This year METALCON is helping expand local opportunities for training and employment through the Georgia Governor’s Office of Workforce Development and by supporting Atlanta-based It’s The Journey, Inc., a charitable organization and producer of the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer.
Representatives from the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development will be at METALCON to explain their programs and enroll candidates. Program Managers Margaret Miller and Walter Shamp will be in booths # 550-556 to provide information on these key programs:
Go Build Georgia helps to educate young people on the value of learning a trade and to inspire them to consider a career as a skilled tradesperson. It also offers the Go Build Georgia High School teams — teams of educators and industry leaders who promote careers in the skilled trades through career days, industry site visits and message dissemination. (www.gobuildgeorgia.com)
Operation: Workforce links veterans to resources from multiple state agencies, private organizations that serve veterans and Georgia employers. A feature on the website allows veterans to translate their military occupational classifications into civilian occupations that best align with their skill set and training. www.operationworkforce.com
Blake Ashbee, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development, and Kristin Laarhoven, Programs Director for the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development, are both excited about the opportunity at METALCON. “Continuing to grow and expand one of Georgia’s top industries is critical to the future success of our economy as a whole,” says Ashbee. “By gathering professionals to celebrate the industry’s importance and impact, METALCON is helping build up a skilled generation of Georgia’s workforce, ready to succeed in these in-demand careers.”
METALCON’s support for It’s the Journey, Inc. takes a more active role. Since METALCON’s giving-back initiative began in 1994, this event has proudly met the goal of donating goods, services, and/or funds to non-profit organizations and worthy causes serving local host communities. This year, METALCON has formed a team of walkers called the Metal Magnolias that is raising funds and walking in the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer. The 11th annual 2-Day Walk takes place October 5-6, two days after the conclusion of METALCON.
Kimberly Goff, Executive Director of It’s The Journey, Inc. is excited about the partnership. “We’re thrilled to have METALCON support the walk. To be chosen by this international event makes us feel very special. It gives us an incredible opportunity to reach out to a whole different group and to remind the males involved with METALCON that men also get breast cancer. Last year 2,000 men were diagnosed with it. Usually breast cancer is more aggressive in men because they don’t go for regular check ups for it. Creating this additional awareness is important.”
The METALCON team is also gearing up to support this cause. “Many within our circle of management and exhibitors are supporting our Metal Magnolias team in the 2-Day Walk. By building on the comradeship and team spirit engendered during the show, we can fulfill our hope of offering generous support to this worthy charity. This is a wonderful journey that we can enjoy together,” notes Claire Kilcoyne, METALCON Show Director.