October ‘Issue Spotlight’ – Identifying New Sources of Talent

Critical Talent Issues

Earlier this year Talent 2025 researched and surveyed member companies to better understand the unique challenges impacting both their existing workforce and their efforts to attract new talent. Respondents were provided a list of nine critical talent issues and asked to rank them based on importance. The responses were analyzed and the results are below.

1. Identifying new sources of talent to fill job openings.
2. Developing the knowledge and skillsets of the existing workforce to meet current and future demands.
3. Increasing the diversity and inclusion within our organization.
4. Balancing and managing various employee work styles to accommodate in person, remote work, and a hybrid model.
5. Reducing barriers to employment and retention: Childcare, transportation, lack of education and skills, and substance use.
6. Overcoming a lack of technical knowledge and skills among job applicants.
7. Developing and implementing strategies to support workplace mental health.
8. Using evidence-based practices or skills-based hiring for talent selection.
9. Addressing a lack of “soft skills” or employability skills among high school and college graduates and adult job seekers.

To support member employers in this area, in April of 2021 Talent 2025 began hosting a series of Issue Spotlight events. Each spotlight in the series involves an in-depth, single topic discussion intended to shed light on an issue most important to CEOs and HR leaders. Related content is also shared in our blog.

October ‘Issue Spotlight’ – Identifying New Sources of Talent

Learn how leading West Michigan Employers are identifying new sources of talent to fill job openings. Join us to hear about trends that contribute to a declining labor force participation rate, a shrinking work force, and changing employment preferences for job seekers. This event will also include an interactive panel focused on utilizing underemployed talent (internal), out of market talent (out of the region) and developing pipelines.

Featured Panelists

• Eric VanDuren, Senior Director, Talent Acquisition for Spectrum Health
• Danielle Small, VP of Global HR for Shape Corporation
• Mark Johnson, Co-founder and Managing Partner for Michigan Software Labs
• Eric Steindler, VP of Human Resources – Stores for Meijer
• The session will be facilitated by Amy Kraal, HR Executive and Business Owner for the HR Solutions Group of West Michigan

Event Details

• Hosted via Zoom
• Wednesday, October 20^th, 2021
• 12-1 pm (EST)
• This event is designed for Human Resource leaders

Registration

Registration is required for this event. Register at no cost through Eventbrite by Friday October 15^th, 2021.

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Direct all questions to Whitney White, w.white@talent2025.org. Other issue spotlights in the series can be found on Talent 2025’s YouTube channel.