Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 27, 1992 TAG: 9203270242
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GEORGE KEGLEY BUSINESS EDITOR
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Education is too important to be left solely to educators or parents, Framme told the annual meeting of the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce.
A small-business survey found that the single biggest inhibitor to growth is the quality of the entry-level work force, he said.
To provide a better understanding of the role of business in the work place, "money will not solve it; they need you, they need your time in the schools," he told the chamber.
The Workforce 200 and Business-Education partnership need companies' support, he added.
"We cannot get there by standing back and pointing fingers at the education system," he said.
A new high-performance workplace is emerging, Framme said, and it will be led by computer-controlled assembly lines. Workers will be expected to have the skills to read and understand instructions, he said. They will be expected to join in teamwork and have communication skills beyond the requirements of most present factory positions.
The greater Roanoke area has fared better than the rest of the state in the recession, the secretary said, and it "is poised to lead in recovery."
Trade and services employment has grown while most areas of the state have had losses, he said.
In the past two years, Framme said, the Roanoke Valley has gained 450 jobs from nine new and expanding plants while the state has had 177 announcements of projects promising 11,000 new jobs.
The chamber's annual good citizen award was given to Aaron Conner, a Salem general contractor, at the Sheraton Airport Inn dinner.
Dennis Semones, a home counselor, was recognized as county educator of the year and Margaret Humphrey of Andrew Lewis Middle School was named Salem's educator of the year. Jeff Swartzel was chosen county officer of the year and Michael Fisher Salem's officer of the year.
Deanna Gordon, assistant superintendent of Roanoke County schools, followed Charles Overstreet as chamber president for the coming year.
by CNB