Fayette Business Education Partnership connecting young people, businesses

The Fayette Business Education Partnership (FBEP) is bringing the county’s businesses and school districts together to strengthen the local talent pipeline and prepare students for high-demand careers.

In 2012, the Fayette Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey asking questions about the workforce and the needs of the local businesses, both then and in the future. With those answers, the chamber began working with the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board to create a partnership that would prepare young people for real needs of the regional economy.

Part of doing so included starting the EQT Mechanical Design Competition, which encouraged middle school students to learn more about hydraulics and pneumatics. Since then, they’ve continued introducing new programs and initiatives to further the cause.

“For the past two years, we’ve held a Young Entrepreneur Showcase, where we invited kids who currently have a business of their own to come and set up a table and sell their wares,” Kathi Hull, workforce coordinator for the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, said. “It has been a tremendous hit.”

To keep that momentum going, and in an effort to keep the young entrepreneurs together, the FBEP partnered with 4-H and Penn State Extension to create Biz Wiz Kids, a club for ages 8-16.

“The club is open to any kid with an interest in starting their own business or someone who already has a business but wants to gain more experience in entrepreneurship,” Hull said.

The club meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at the Chamber’s office.

The support the FBEP receives from businesses, partners and community members has been “amazing,” according to Hull.

The chamber hosts meetings every other month at Penn State Fayette for representatives of businesses and other agencies to give an update on the programs. They typically have a speaker to talk about workforce development, and attendees have the opportunity to network.

“When our meeting is over, I like to sit back and watch the partnerships happen,” Hull said. “We have watched amazing things come out of those meetings and the feedback we receive from educators, parents and FBEP participants has been nothing but positive.”

And, they’re looking to do more.

FBEP is currently working on a technical skills initiative and two college-level capstone projects, but it takes partnerships to make the programs successful.

“People can get involved by coming to a meeting and supporting not only the work we’re doing but the work of the community and programs that are in the room,” Hull said. “They are working just as hard to make their opportunities at their business or organization successful, as we do in the (FBEP).”

Sponsorship opportunities are available for one or all of the FBEP programs. Visit www.fayettebep.org or the FBEP Facebook page for more information.