AN INTERVIEW WITH
LISA PARKS

  The Georgia Employer Committee would like to share with its viewers the EMR's who are vital to the success of the Local Committees throughout the State. This month we meet and talk with Lisa Parks of the LaFayette Career Center.

 

Tell us your name, your Career Center and how long you’ve been an EMR?

LP: - Lisa T. Parks, EMR
LaFayette Area Employer Committee
LaFayette Career Center, LaFayette, Georgia

 

What types of businesses or organizations make up your Employer Committee?

LP: - Medical/ Healthcare, Manufacturing Industries, Food Service Business, Hospitality Business, Chamber of Commerce, Technical College, Financial Institutes, Joint Development, Governmental Agencies and local School Systems

 

What do you believe is unique about your Employer Committee?

LP: - The LaFayette Area Employer Committee is unique in the fact that it has a diverse mixture of businesses and organizations working together within a small community with one common goal and that is what we can do to make our community the best we can. LaFayette Area Employer Committee consists of our educational system and employers focusing on the need for a skilled workforce for continued growth of our community.

 

What do you believe is your Employer Committee's biggest challenge for your area, regarding the workforce?

LP: - Educating and retraining the workforce of manufacturing workers to meet the changes of the employment projected trends.

 

Why should I join your Employer Committee?

LP: - By joining the Employer Committee, you as a business or employer can establish a working relationship between the employers, the community, and the Georgia Department of Labor. Employer Committees can work together to address the concerns and interests of the local businesses and employees through meetings, seminars and other forms of education to better arm the local businesses with tools needed to address community issues. The collaboration of various members brings support to them that not only strengthen their business, but serve the community as well.

 

How active is your Employer Committee working in your community?

LP: - The LaFayette Area Employer Committee is actively working in our area community with seminars to educate employers and businesses on Labor laws and other helpful information for the workforce market in our community. The LaFayette Area Employer Committee also assists families in need throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, work on numerous community projects, and job fairs throughout the area. The Employer Committee holds monthly meetings with employers to have open discussions and special presentation on topics of interest to employers.

 

Has your Employer Committee received any awards or special recognition?

LP: - Yes
1997 – 1st Runner-up – Georgia Employer Committee of the Year
1998 – Georgia Employer Committee of the Year
2002 – Teachers in Industry Award
2006 – Georgia Employer Committee – Vision Award

 

What future trends does your Employer Committee see in employment needs in your area?

LP: - As industry continues to change in our community, it will be imperative to have a more educated, diverse, and skilled workforce.

 

In the future, what would you most like to accomplish as an EMR?

LP: - I feel very honored to serve as an EMR at LaFayette Career Center. I have the opportunity to help enrich and contribute to the growth of my community. I feel it is my duty to make a positive impact on my community for the future of my family with a bonus of positive personal growth. I would like to help implement and facilitate tools for employers to improve workforce ethic, education and retention; something that appears to be a growing need.

LaFayette Career Center Staff