While the topography of Southern Vermont may look the same today as it has for centuries, the workforce landscape has changed dramatically: older workers are retiring in record numbers and there aren’t enough younger workers to fill the open positions, leading to a critical labor shortage.

To help address this impending crisis, the BDCC and Brattleboro Area Human Resources Network (BAHRN) recently presented Expand Your Talent Options, a 4-part workshop focused on meeting the hiring needs of Southern Vermont companies and organizations.

Nearly 40 employers participated in the series, ranging from hospitals with hundreds of staff members, to manufacturers with dozens of workers, to sole proprietors with one or two employees. Armed with data from the recent Lightcast report “The Rising Storm: Building A Future-Ready Workforce to Withstand the Looming Labor Shortage” (which also presented at the recent Southern Vermont Economy), hiring managers at the workshop discussed the latest trends and best practices with peers, learning from one another about effective strategies to attract, train, nurture, and retain new employees. Questions addressed included: What are Gen Z workers looking for in a job and in a company; how can I provide refugees with the training they need to fill open positions; and what might entice Baby Boomers to continue working rather than retire?

“It turns out the local HR community is hungry to connect with their peers around topics such as these,” says Alex Beck, BDCC’s Welcoming Communities Manager. “Working with BAHRN and Adaptiva HR, we created a space for employers to come together and talk about best practices and to establish connections with other hiring managers who are facing the same issues.” The series consisted of four, in-depth workshops:

• Part 1: The Future of Vermont’s Workforce
  Attendees took a deep dive into workforce demographics and participation rates using data about current and future workforce trends, both in Southern Vermont and across America.
• Part 2: Recruitment & Attraction
  The first step to meeting workforce needs is engaging talent and getting them in the door. Different jobseekers are looking for different opportunities and lifestyles.
• Part 3: Activating Talent & Cultivating Careers
  Filling a vacancy is the first step, not the last, in solving workforce challenges. What are the tools and resources needed to turn them into life-long employees?
• Part 4: Pipelines to Success
  By participating in—and even helping design—workforce pipelines, hiring managers can ensure their organizations directly benefit from public investment in the future workforce.

Each employer left with a detailed plan of action to help them address their specific hiring needs, as well as how to overcome obstacles at their companies such as a lack of resources or a reluctance to change because previous attempts were not executed well. The program was jointly developed by BDCC, Adaptiva HR, and BAHRN with support from the Southern Vermont Working Communities team, funded by the Boston Federal Reserve, and the BDCC Workforce Center of Excellence (WFCOE), funded by a Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant from the Northern Borders Regional Commission and US Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA). BDCC hope to present this workshop annually as part of its ongoing Workforce Development programming.

“We work hand-in-hand with the region’s employers to prepare individuals to be successful in the workplace, be they students, BIPOC Vermonters, or new Americans,” says Alex. “Everyone wants happy, successful employees who can provide for their families and contribute to the local economy.”

In addition to the Expand Your Talents Options series, BDCC’s workforce development programs include Pipelines and Pathways in the Schools, Welcoming Workplaces, Southern Vermont Young Professionals, and Grow Vermont Relocation Assistance. Adds Alex, “If we can get the workers, employers, and communities all rowing in the same direction, we will build a stronger, more resilient Southern Vermont.”

To learn more about BDCC’s Workforce Development programming, visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com/workforce/

To connect with BAHRN, reach out to Jennifer Jacobs at jennifer@adaptivahr.com.