VIA Celebrates 35 Years Connecting & Building SCV Industry

Thirty-five years ago, a group of 20 companies in the Valencia Industrial Center banded together to advocate for transportation improvements.  At that time, only a single road led in and out of the center.  Employees were virtually trapped in the park during emergency situations.  This group worked for change, and an extension of Avenue Scott was built providing a secondary route for ingress and egress.
Following that success, the Valencia Manufacturers Association was created conquering other important issues of the day, such as the establishment of daycare centers in the Industrial Park, operation of three emergency preparedness centers complete with ham radio equipment and operators, and the introduction of the Emergency Preparedness Expo.  A realignment of purpose refined the name to its current Valley Industry Association of Santa Clarita in 2010.
Business Leaders Spoke; VIA Listened
VIA sponsored its first CEO Forum in 1995 bringing together chief executives, community leaders and educators to discuss the business community’s training needs and workforce plans.  CEOs emphasized the need to re-engineer and retool the local workforce if they were to be successful in diversifying from defense to commercial manufacturing, and to expand into new markets.
In response, VIA and College of the Canyons Employee Training Institute began working together to fund a “retraining” initiative in the SCV.  An Employment Training Panel project was developed, and through that partnership, nearly $5 million in training funds to support skill upgrade training has been provided to 31,800 employees in the SCV.
At the next forum, there was a focus on key skills for success in the rapidly changing economy.  Top priorities identified included communication, problem solving and team skills.
In 2002, an overwhelming need emerged for entry-level employees to have basic business conduct skills.  Students entering the workforce needed to be better equipped with fundamental skills and work ethics.  The end result was VIA’s signature education program: Connecting to Success.
VIA Initiative Highlights
For 35 years, VIA has been the voice of business and industry in the Santa Clarita Valley and on the cutting edge of solutions-based problem solving.  While many worthwhile programs have come to fruition and successfully concluded or changed hands to evolve into their present-day form, some have transcended the passage of time and continue to impact the business environment of today.
• Valencia Learning Center.  In conjunction with College of the Canyons, this center opened in 1995 offering training and retraining to the existing workforce based on funding available from Employment Training Panel funds.  Today the Valencia Learning Center is known as the COC Employee Training Institute.
• VIA BASH.  Debuting in 1999, the VIA BASH celebrates and showcases the businesses of Santa Clarita with the presentation of the VIA Awards.  This year’s event will be held Friday, October 28 at the Hyatt Regency Valencia, benefitting the Connecting to Success program.
• VIA B2B Industry Show.  The VIA B2B Industry Show opened in 2002 and evolved into the VIA Regional Executive Summit.  The industry show returned in 2009, taking the signature event to the next level in 2012 by introducing Earvin “Magic” Johnson as the keynote speaker for the luncheon address.  The show returns in 2017 in a new format.
• Connecting to Success.  Offering important workplace readiness skills to high school students, this signature program now trains more than 2,500 high school juniors annually from all area high schools.
• VIA Education Foundation.  VIA’s community education programs were transferred to the VIA Education Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, with its formation in 2007.  Its purpose is to promote the advancement of education programs and opportunities for the workforce and emerging workforce in the Santa Clarita Valley.
To learn more, visit www.VIA.org or contact Kathy Norris at 661-294-8088 or kathy@via.org.

The Bash

Relive the glitz and glamour of the 1960s as VIA takes you back in time at THE BASH on Friday, October 28 at the Hyatt Regency Valencia.  Celebrating its 35th year, guests will enjoy the retro-themed evening complete with décor and entertainment indicative of the period.  Prepare to be swooned by musical entertainer Adam Tunney and his band.  Oh, and there are sure to be lots of martinis!
“VIA’s BASH has become one of the must-attend events in the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Hillary Broadwater, chairwoman of the event.  “This year, the attire is black tie or nightclub elegant that is sure to make this year’s BASH a spectacular event.”
Keeping in theme, VIA is offering virtual mini-martini sponsorships available before the event to benefit the VIA Education Foundation.
“For each mini-martini donation made, it covers the cost of sending one student to Connecting to Success in the fall,” Broadwater said.
Donors will also receive recognition at the event.
To purchase tickets or to become a Connecting to Success mini-martini sponsor, visit www.scvtickets.com/e/viabash or contact Kathy Norris at 661-294-8088 or kathy@via.org.

Comments