Across the nation, workforce boards and training providers and economic development organizations are starting to talk to each other more. The goal is for workforce training to better reflect the industries and their workforce needs in a particular area and also enable economic development groups to better promote workforce strengths of an area.
“While this seems like common sense, typically both industries have gone about their own business without much collaboration with each other,” said David Hoffman, manager-External Affairs for PPL Montana. “Because of this new national focus, we’ve worked with the Montana Economic Developers Association – who identified this topic as a priority – to design a training seminar that will translate this trend to Montana-specific topics.”
“Leveraging Workforce Resources for Economic Development Success” will be sponsored by PPL Montana on Wednesday (11/2) and held as a prelude to MEDA’s semi-annual conference.
“PPL has a long-term commitment to community and economic development. We have the staff expertise and relationships with national experts to be able to deliver on that commitment,” Hoffman said. “As one of the largest employers in Montana, this is one way we can contribute to a strong and healthy economy, which we all have an interest in.”
About 150 economic development specialists, employees from the state departments of labor and commerce, business owners, representatives from the governor’s office and university academics have registered for the seminar, which will be held at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish from noon to 6 p.m.
“MEDA is committed to helping our members gain the knowledge and skills needed to effectively address the economic development priorities of their local area, and workforce training is an essential component of any economic development effort,” said MEDA President Dick Kin of Missoula Area Economic Development. “We welcome PPL's sponsorship of this valuable and timely workshop.”
The seminar’s featured speaker is nationally known economic and workforce development consultant Leslie Parks. She will discuss economic and workforce development challenges in a global economy and address such questions as what does the playing field look like, where is the talent, where are the jobs going to come from and what do employers need.
Evan Barrett, chief business development officer for Gov. Brian Schweitzer, and Keith Kelly, labor commissioner for the state Department of Labor and Industry, will give an overview of what’s new in Montana workforce development.
A four-member panel will discuss the alignment opportunities between workforce development and economic development. “A significant element of this section of the program will be the importance of life-long learning for Montana communities to be successful and meet the ever-changing needs of its businesses and its citizens,” said Don Bernhard, manager-Community and Economic Development for PPL and panel moderator.
Also on the panel will be John Cech, dean of Montana State University-Billings College of Technology; Virginia Sloan, business advocate at the Flathead Job Service Workforce Center; and Linda Beck, director of business recruitment and outreach for Big Sky Economic Development Authority.
The panel members will talk about tools and programs used to attract and retain companies, identify and meet the training needs of companies and help companies compete.
“This part of the program will show how demand can be identified and information shared between workforce and economic development groups to ensure that citizens of Montana have the skills needed to succeed in a highly competitive world,” Bernhard said.
Another portion of the seminar will focus on workforce readiness. Martha Herron, a regional community relations director for PPL, will present a business-education partnership model that has been used successfully to make workforce changes.
This is the fifth training session PPL Montana has hosted for MEDA since 2001. Other topics included: Introduction to Economic Development, Economic Development Marketing, Working with Companies and Working with Communities.