Building a Better Workforce

Summit Brings Leaders Together to Develop a Vision for Long-Term Change

[share]Last week more than 40 leaders came together to discuss workforce development issues in Adams County and to develop a shared vision for long-term change. The event facilitator assisted the group with identifying and prioritizing the area’s workforce challenges and building a framework for future collaboration.

Participants included representatives from secondary and post-secondary education, regional and local development groups, staffing services and a number of community-based agencies that all have some involvement in workforce development.

The United Way of Adams County, the Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois, John Wood Community College and GREDF hosted the event because we recognize the importance of maintaining a skilled and reliable workforce in our area.

“The availability of skilled labor has become a key factor in site selection and expansion decisions,” noted GREDF President Marcel Wagner. “Our ability to retain and attract businesses directly impacts the well-being of our region and the ability of our families to be financially self-sufficient.”

You may recall our last eDevelopments included findings from a recent survey conducted by Area Development Magazine detailing top site selection factors. Labor costs and availability of skilled labor ranked number one and number three respectively.

A steering committee is being assembled to build strategies and address the challenges and goals identified by the group. If you or your organization is interested in being a part of this steering committee, please contact Megan Backs at 217.223.4313 or meganb@gredf.org.