(Gwinnett County, Ga., October 27, 2025) –– More than 200 business, education and community stakeholders recently convened at Georgia Gwinnett College for Partnership Gwinnett’s inaugural Workforce Summit. Centered on the theme “Gwinnovation at Work,” the event showcased the power of collaboration and innovation in preparing Gwinnett’s workforce for the future.
Dr. Darin Wilson, VP for Advancement and Community Engagement at Georgia Gwinnett College, opened the Workforce Summit with remarks, underscoring the role of higher education in developing tomorrow’s leaders and innovators. His remarks set the stage for the keynote presentation from Google, which emphasized the power of investing in people and innovation.
“Gwinnett’s focus on the future of its talent pipeline is why companies are investing here in the Atlanta metro region,” shared keynote speaker Dr. Stephen Kamanu Ichatha.
Dr. Ichatha went on to emphasize the Power of Engagement as a lever we can collectively pull to bridge the talent gap. The core takeaway of the keynote focused on disengagement as the enemy of progress, and Dr. Ichatha urged employers and educators to foster and maximize meaningful engagement through programmatic partnerships. He cited the Partnership Gwinnett Workforce Summit as a classic example of this deep engagement.
The Summit built on insights gathered at June’s Workforce Forum, where employers provided direct feedback on hiring challenges and skill gaps. That input shaped this year’s program, emphasizing collaboration among educators, training providers, and industry to develop targeted, future-ready solutions.
Central to the day’s discussions was the unified role of Georgia’s school systems and higher-education partners in advancing workforce alignment. Representatives from Gwinnett County Public Schools, the Technical College System of Georgia, the University System of Georgia, and leading employers collaborated to strengthen career pathways, close skill gaps, and ensure students are prepared for in-demand roles across key industries.
“This event puts our education systems, colleges and employers in the same room — aligned around one goal: a strong talent pipeline for Gwinnett business,” said Kevin Carmichael, SVP of Economic Development at Partnership Gwinnett. “By coordinating efforts across K-12, post-secondary and industry, we can keep our region thriving in a changing economy.”
“At TRC Talent Solutions, we see firsthand how access to skilled, motivated workers drives business success,” added Travis Almy, Chief Growth Officer at TRC Talent Solutions. “Events like this strengthen the bridge between education and employment, helping employers connect with the talent they need while empowering individuals to grow their careers right here in Gwinnett.”
The Summit builds on Partnership Gwinnett’s efforts to position the county as a metro Atlanta leader in workforce development and innovation. Learn more about Partnership Gwinnett’s mission and partners in industry, talent and community at PartnershipGwinnett.com.
