Chris Caves completes Certificate in Workforce Development Fundamentals

Chris Caves, Vice President, Business & Economic Growth at the Chamber received her Certificate in Workforce Development Fundamentals. Caves has 25 years of experience as a workforce practitioner and a master’s degree in career counseling.

The Certificate she earned was awarded by The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Foundation. Chris is one of 52 economic development professionals in the initial cohort of recipients. IEDC and ACCE officials said the accomplishment serves as a significant step forward in advancing both IEDC and ACCE's commitment to enhancing the skills of Chamber staff and economic development professionals while expanding equitable workforce opportunities and outcomes. 

This joint certificate program empowers professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the intersection of economic and workforce development while closing education gaps. Each certificate recipient completed an intensive and comprehensive 6-week curriculum, featuring expert-led sessions, hands-on learning experiences, practical applications of economic and workforce development principles and an online exam. 

"Workforce development is economic development," said Caves, "The communities winning the war on talent are those with economic developers and workforce development practitioners partnering within a regional ecosystem to address systemic workforce development issues." She emphasized that throughout the course attendees heard directly from economic development professionals on best practices for incorporating workforce development tactics into their talent attraction and business retention and expansion activities. "As both an economic and workforce development practitioner, this was an excellent opportunity for me to expand my learning, engage with practitioners from all over the county, and acquire new digital and practical tools to complement my current efforts here at the Quad Cities Chamber," she noted. 

"IEDC extends its congratulations to all chamber staff and economic development professionals who embarked on this journey with us and our partners at the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Foundation," expressed IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle. "With the completion of this inaugural certificate program, we are driving holistic economic development solutions that integrate economic growth and talent attraction. Our partnership with ACCE has set a new standard for collaborative professional growth initiatives through this program, paving the way for a vast network of passionate, dedicated economic and workforce development experts."

"Congratulations to this first cohort who are bringing essential skills back to their regions to address workforce challenges and promote economic prosperity. Their dedication highlights the pivotal role chambers of commerce and economic development organizations play in shaping the future of our communities, especially when they are working hand-in-hand," said ACCE President and CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. "This program drew interest from across the country, and I am excited to watch the catalytic leadership participants will bring to the challenges and opportunities in their markets."

About the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives 

The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is the professional society supporting the women and men who lead local, regional, statewide, and international chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations. Our membership includes more than 1,600 business/civic organizations worldwide.

About the International Economic Development Council 

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base.