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            • Career and Leadership Development Academy

            • About the Career & Leadership Development Academy (CLDA)

            • The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce's Career and Leadership Development Academy (CLDA) was launched in August 2022 in response to New Hanover County’s Economic Mobility report, which emphasized developing and retaining young workers. This program is a collaboration between the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, New Hanover County Schools, and local businesses. The primary goals of the CLDA are to develop and retain young workers, showcase fast-growing career pathways in the community, build leadership and employability skills, and prioritize the development of durable skills as outlined in NC DPI's The North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate.

              The ten-month program allows 7th-grade students to explore local career clusters, identify their top career choices, experience various job roles, and present their findings to their peers. The program is free for students and includes meals, transportation, and all necessary program materials. In its first year, the CLDA was funded by the Truist Foundation and included 40 students. In the second year, funding from the New Hanover Community Endowment and the Wilmington Chamber Foundation allowed the program to expand to 88 students. The third year will see a significant expansion, with nearly 1,800 7th grade students participating, thanks to funding from the North Carolina General Assembly.

              If you are interested in partnering with the Wilmington Chamber to sponsor this Leadership Development program or hosting students on-site at your business, please contact Laura Brogdon-Primavera at primavera@wilmingtonchamber.org. 

            • Student Impact Student Impact

              Students in the CLDA program have reported acquiring valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, public speaking, and self-confidence. Feedback from participants highlights the program’s impact on their academic performance, career awareness, and personal development. Eighth graders who complete the program have the opportunity to become Student Mentors, providing support and guidance to new participants while further developing their own leadership skills. These mentors have expressed appreciation for the chance to help peers, enhance their own leadership capabilities, and contribute to their community.

            • Business and Community Impact Business and Community Impact

              Businesses benefit from the CLDA through future workforce development, community investment, economic and educational growth, and fostering leadership and innovation. For students, the outcomes include informed career choices, educational and career planning, skill development, increased motivation and engagement, community connections, and leadership growth. We expect the long-term benefits of the program to be extensive, including the development of a skilled workforce, economic growth and stability, increased educational attainment, retention of local talent, innovation and entrepreneurship, improved quality of life, enhanced social capital, and a diverse and resilient economy.

              If you are interested in partnering with the Wilmington Chamber to sponsor this Leadership Development program or hosting students on-site at your business, please contact Laura Brogdon-Primavera at primavera@wilmingtonchamber.org. 

            • Session Topics Session Topics

              Session Topics have been identified based on the industry clusters targeted for growth in the economic mobility report adopted by the New Hanover County Commission in April 2022.

              • Digital Technologies
              • Warehouse, Logistics, and Supply Chain
              • Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals
              • Hospitality
              • Real Estate, Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
              • Manufacturing and Clean Energy
              • Healthcare
              • Film

            • Speakers & Program Structure Speakers & Program Structure

              Each session will be hosted by an industry partner who welcomes participating students on-site for the day. Students will hear from a wide range of employees in the industry who have taken various education pathways to attain those positions. Other speakers from other employers in the region also visit with the students throughout the day. Leadership development sessions are also included as part of the curriculum based on the skills identified in the NC Department of Public Instruction’s Portrait of a Graduate. 

              Industry Partners in the inaugural year of CLDA have included Live Oak Bank, Vantaca, Grover Gaming, Corning, MegaCorp Logistics, NFI Industries, NC State Ports, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Portrett Pharmaceuticals, UNCW, Blockade Runner Resort, Perfect Touch Rental, Rebecca’s Charcuterie, LS3P, Andrew Consulting Engineers, Allen + Shariff, Clancy & Theys, Monteith Construction Corporation, GE Aerospace, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Cape Fear Solar Systems, Duke Energy, Novant Health, Atlantic Prosthetics, Wilmington Eye, Access Dental, Sankofa Training Institute, Dark Horse Studios, Honey Head Films, Wilmington Regional Film Commission and a number of Leadership Wilmington Alumni Council members from across all industry sectors.

            • Ideal Candidate Ideal Candidate

              For the 2022-2023 class year, five students were selected from each of the eight middle schools in the New Hanover County School system by administrators and educators in their schools. Students were required to complete an online application process and attend an orientation session with their parents.

              For the 2023-2024 class year, ten students from each middle school will be selected. Student applications are under review now. Students and parents will be notified before the end of this current school year.

              For the 2024-2025 class year, all 7th grade students in NHCS will have the opportunity to participate. 

            • Tuition & Application Tuition & Application

              This program is offered at no cost to students due to the generous support of our corporate foundation partners and the North Carolina General Assembly. Currently, it is exclusively available to students of New Hanover County Schools.

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            • Student Experience Blog Posts

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            • Thank you to our sponsors for their support of the Career and Leadership Development Academy:

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            • Meet the Class of 2025-2026 Alumni Advisory Committee!