The Victoria Chamber of Commerce and Victoria Independent School District Implement Classes to Increase the Power of Our Workforce

In a collaborative effort between the University of Houston-Victoria, The Victoria College, the Chamber of Commerce’s Sure B.E.T. program, Victoria Business and Education Committee, Victoria Independent School District, and many area businesses, the Business Cents classes will begin Monday, January 8, 2007 at Memorial High School and continue through March of 2007. The goal of the Business Cents classes is to create a more powerful and influential workforce. By equipping Victoria students with the skills that they need to be competitive in the workforce, the Business Cents program will result in an economic boost to the local community.

These classes were created in direct response to area business leaders who have said that local students are not prepared to enter the workforce. In an unprecedented effort to increase the competitive edge and power of our workforce, the Chamber of Commerce has enlisted the help of area business specialists to teach Business Cents classes to the seniors at Memorial High School. The following classes are being taught: Resumé Writing, Business Etiquette, Dressing for Success, Interviewing Skills and Money Management.

Many area businesses have offered their expertise to assist with the instruction. South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind has provided binders to organize instructional materials. The Business Etiquette portion of the series will be taught by several area specialists including Jim DeLane with Frost Insurance, Amy Hodges with Invista, and Carol Peyton and Linda Absy and with The Victoria College. This portion of the curriculum will include dining, greeting, e-mail, phone, and general business etiquette.

Business Cents

Eunice Mesa, the resumé specialist from the University of Houston-Victoria, will be the lead instructor of the resumé writing portion of the course with Laura Baker assisting. The students will receive a CD that will include other helpful information partly sponsored by Office Depot.

Dressing for success will be taught by Shelly Costas with Citizens Medical Center and Gail Hoad with First Victoria Bank. JCPenney and The Buckle have graciously provided clothes and items to demonstrate that one can dress for success on a budget.

The students will be coached to perfection on interviewing skills with the help of Texas Workforce Solutions of the Golden Crescent. Linda Salazar-Ybarbo and Laura Sanders are providing assistance with this portion of the program.

Money Management will be taught by Sally Aman with Wells Fargo, Kenneth Early with Prosperity Bank, and Gail Hoad with First Victoria Bank. Along with their expertise, these institutions are also providing instructional materials for the students.

In order to continue to organize and implement services that meet the requests made by the business community, we need your help. We are in need of expertise, goods and services, and financial support. Please contact Rhonda Fotiades at the Victoria Chamber of Commerce (361-572-5277) or Lisa Bullock at University of Houston-Victoria (361-570-4146) for information on how to offer support for the Business Cents classes and other educational

programs.

Contact: Rhonda Fotiades

361-573-5277

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VISION STATEMENT:

The Victoria Chamber of Commerce will be INDISPENSABLE to the Members it Serves

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Mission of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce is to lead, empower and unite our business community