Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
Education & Workforce Development
Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Education & Workforce Development team partners with employers, educators and community leaders to create a skilled, local talent pipeline that meets our State’s workforce needs.
About the Program
For Hawaii’s economy to thrive, businesses must have a skilled talent pipeline and kamaaina need pathways to careers that pay a family-sustaining wage.
We work to:
- prepare Hawaii’s young people for college and career success by developing career pathways and work-based learning
- convene industry leaders to develop sector-specific talent pipelines through Sector Partnerships
- connect jobseekers to training and entry-level employment
- build systems that create infrastructure and bring innovation for long-term impact
- create partnerships within Hawaii’s workforce development ecosystem
Work-Based Learning
Through work-based learning, the Chamber provides career exposure and preparation for Hawaii’s young people that expands economic opportunity and prepares them for post-secondary and career success.
Work-based learning opportunities for students and teachers include:
- workplace visits
- guest speakers
- mentorship
- certification
- industry-aligned mock job interviews
- paid internships
- educator externships
We build strong partnerships with businesses and schools that create a homegrown talent pipeline for Hawaii’s future.
Sector Partnerships
Hawaii’s industry-led, community-supported Sector Partnerships build skilled talent pipelines for high-growth industries to strengthen our local economy. Chamber of Commerce Hawaii serves as lead convener for the state with support from Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the University of Hawaii and AE Consulting.
Current Sector Partnership and subject-matter expert leads:
- Clean Energy – DBEDT Hawaii State Energy Office
- Creative Industries – DBEDT Creative Industries Division
- Engineering – Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
- Healthcare – Healthcare Association of Hawaii
- Information Technology – Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
Other Initiatives
Kamaaina Come Home
Are you a kamaaina college student studying engineering on the continent? Or a mid-career engineering professional who wants to return to Hawaii to work?
Join the Kamaaina Come Home – Engineering network and you will receive:
- 1:1 Transition Mentorship by a local Engineering Executive
- Access to Job Opportunities in Hawaii
- Invitations to Networking Events
Kamaaina Career Connect
A networking event that connects students attending mainland universities with local executives to support their return to Hawaii to begin their careers.
Future of Work
In partnership with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Workforce Development Council, the annual conference explores innovative solutions to successfully navigate Hawaii’s workforce needs.
Federally Funded On-the-Job Training
Hawaii employers can expand their talent pipeline through federally-funded workforce programs in partnership with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the University of Hawaii Community Colleges (UHCC).
Quality Jobs, Equity Strategy & Training (QUEST) dislocated worker grant offers employers an opportunity to host a fully-funded paid intern (up to 6 months) and helps job seekers unemployed for four weeks or more return to work.
Good Jobs Hawaii allows employers to help shape the free skills training UHCC offers residents and connects them to program participants seeking entry-level employment. Employers receive a one-time stipend to offset the cost of new hire onboarding.
Grant support is provided by these partners.
