In this issue . . .
Small Business of the Year finalists Calendar of Events Member News Ribbon Cuttings
MARCH 2017
The Workforce Hub is here to serve you By David Eckmann, President/CEO
I
f you’re like most organizations in our community, finding and hiring skilled and professional workforce is a challenge. In my discussions with our partners at the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, what we are facing in this talent shortage is not a passing situation – it’s here for the next decade, if not longer. WE have a problem and WE must work together to address it, head on. A core competency of the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce is to connect, convene and collaborate. We do it daily. Our mission is to build a vibrant community and strong business environment. Earlier this month, the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce re-launched the Workforce Hub, our workforce development effort. The purpose of the Workforce Hub is to: • CONNECT and convene partner organizations in their full capacity to work together. • Identify and create OPPORTUNITIES that will assist in developing, retaining, and attracting workforce to the Wausau region and Marathon County. • Develop and maintain a digital RESOURCE hub where members can easily identify and access an abundance of organizations that are working to
develop the talent pipeline. • EDUCATE our membership and partners as to ongoing needs for each, the evolving economy, and to support the alignment of education, business, and not for profits. This month’s kick-off meeting included more than 40 organizations including school district from across Marathon County, post-secondary institutions, corrections, notfor-profits serving a variety of populations and many from workforce development. Also in attendance were member businesses, large and small, from the manufacturing, health care, finance and insurance, trades and commercial sectors. Prior to the start of the meeting, you could hear the buzz and engagement that accompanies the process of two or more parties coming together to solve a problem. The Workforce Hub is here for you as a member of the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce. You can participate in this effort, it’s a member benefit to you. In fact, it will serve you well as you seek out talent for your organization and will connect you to potential business opportunities as well. Over the next two months, we will introduce a new website and a variety of tools to aid you in your efforts to locate workforce and to enhance your ability to enhance commerce. In the meantime, if you have an interest in getting involved in the Workforce Hub, please reach out to Renae Krings, Talent Development Director at rkrings@ wausauchamber.com .
www.wausauchamber.com