As part of WHRO’s American Graduate: Getting to Work initiative, this week Educationally Speaking features a discussion with Pam Croom, who is the Workforce Development Director for the City of Hampton. Hampton is a part of the ACT Certified Work Ready Initiative, a national effort focused on building the local workforce through community-based economic development. Under the Work Ready Initiative, men and women can receive an industry-recognized National Career Readiness Certificate - based on their workforce skills.

This effort piggybacks the Hampton City Schools and their unique academy system where students are tracked into a college/career course of study. Veronica Hurd from the Hampton City Schools joins us to discuss their program where students are eligible to take a series of tests towards the National Career Readiness Certificate and subsequently receive college credit. Further, non-college bound students enhance their employment opportunities with the certificate. The program helps to create greater career pathways especially for skilled trade jobs. Both the ACT initiative and the Academies of Hampton are helping to address the skilled trades shortage that local industry leaders are reporting.

Educationally Speaking airs weekdays at 11: 04 a.m. on 89.5 WHRV FM. Listen to past episodes. 

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