VIA’s next luncheon to focus on the ‘new workforce’

Six William S. Hart Union High School District students are set to share their perspective as the emerging workforce with local business leaders at the upcoming Valley Industry Association luncheon.

The event, dubbed “Focus Forward: Your New Workforce,” is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, at 11:45 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Valencia, located at 24500 Town Center Drive, the association announced Thursday in a news release.

Mariane Doyle, director of career technical and adult education in the Career and College Readiness Department of the William S. Hart Union High School District, is the panel speaker set to explore six different career pathways through what students in the Hart District Career Pathway program have to say.

Students will share what they’ve learned, where they are going and how they plan to get there while completing their high school requirements.

“Our Hart District students represent the future workforce in the Santa Clarita Valley and their voices help us understand how business partners can influence the development of their own resident talent,” said Doyle in a prepared statement. “Just as our business partners are critical advisory members shaping the curriculum we provide, student voices are imperative to the relevance of business, industry, and education in today’s economy.”

The emerging workforce is on the cusp of Generation Z and Millennials, according to Doyle. By 2020 they will comprise the largest segment of working adults age 18 and over.

“The business community has a real opportunity to become influencers with this new workforce who are graduating high school with workplace readiness skills already in hand,” said VIA Chairwoman Teresa Todd in the release.

Reservations are required. Tickets are now available at www.VIA.org/calendar or by calling 661-294-8088. For more information, contact the VIA office at admin@via.org.