Ms. Damita Hill, Executive Director of Community and Workforce Development at Trenholm State Community College, recently participated in the DirectEmployers (DE) Annual Meeting & Conference (DEAMcon24).

At the conference, Ms. Hill served as a panelist for the session titled “Unlocking the Power of Apprenticeships & HBCUs to Build a Diverse Talent Pipeline.” Alongside Stefanie Willis-Turner from Mobile Infirmary Medical Center and Tawanna Robinson from the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship, Ms. Hill shared insights into the role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in providing job skills training and work experiences to students.

Ms. Damita Hill’s participation at DEAMcon24 exemplifies Trenholm State Community College’s commitment to fostering partnerships and initiatives that enhance workforce development and support student success.

During her discussion, Ms. Hill emphasized the significance of programs offered by HBCUs in preparing students for various occupational fields through credited courses leading to associate degrees and noncredit pursuits focused on short-term certificate training.

Ms. Hill highlighted the importance of mentorship opportunities provided by faculty and staff at HBCUs, as well as direct outreach to students to identify their talents and match them with employment opportunities. At Trenholm State, Ms. Hill noted the college’s success in ensuring students are appealing to employers through direct communication to understand employer expectations and customize training and curriculum accordingly.

Emphasizing the value of employer engagement, Ms. Hill stressed the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and employers to ensure the success of workforce development programs.

Ms. Damita Hill’s participation at DEAMcon24 exemplifies Trenholm State’s commitment to fostering partnerships and initiatives that enhance workforce development and support student success.