The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, Albany Area Chamber of Commerce and Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau are working on a collaborative initiative to match local students to employment and internship opportunities in the community.

The organizations are asking businesses to report available opportunities here, requesting information on what positions or internships are available, what the terms are, who is eligible and how to apply.

The initiative comes as a result of conversations with both business owners and higher educational institutions, expressing the idea that there is an apparent disconnect between businesses in need of employees, and qualified candidates in need of opportunities.

“The EDC exists, in part, to foster job creation and growth, and aims to accomplish those goals through both the recruitment of new industry and the retention and expansion of existing industry,” said Jana Dyke, president and CEO of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. “We heard the call for a collaborative effort to address the need for connection between existing employers and job candidates, and came together with our partners to answer that call through this initiative.”

The need for this resource grew, most notably, out of conversations with Albany State University (ASU). The university expressed interest in expanding opportunities to actively engage as a member of the corporate and educational community. “We have many great professional certificate and academic degree programs that certainly could address the needs of local businesses and organizations, said ASU President Marion Ross Fedrick.

“Through this partnership with the EDC, CVB and the Chamber of Commerce, ASU can increase our ability to meet the needs of community business partners, stimulate the local economy, and most importantly, provide outstanding opportunities for experiential learning and employment for our students, added Fedrick.

In the evolving aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have found themselves in greater need than ever for increased workforce.

“The hospitality industry, in particular, has suffered in the wake of COVID-19,” said CVB President Rashelle Beasley. “Employers are having a hard time staffing their organizations to keep up with demand, due to the competitive rates of unemployment benefits, and in some cases, are having to condense their hours in light of that.”

With workforce development as a continued focus of leadership in Albany-Dougherty County, the Chamber is confident that the needed resources, for both job seekers and job posters, are already right here in our community.

“The Albany Area Chamber has long advocated for and advanced workforce development through increased connection between industry and our higher educational institutions, and this initiative is a great example of how our public and private community service organizations can serve as that connector piece, bringing partners to the table in order to produce results,” said Barbara Rivera Holmes, Albany Area Chamber President and CEO, the region’s largest business advocacy organization.