The Columbus Area Chamber’s “Drive for Five” Workforce Development effort aggressively pursues new talent to fill jobs in our area, and the latest report from the Department of Labor shows the effort to attract and retain workers is paying off. In fact, there are more individuals in the Platte County labor force this summer than there has been in the past several years.
That said, this is no time to rest on our laurels. At the July 17 Governor’s Summit on Economic Development, we heard how competitive and critical workforce development is across the United States. The message was: “don’t wait for an answer, but seize the opportunity to grow on our own.” Talk and act like you are the mayor of your city. Be a welcoming community. Promote. Invite your friends to live here. You are all recruiters!
Without a doubt, workforce recruitment comes with a substantial price tag, so the Chamber wants to say a sincere “thank you” to those school and industry partners that have committed their support to growing the workforce in our area.
Thirty organizations have financially supported the Drive for Five in 2019. The funding they provide ensures recruitment activities, training opportunities, school/business partnership programs, and innovative strategies for filling the hundreds of open positions remain available in our community. The pursuit of new residents to fill jobs is more pronounced now than ever before, due to our nation’s challenging and competitive employment market.
The following sponsors are committed to meeting the challenge head on:
ADM
ARL Credit Services
Associated Staffing, Inc.
BD Medical Systems
BD Pharmaceutical Systems
Behlen Mfg. Co.
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services/Premier Real Estate
Black Hills Energy
CAMACO
Cargill Meat Solutions
Cargill Protein
Central Confinement Service, LLC
City of Columbus
Columbus Community Hospital
Columbus Hydraulics
Columbus Public Schools
Columbus United Federal Credit Union
Cornhusker Public Power District
Duo-Lift Manufacturing Company
FLEXcon Company
MIBA Industrial Bearings
Northwestern Mutual
Lakeview Community Schools
Loup Power District
Pillen Family Farms
Pinnacle Bank
Platte County Board of Supervisors
Preferred Sands of Genoa
Samson, LLC
Valmont Utility