CARTERSVILLE, Ga. (June 27, 2023) — The Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce hosted its second Project Purpose Graduation and Signing Day Ceremony at the Chamber of Commerce on Friday, June 23rd where five of ten young adults announced their employment commitments to local
manufacturers.  Ten recent high school graduates from a mixture of Adairsville High School, Cartersville High School, and Cass High School completed a one- week training program at Chattahoochee Technical College that included courses on soft skills, professionalism and work ethics, safety in the workplace, quality control, personal strengths assessment, financial literacy, and resume assistance and interview preparation.

After finishing the training, each young adult was offered the opportunity to interview with participating
companies which included Anheuser-Busch, Gerdau, NOTS Logistics, Shaw, Trinity Rail, Toyo Tires, and
YANMAR – all Chamber Champions in the manufacturing sector.  Georgia Power sponsored the program and instructors from Chattahoochee Technical College and Georgia Highlands College, leadership consultant Cherie Wasit, and Cartersville- based finance coach Dan Dollevoet facilitated courses throughout the week.  Students were introduced to the program during their senior year and were required to contact their Counselor or Work Based Learning Coordinator to apply. Interviews were also required for program acceptance.

Chamber CEO Cindy Williams remarked “Project Purpose provides a platform for talented high school
graduates who have an interest and aptitude for careers in manufacturing an opportunity to not only
gain relevant and timely skills, but also connect directly will local employers who are ready to
hire. These young adults have bright careers ahead of them and it is a pleasure to offer this program to
our community”.

Chamber Workforce Development Director Matthew Thomas also shared “We are proud of these young
adults for their commitment to learn during the training week and we are equally excited about the
impact they will make as contributors at some of our community’s leading manufacturers. We are also
humbled and truly grateful for the contributions of our partners that made this program a success for a
second consecutive year.”

For full program details contact Matthew Thomas, Workforce Development Director at the CartersvilleBartow Chamber at 770. 382.1466

Press Release