Aiken Works has enjoyed tremendous success and outstanding community support since launching in 2016, and Aiken County Public Schools is pleased to announce the recent addition of regional workforce development leader Larry Millstead as the new lead for the collaborative.
Millstead served previously as business services and workforce development lead for the Lower Savannah Council of Governments, and as a workforce development specialist and career coach for Eckerd Connects, both of which actively support the school district’s annual summer internship program and the Aiken Works initiative.
“Whenever I have talked with people over the last couple of weeks it has been hard for me to contain my excitement because I am going to be developing new opportunities for our students in Aiken County,” stated Millstead. “I am thrilled to be supporting students and working with area business leaders and I cannot wait to get started.”
Millstead earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in education from Newberry College.
Aiken Works continues to promote increased awareness and education to students, families, adult workers, teachers, school counselors and career development facilitators about the industries expected to be in highest demand of future employees in our area. These industries include the Energy sector, Cyber Technology, Industrial Manufacturing and Healthcare.
“Over the past 14 years, I have served Aiken County through both our youth and adult populations,” commented Millstead. “Most recently, I spent four-plus years within the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Workforce Development communities. As the Aiken Works Lead, I look forward to not only continuing the established success, but also further developing Aiken Works into the premier community collaboration, that both prepares our students to be the most highly capable workforce and energizes community business to proactively build your future workforce.”
Millstead says in his experience in the workforce development field, one of the biggest concerns employers have mentioned is a lack of “soft skills” among workers, something he says Aiken Works will continue to help young people in Aiken County to master.
“Aiken Works will provide the opportunity, through local business, for students to develop what employers say our workforce is lacking,” Millstead added. “Today’s youth is tomorrow’s Aiken County Workforce and I look forward to further collaboration between Aiken Works and our community partners.”
Millstead started in his new position as Aiken Works lead November 12.