Educator Workforce Academy

Designed to upskill teachers, faculty and staff by bridging the gap between the classroom and the local economy, the Educator Workforce Academy offers the most current insights into regional employer needs. By participating, educators gain firsthand exposure to the Lynchburg region’s key industries through site visits to major employers, panels with community leaders and data-driven briefings on current workforce trends.

This immersive experience empowers educators to align their curriculum with the specific technical and soft skills local employers need most. Beyond just observing, the Academy provides dedicated time for uninterrupted brainstorming, allowing school teams to develop a concrete “Educator Action Plan” for their classrooms. Ultimately, the program helps foster powerful connections between industry and education — ensuring students enter the workforce with the exact competencies necessary for success in Lynchburg’s most in-demand careers.

The Educator Action Plan is where everything comes together. During the Academy, you’ll collaborate with your colleagues to build a clear, practical roadmap for strengthening your programs and better aligning curriculum with real workforce needs.

Typically, you’ll begin with a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis to see what’s working, what’s not and where there’s potential for further program enhancement. Your school’s Educator Action Plan also pinpoints exactly where the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance and its partners can help your school enhance educational offerings by providing resources to bridge gaps.

A typical Educator Action Plan includes:

• Review of existing curriculum to ensure alignment with modern industry needs
• Identification of gaps in current strategies, resources and compliance
• Action steps designed to increase program offerings, training and student participation
• Selection of data points to be utilized for measuring success
• Designation of a point of contact for ongoing accountability

For an example template of instructions, see our previous year’s Action Plan Components.

We are thrilled that you’re interested in partnering with the Lynchburg region to build meaningful career pathways for your students! To get started, simply visit our registration page and complete the form. A member of the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance will reach out with further details as the event approaches.

In the meantime, we highly recommend completing “Component I: Program Review of Existing Curriculum” or requesting data from last year’s cohort if applicable. While not required, this step provides a focused understanding of your school’s current programs and student participation, helping you better align your educational goals with regional workforce needs.