Page 17 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Spring 2021 Digital Interactive Issue

universities to provide more internships and apprenticeship opportunities.
There is fertile ground to have an impact in that arena. Nearly 70%of
the firms expressed willingness to provide internship and apprenticeship
opportunities, while more than 70% of high school students surveyed
expressed an interest in those programs.
Another area of the Kaysinger study is laying the foundation for talent
attraction. Unlike many rural areas, the region has seen population growth
but to ensure an available workforce for existing and new employers
there needs to be a focused effort. “We are actually seeing an increase in
people moving here because of the pandemic because of our lifestyle and
lower cost of living. However, many of these are working remotely or self-
employed,” said Garman-Neeman. She added “We want to capitalize on
that but we also surveyed our existing employers on their specific employee
needs so we can work them on attracting people with the skills they need
to be successful.”

The future of work is evolving. Artificial intelligence, automation, remote
work were all trends impacting businesses large and small prior to the
people and well-trained medical staff for many of our companies to grow. pandemic. However, the pandemic has both highlighted and accelerated
By assessing that need now, we can work on providing more of that training those trends. The long-term economic success of communities will hinge
in our region,” noted Garman-Neeman. on their ability to clearly understand what businesses are seeing and to help
them respond by ensuring the availability and skills of the workforce now
But, as the workforce study has already pointed out, training needs to go and into the future. Economic development organizations like the Kaysinger
beyond specific job skills. One on one interviews with key employers and Basin RPC are leading the way in ensuring their businesses, communities
a survey of the broader business base indicate that critical thinking and and residents continue to thrive.
communications skills are right behind the job-specific skills employers are
seeking. Those are also key skills high schools survey so far indicate are
key to their work success. “It’s good to see we have a big part of the future ROB O’BRIAN, CEcD O’Brian & Associates.
workforce already aligning with employer needs on key soft skills, but there Rob O’Brian served as President of the Joplin
is more work to be done.” Part of that work indicated by workforce study Area Chamber of Commerce for twenty-three
is about automation. Nearly 60% of businesses surveyed indicate they see years. Rob founded O’Brian and Associates in
increasing automation because it will have a positive impact on operations. early 2018 to advise and assist communities on
However nearly 50% of high school students surveyed are not sure how economic and workforce development.
automation will impact their job options, and many believe automation will
reduce their job opportunities. That indicates a need to better link students rob@obrianassociates.com
with employers to better understand the expectations.
www.obrianassociates.com
One of the recommendations in the workforce study is for the Kaysinger 417.438.0100
Basin RPC to link more businesses with K-12 schools, community colleges and

17. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL