Nearly 100 business leaders, educators and workforce professionals gathered June 25 at the Junior Achievement Discovery Center in Gwinnett for Partnership Gwinnett's annual Workforce Forum, presented by TRC Talent Solutions.

The event brought together employers from across the region to discuss workforce trends, talent development strategies and opportunities to strengthen Gwinnett's competitive advantage as a destination for business growth.

Nelmaris Alvarez, Senior Director of Development of the Junior Achievement Discovery Center of Georgia, welcomed attendees and highlighted the importance of connecting education and industry to prepare the next generation of talent.

Attendees heard from keynote speaker Aaron Schoonbaert, Chief Operating Officer of Price Industries, who shared insights on building sustainable talent pipelines and the importance of employer engagement in workforce development.

"Strong communities are built by strong partnerships," Aaron Schoonbaert, Chief Operating Officer of Price Industries. "When employers actively engage in developing talent, they create opportunities for individuals, strengthen their businesses and contribute to long-term economic growth."

Participants joined facilitated roundtable discussions focused on workforce challenges and opportunities facing employers across industries. Conversations explored topics including talent attraction and retention, partnerships with education providers, experiential learning opportunities, leadership development and preparing the future workforce.

"Today’s employers need practical, up-to-date solutions and trusted partnerships that help them attract, compete for, and retain top talent," said Kevin Carmichael, Senior Vice President of Partnership Gwinnett. "The Workforce Forum creates a space for those honest conversations to happen and helps ensure Gwinnett remains responsive to the needs of its business community."

Insights from the forum will inform programming at the 2026 Workforce Summit scheduled for October 22. The Summit will expand the conversation and showcase actionable solutions developed in response to employer feedback.

As Gwinnett continues to grow and attract investment, workforce development remains a key component of the community's economic success. By bringing employers, educators and workforce partners together, the Workforce Forum reinforces a shared commitment to building a strong talent pipeline and supporting long-term business growth.

To learn more about how Partnership Gwinnett is shaping the future of work through talent development, visit PartnershipGwinnett.com.