levels of education: elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as colleges and universities.

• This action has not been completed.

  Sponsor and participate in Lemonade Day, a national program teaching youth to start, own, and operate their own business; beginning with a lemonade stand.

• This action has not been completed.

  Host events to connect regional college entrepreneurship club presidents with successful local, small business owners.

• This action has not been completed.

  Work with local and regional industry/trade associations to determine skill standards and necessary credentialing programs needed at secondary and post-secondary educational institutions.

• This action has not been completed.

  Set up specialized training programs jointly through the high schools and technical institutes to create workers with the skill sets required by local businesses and corporations.