Chamber participates in SAU Innovation Summit | Quad Cities Chamber

Mike Oberhaus, Interim CEO and Chief Strategy Officer for the Quad Cities Chamber, joined more than 120 business leaders from across the Quad Cities and throughout the Midwest at the St. Ambrose University (SAU) Innovation Summit: Building the Next Generation Workforce on April 7, 2022.

SAU called the summit to learn how future teaching practices and curricular approaches can prepare students for the next generation of work. Oberhaus said the university’s active engagement of local businesses will serve the region well today and into the future.

“Workforce education is vital for our region’s long-term success,” he said, noting the input gathered by St. Ambrose is a critical step in ensuring the institution can meet the future. “It can inform how programs iteratively change to better meet the needs and wants of our business community.”

Strong business partnerships will be essential to the future of higher education said Amy Novak, SAU President. “The tremendous response from the business community is gratifying and shows business leaders believe in the power of partnering with a university that is eager to consider and act upon their input,” she added.

“The speed with which technology is advancing within multiple sectors of the economy makes it a challenge for businesses to stay abreast and to leverage innovation,” Oberhaus said, noting that employees from every generation will benefit from enhanced workforce education. “Skillsets will have to evolve throughout an employee’s career. The work will not be stagnant. It will evolve and be different, and they are going to have to continually evolve their skills and experiences to meet those ongoing advancements in the work.”