The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce (SVACC) completed two sessions of the Certificate of Employability this fall with two local high schools. Twenty students from Rock Falls High School and nine from Milledgeville High School participated in the six-week workshop. The Certificate of Employability Workshop helps bridge the gap between students/education and employers/businesses. Local employers join SVACC staff and share information about the career pathways in their industry and the importance of essential skills in the workplace. They often share their personal career journeys. Each session includes an activity that explores and defines one of the essential skills. These workshops allow students to gain information about the local businesses in the area and the various career pathways available in the local community. Students also learn about the importance of cross-sector essential employability competencies (essential skills) in the workplace, including communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, accountability, and teamwork. Upon completion of the workshop, students receive a certificate of employability that can be added to their resume.
