Search

Project Purpose Empowers Dalton High School Graduates

In June 2023, seven graduates from Whitfield County and Dalton Public Schools celebrated their first full-time job opportunities after completing Project Purpose, a two-week workforce training program for high school graduates interested in careers with Whitfield County’s leading manufacturers, organized by the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, Believe Greater Dalton (BGD), and the Dalton-Whitfield County Joint Development Authority (JDA). This program aimed to prepare students who did not plan to attend post-secondary education and was sponsored by thirteen local companies and industries. The program included a variety of educational sessions, industry tours, and personal development training, culminating in successful job interviews for all seven students. 

During the program, students received training in areas such as professionalism, work ethics, communication, and conflict management. They also learned about various industries, toured manufacturing facilities, and received support in creating resumes. On the final day, all students interviewed with multiple companies and received job offers. A community celebration was held at the end of the program to announce the students’ employment placements, marking the successful completion of the program, with some students choosing to pursue further education based on their experiences. 


Read more about the students’ experiences with Project Purpose, here: Project Purpose students sign full-time commitments with 5 employers. To learn more about this successful workforce initiative, contact Stephani Womack ([email protected]) or Ali Harp ([email protected]). 

Other Topics

The Chamber’s Protégé and Leadership programs get leaders thinking about the city’s future—and how they can be part of its growth. Attracting and retaining top talent requires more than offering competitive salaries, benefits, and fun perks. It means creating opportunities…

At Tiny Tigers Learning Center, LaShon Carter makes sure everyone gets an education. LaShon Carter has always been an educator at heart. But she never imagined it would take the shape of childcare. Carter grew up around daycare, watching her…

Over the last 12 months, Shappi - a three-year-old startup - has delivered more than $5 million in products to more than 300 locations and thousands of customers in South America. Described as the logistics-travel equivalent of Uber or Airbnb,…

A Brickyard engineer’s journey from Sudan to the Scenic City Brickyard, Chattanooga’s booming venture capital firm on the Southside, is a beehive of activity. But if you were to visit it on any given day, one of the things you…

In 2023, Austin Beveridge bought a house in Tahoe. Less than a year later, he needed to sell it when life changed unexpectedly.  He called the realtor who helped him buy the place.   "They weren’t nearly as good at selling,"…

Behind every major economic advancement is a story of strategy, collaboration, and vision. For Chattanooga, Novonix’s decision to invest $1 billion in expanding its battery manufacturing operations was far more than a business deal. It was the result of years…

Sign up for weekly updates.