Join the I-49 Corridor Workforce Summit to help build a resilient, thriving workforce through the development of regional partnerships across Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. In an era defined by rapid change and interconnected challenges, collaboration across regional lines has never been more crucial. This one-day summit will pull together community leaders, employers, and workforce partners to tackle the pressing issues of today and help shape the workforce landscape of tomorrow. Featuring presentations and discussions from experts and practitioners in the workforce.
- Discover innovative solutions to staffing and scheduling dilemmas.
- Explore proactive talent pipelines and ways to enrich our talent pools.
- Engage with thought leaders on navigating evolving workforce policies.
- Uncover what Gen Z and Gen Alpha seek in their career paths.
This is your opportunity to connect, learn, and lead the way toward a stronger, more adaptive workforce. Together, we can build resilient communities through the power of regional partnerships. Don’t miss this event. Be a part of the conversation that drives progress and opportunity in our region.
October 10
| Time | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 – 8:15 | Welcome |
Chett Daniel - Crowder College Tara Dryer - University of Arkansas |
| 8:15 – 8:45 | Regionalism and Workforce |
Cody Waits Julie Carter |
| 8:45 – 9:30 | Flexible Scheduling and Staffing in the Workplace |
Shiftboard |
| 9:30 – 9:50 | Break | |
| 10:00 – 10:45 | Talent Pipelines: Recruiting, Apprenticeships, Career Pathways |
Sean Murphy - Walmart Foundation Rob Kimbel - Kimbel Mechanical Carol Moralez - UpSkill NWA Barrett Robinson - JB Hunt |
| 10:45 – 11:30 | Legal Immigrant and Refugee Hiring Strategies |
Khalid Ahmadzai - CanopyNWA Kara Gebre - RAISE Angela James - La-Z-Boy Margot Lemaster - NWA Council Tony Savage - Crowder College |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Networking Lunch | |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Keynote |
Lavea Brachman The Brookings Institution is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. Their mission is to conduct in-depth, nonpartisan research to improve policy and governance at local, national and global levels. |
| 1:00 – 1:45 | Workforce Policy Panel |
Education Design Labs - Joe Davis Jobs for the Future - Sara Lamback Samantha Evans - St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank Stuart Andreason - Executive Director of Programs, Burning Glass Institute |
| 1:45 – 2:00 | Break | |
| 2:00 – 3:00 | Gen Z and Gen Alpha in the Workforce – Student Panel |
TBD – Students from NWA and SWMO Joe Rollins - NWA Council |
| 3:00 – 4:00 | Wrap Up and Problem Identification / Next Steps |
University of Arkansas Crowder College NorthWest Arkansas Community College Missouri Southern State University |
This workforce conference is to provide relevant workforce solutions for employers from Fayetteville to Joplin. Topics of discussion will address the challenges employers identified as they navigate the landscapes of a new dynamic workforce. The goal of this summit is to elevate the challenges workforce partners in Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri are facing and explore solutions with community and regional partners.
Topics include:
- The importance of regionalism and collaboration of adjacent regions to address workforce challenges.
- Flexible scheduling solutions employers are using to address the challenges of staffing for shift work.
- Proactive talent pipelines to staff areas that are critical for business operations and success (pre-employment training, apprenticeships, partnerships, recruiting, and career pathways).
- Addressing talent shortages through legal immigrants and refugees. What are the opportunities and resources available?
- Navigating workforce policy and promising practices. How can you be thinking ahead using proven strategies? What do you need to be prepared for in the coming months and years?
- What is Gen Z and Gen Alpha looking for in job opportunities? Do your talent attraction strategies match what newer workforce generations are looking for in work opportunities?
$59
October 10, 2024
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
The summit is sold out. However, you can join the waitlist that will put you in a queue to be contacted if open seats become available.
Location:
The Ledger
240 S Main Street
Bentonville, AR 72712
Thank You to Our Sponsors
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