Keynote Speaker

2013 Connections To Education Conference -July 31 - August 2 - Register Online Today!

 Josh Davies, CEO, Center for Work Ethic Development

Building on last year's message by his colleague, Eric Chester, Josh will share new research on work eithic with 2013 Connections To Education Conference attendees

          Career and Technical educators have always led the nation in teaching the technical skills that students need to get hired. But it's what we aren’t teaching that may end up getting them fired.

New research shows that nearly half of all employees were fired less than 18 months after they were hired.  The reason 9 out 10 were fired had nothing to do with being able to perform the tasks of the job; they were poor work behaviors. Showing up late to work, having a bad attitude, a lack of personal integrity – these are only a few reasons why even highly trained individuals lose their jobs.

In many cases, these terminations could have been averted altogether with a focus on training foundational work ethic behaviors. Josh Davies, CEO of The Center for Work Ethic Development will share strategies, specific tactics, and case studies to help build these behaviors with students. This engaging and interactive presentation will both educate and inspire you to become a work ethic champion. Because it isn’t enough to teach our students what they need to get a job – we must give them the tools to build a career!

Attendees will learn:

•      Costs of involuntary turnover to individuals, industry, and the American economy 

•      The most common factors and behaviors that cause involuntary turnover

•      Differences between foundational behaviors, technical skills, and soft skills

•      Actionable strategies and tactics for teaching foundational values and behaviors that can be used in every classroom

Josh Davies is passionate about helping others make a difference in their lives, jobs, and community. Through his work as a speaker, trainer, and mentor he has produced results around the country. He has delivered keynotes and training workshops to a wide variety of organizations across all 50 states, including the American Society of Training and Development and the National Restaurant Association. In preparation for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, he led the training for all 10,000 volunteers and more than 4,000 local service professionals for the event. Training Magazine recently named him as one of the top 10 trainers under 40 in America and the Denver Business Journal tapped him as one of Denver’s 40 Under 40.


His unique approach of blending complex theory with common sense and actionable solutions allows him to connect and engage with participants so that they can create their own personal change. With a background that stretches from gas stations to global companies, macroeconomics to the ministry, he is a modern Renaissance Man. An expert in world-class customer service, Davies also speaks on organizational change, personal authenticity, and corporate citizenship.

Davies is currently the CEO of the Center for Work Ethic Development, an organization committed to restoring work ethic values in high schools, workforce centers, and the private sector. He is also a published author and is frequently cited in national publications, including the New York Times. An avid runner, Josh has been awarded the Mile High Energy Award by Visit Denver, and an honorary Doctorate of Foodservice by the North American Food Equipment Manufacturers Association for his contributions to the hospitality industry. He is the past President of the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART), and has been appointed by the Governor to serve on the Colorado Workforce Development Council, and as Co-Chair of the State Youth Council.