GROW
HELP WANTED
Connecting Employers with Potential Workforce BY JENNIFER REISER, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
As of July 2015, unemployment is at 3.2% in Yellowstone County.
As a partner in BillingsWorks, the Billings Chamber saw a need to create a link between our Chamber member businesses and the potential workforce. Job seekers have a number of tools available to them to find the next job: gone is the sole reliance on the want ads, job service postings and employment agencies. Now there’s Monster, Craigslist, jobs boards and social communication that all come into play. Recently the Chamber released a new Jobs Board to help our nearly 1,200 member businesses find qualified employees. In many cases, the first stop someone new to our community makes is to the Billings Chamber
JOBS BOARD
for information. They need maps, information on events and attractions in our area, visitor or relocation packets and, ultimately, information on employment in the area. For every person who stops in to visit, there are many more who visit our website looking for the same information.
members, the jobs board becomes one more in an array of member benefits we offer, and for job seekers, the resource offers quality employment opportunities from vetted businesses involved in a reputable community organization. The new Jobs Board is accessible at BillingsChamber. com/job-board/.
Chamber members can extend their reach to the hundreds of locals and potential newcomers to Billings who use our website daily. Jobs post for 30 days for just $100, and posting is complimentary to Rimrock Level members and above. (If needed, call 245-4111 for details about your business’ membership level). For our
In addition, Chamber members who offer services to job seekers are highlighted on the page. The new Jobs Board is one step toward addressing current and future workforce needs in Billings.
Chamber Statistics: What are we doing for you?
As of June 30, 2015, the end of our fiscal year, the Billings Chamber represents 1,181 members with approximately 47,935 employees. Since the beginning of our fiscal year on July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015: Number of Calls/Inquiries:...........9,925 (average of 827/month) Visitors to the Visitor Information Center:.......................... 4,780 Visits to VisitBillings.com:................................................ 190,759 Visits to BillingsChamber.com:..........................................38,095 Relocation Packets Mailed:.....................................................203
Connect for Lunch:................ 373 lunches served so far this FY. At an average cost of $12/lunch that is an impact of $4,476 to member restaurants.
Convention and Meeting Tourism Bookings:.................... 56,164 hotel room nights booked for $12,636,900 total economic impact on the city of Billings.
Conventions and Meetings Serviced by Visit Billings:.......5,820 convention delegate packets provided.
Visitor Information Packets Mailed:..................................25,295 Business Meeting Attendees at Chamber:........................ 11,350 Chamber Event Attendance:.................................................8,297
Is your info current? Make sure we’re sharing the correct information with potential clients! Check your listing at BillingsChamber.com and let us know if changes are needed.
SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 2015 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 7