Center says lack of skills, communication led to gaps in educational system

FLORENCE — The lack of soft skills, computer skills, motivation and communication between educators and business leaders were listed as some of the key areas that have led to a gap in the state’s educational system, according to the Pee Dee Regional Education Center.
Educators, business leaders and community members gathered Wednesday to discuss ways to bridge the gap between education and the work force.
Cheryl Lewis, coordinator for the Pee Dee Regional Education Center, said the meeting’s purpose was to share information the center has gathered from Pee Dee educators, business leaders and community members in order to find answers to some of the concerns about education in the state.
The information gathered from the town hall meeting will be used in the regional center’s gap analysis of the Pee Dee’s educational system. The center is required by the Education and Economic Development Act to conduct the analysis and must provide the information to the state Department of Education by June 30.
Lewis said she has found through the analysis that business leaders are having problems finding employees that possess the soft skills or interpersonal skills, and computer skills needed to join the work force.
The analysis also shows there is a lack of knowledge about jobs or careers and professional development opportunities for educators to learn about the work force in order to better prepare students once they leave high school.
Ways to combat those concerns included providing soft skill videos, virtual job shadowing videos, professional development opportunities and creating partnerships.
The development of soft skills is an urgent need, not only in the Pee Dee, but across the state, Lewis said. Another need includes getting businesses to communicate with educators on the work force needs.
Brian Kelley, chairman of the Pee Dee Regional Education Center Advisory Board, said the meeting also was an opportunity for the regional center’s advisory board to get feedback on how it can help create partnerships between educators both on the secondary and higher education level, and businesses and industries.
The Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) called for the creation of 12 regional education centers throughout the state.
The regional center is focusing on providing resources to school districts to implement the EEDA; information to employers on educational partnerships, career-oriented learning and training services; and facilitating local connections among businesses and the educational community.
The act, passed in May 2005, established Personal Pathways to Success to help students and businesses work together to ensure students receive the guidance and experience they will need once they complete high school.
Wednesday’s town hall meeting was one of six meetings held in the Pee Dee. The next meeting will begin at 6 p.m. today at Northeastern Technical College’s Cheraw campus in room 212.
For details, contact Lewis at (843) 661-9277 or e-mail clewis@scpathways.org.