Nov. 30—VALDOSTA — Strengthening the workforce pipeline was one of many topics of discussion during a regional educational summit hosted Thursday morning.

The Economics of Education summit was sponsored in collaboration by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE), One Valdosta-Lowndes, Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority and the Greater Valdosta United Way.

Presentations and a panel discussion was held in Cox Hall at the Lowndes County Wiregrass Technical College campus. Local educators, business leaders, stakeholders and local government representatives gathered to learn more methods to help shape the current and future workforce throughout South Georgia.

Kathleen Da Silva, the regional engagement manager of the GPEE, was one of the first presenters who shared recent data about the Economics of Education report. Her presentation covered data on the demand for education, how early learning students mastering skill sets like literacy can drive success in overall studies and the outlook of jobs in the future workforce.

Da Silva's presentation showed that about 23% to 44% of jobs may be automated by 2030. She explained that this does not mean that jobs are disappearing but that the skills sets to obtain the jobs are changing.

The program leaders spoke of several initiatives at the local, regional and state level to address the changes and needs for more educational resources to drive the workforce. One of the initiatives named was EdQuest Georgia:Pursuing the North Star. Through this program, the Georgia Partnership recommends state policymakers, education leaders and the business community unite around a common goal — ensuring that 65% of Georgians aged 25 to 64 have earned post-secondary credentials of value by 2033.

One-Valdosta-Lowndes Director Mary Beth Brownlee moderated a panel discussion featuring Work-Based Learning Program Specialist — Georgia Department of Education Laura Boswell, Valdosta State University Center for Regional Impact Executive Director Darrell Moore, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College President DeAnnia Clements, Enay Coaching President Elton Dixon and Hunt Industries Vice President Joel Hunt.

Panelists mentioned implementing more apprenticeship or work-based learning opportunities for high school students as a method to improve the workforce and kickstart the EdQuest Georgia: Pursuing the North Star goal.

Clements shared that Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has been working to add more programs that meet the school's various campuses' regional workforce demands. Her examples included the new clinical lab technician program, an aviation program, new electric vehicle instruction in the automotive programs and the expansion for the associated science of nursing program.

The panel discussed the need to establish more mentoring programs for younger students and the need to improve the overall workforce experience.

A short Q&A session was held where Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce President Christie Moore asked Hunt if he experienced push-back from team members or insurance when pursuing to accept high school students for work-based learning jobs.

Hunt agreed and further explained that there are some risks when employing students under the age of 18. He said there are some special accommodations that his business had to implement and advised attendees to continue to seek businesses for the opportunity.

The program ended with remarks from Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority Executive Director Aundrea Schruijer and Greater Valdosta United Way Chief Executive Officer Michael Smith.