#WorkReady Named Outstanding Chamber Program

Above photo: The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee.

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce #WorkReady program was presented with the Outstanding Chamber Program award by the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) at the Annual Conference held in Portland last month. W.A.C.E. is the premier organization for education and professional development for chamber executives and staff and represents over 850 chamber professionals in 19 Western states and Canada. 

The recognition is a direct reflection on truly remarkable efforts of individuals across our broad coalition of business, education, and local government partners.

#WorkReady is a community impact initiative formed in 2017 by the Springfield Chamber in partnership with the City of Springfield and Springfield Public Schools. On hearing the news, Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg responded, “Our partnership… engages our students, increases graduation rates, gives students a path to fulfilling careers, and (provides) businesses highly qualified workers.”

Since its inception, over 3700 students, and 380 organizations have engaged in #WorkReady programs. The WorkReady initiative brings together regional employers, education partners and local government around a common economic development strategy, one with a focus to build a strong workforce pipeline, bridge education to career pathways, improve graduation rates, and create a strong talent pool prepared for rewarding careers with local employers. 

Charlie Kimball, Springfield Chamber Board Chair pointed to the economic benefits, “Our local and state economies receive a significant financial benefit from our construction, manufacturing, and technical companies.  These same companies can’t be successful without the continued development of new and motivated employees.” Kimball would know, he’s Chief Financial Officer at locally owned and operated wood products manufacturing company, Murphy Company, and understands first-hand the value of a local workforce prepared and motivated to seek opportunities with local employers. Kimball summarized, “WorkReady is an effective and efficient program that generates real results by providing young workers the skills needed to successfully integrate into our local and regional work forces.”

“WorkReady is an effective and efficient program that generates real results by providing young workers the skills needed to successfully integrate into our local and regional work forces.”

– Charlie Kimball, Murphy Company

The WACE Outstanding Chamber Program award specifically recognizes performance by chambers in core competency areas: to strengthen the local economy, to promote the community, to represent business interests with government, to build business relationships, or to involve political action. Also “key to the judges’ decision,” said WACE President Dave Kilby, was that other chambers could and should “follow the lead of these award recipients and replicate them in their own communities.”

Springfield Chamber staff and education committee members have been advising chamber and school district personnel across the state who are actively developing their own workforce and talent development initiatives and studying the WorkReady model as one to adopt. 

 “It is no surprise,” said Lundberg. “(WorkReady) is already being replicated in other communities because it works.” 

Avril Watt, General Manager of the Springfield-Eugene based heavy equipment manufacturer Johnson Crushers International and Chamber board member responded in an interview, “This award validates the decision the board and staff made a few years ago to strategically focus on cultivating talent by partnering with Springfield School District and the City.” Watt, who also Chairs the Springfield Chamber Education Committee continued, “It also energizes our efforts to take WorkReady to the next level.”

“(WorkReady) is already being replicated in other communities because it works.” 

– Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg

W.A.C.E. 2020 Outstanding Chamber Program Recipients

Billings (MT) Chamber – Elections Matter
Grand Junction (CO) Chamber – Workforce Innovation Program
Springfield Area (OR) Chamber– WorkReady
Vail Valley (CO) Partnership – Smart Business Eagle County
Vail Valley (CO) Partnership– CareerWise Youth Apprenticeship