Mark Calitri: Workforce Development Starts with Opportunity
Everyone wants employees with experience. The challenge is someone has to give them that first opportunity.
That's why programs like GRADD matter.
At Visit Owensboro, our interns don't sit in the corner and watch. They go to work on day one. They attend meetings, solve problems and help deliver projects that make a difference in our community.
This year, Nicole helped support a record-breaking Owensboro Burger Week that included 57 restaurants and more than 78,000 burgers sold. Lucas has played an important role in helping prepare Kentucky's newest indoor sports facility, the Bluegrass Fieldhouse, while also helping launch the Bluegrass Clash, an event that brought thousands of athletes, families and visitors to Owensboro.
That's real experience. You can't learn that sitting in a classroom.
Programs like GRADD help open the door. Young professionals gain practical experience, employers develop future talent and communities build a stronger workforce. It's a win for everyone involved.
I've always looked at internships as more than filling a temporary position. They give us a chance to invest in someone, teach them, challenge them and see what they're capable of. At the same time, they learn about our organization, our culture and whether this is a place where they can build a career.
The best workforce development doesn't start after graduation. It starts when someone is willing to give a young professional a chance to learn, contribute and grow.
That's how careers begin. That's how businesses find great employees. And that's how communities build a stronger future.
Watch the full video to learn why workforce development and the partnership with GRADD are making a difference across Owensboro and Western Kentucky. https://youtu.be/KB0ThlNm2gQ
About Mark Calitri
Mark Calitri is President and CEO of Visit Owensboro, where he focuses on tourism, workforce development, leadership, economic development and building stronger communities through strategic growth and real results.
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