Opinion: Labor Day is more than a day of rest and relaxation
Job Coach Joel Leonard, Davidson Local Co-Founder Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart accept proclamation from City of Lexington mayor Jason Hayes. { Contributed photo/Brittany Lance}
Time for more Give Work a Chance!
“The society that scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because philosophy is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy: neither its pipes nor its theories hold water.” ~John W. Gardner, secretary of HEW
We must exalt all forms of labor, because without it, nothing gets done! During the entirety of 2023, Davidson Local has celebrated labor by supporting and publishing Give Work a Chance columns and produced a Give Work a Chance Job Fair, which was the best economic development party ever created according to many of the participating employers. A first-ever print edition was released of the Give Work a Chance Magazine that spotlighted area employers, provided a directory of job fair employers so more can find work and showcased a new initiative called Transitioning Athletes to Techletes with several other important articles. A must-read and it will soon will be able to be downloaded from the Davidson Local website.
The area has taken notice, including the Lexington City Council who recognized Davidson Local with the Give Work a Chance proclamation during the August 28 meeting. Thank you, Mayor Jason Hayes, for all of your support.
Numerous employers have sent glowing reactions from their experience at the Give Work a Chance Job Fair. However, we are not done; anyone wanting to explore more options, send those resumes to jobfair@davidsonlocal.com.
A recent recipient of a Davidson-Davie Community College welding certificate received four job offers during the job fair. With Siemens and so many fellow manufacturing companies striving to grow skilled technicians, welders, machinists and related workers, these positions are in high demand! If wishing to upgrade your income, take some classes at DDCC and get upskilled.
Truly, enjoy this Labor Day, but do more than rest. Start your fourth quarter 2023 by developing an upskill strategy and take courses, read more industry magazines, attend professional association meetings, peruse business journals and take charge of your future so that you become more involved in the manufacturing renaissance underway. If you take on new challenges and grow your responsibilities and income levels and have a deeper sense of purpose going forward, success will be yours. Also, help us grow more talent. Give Work a Chance needs more folks so as to lift up others to new heights. No longer is it negative to work in a factory, and in fact, today with cleaner environments, better compensation and benefits, people are blessed to work in manufacturing.
So much more work to do! We are not close to being done by giving work a chance and hope the community will join us and help more succeed! Stay tuned as we will be showcasing more examples of how athletes can transition to techletes.
Give Work a Chance is more than a job fair, a magazine, a proclamation but it’s actually a movement that will help more neighbors rise out of poverty, fill vacant jobs and align school courses to the needs of area employers so more students become successful and thrive.
