Raleigh Chamber seeks your input on the future of our region’s workforce

The author is President & CEO, Raleigh Chamber:

We need your input. What does it take to build a resilient economy? How do we fuel a workforce that continually lands our city, region, and state at the top of various “best of” lists?

According to CNBC’s annual Top State for Business ranking, “At a time when companies are clamoring for workers while trying to navigate a treacherous economy, no state is meeting their needs more effectively than North Carolina.”

We are fortunate to find our city, and broader region and state, at the top of lists like this. But what isn’t often considered is the intentional work of many organizations and individuals that come together to build this community.

We top these lists because we work together to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate the needs of our workforce. In 2017, we launched the Triangle Talent Regional Skills Analysis, a first-of-its kind study. That first study revealed critical skills needs in growing industries including IT, life science, and construction and skilled trades.

We conducted the study again during the height of the pandemic in 2020. Global pandemic or not, the economy was changing, industries were shifting, and so were companies’ skill, talent, and education needs.

The purpose of the survey is to better understand the current and future hiring needs of businesses in our community so that we can build a talent pipeline that ensures our region’s vitality. We communicate the results of the study with our training and education partners, as well as policy makers at the state and local levels.

This is where you come in. We are seeking HR professionals, site leads, and business owners from companies of all sizes to complete this year’s survey. Participating in this survey is a unique opportunity to shape the future of our region’s workforce. Your insights and perspectives will help us bridge skills gaps, create better employment opportunities and foster a thriving economy that uplifts our community.

This survey is presented in partnership by the Raleigh Chamber, Wake County Economic Development and Capital Area Workforce Development Board. Conducted by RTI International, a concurrent study is taking place in the Wilmington region, sponsored by the Wilmington Chamber, Cape Fear Collective, and the Cape Fear Workforce Development Board. This joint effort allows us to benchmark our communities against one another and learn from our successes and challenges.

We recognize your time is valuable, and the survey should take no more than 20 minutes to complete. To show our appreciation, we are conducting weekly prize drawings for gift cards to local favorites, as well as selecting two grand prize winners, one from each region. This year’s top prizes are a stay at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort in Wrightsville Beach and $1,000 to the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary.

Together, we can build a workforce that continues to be the envy of the nation and the pride of our community. Please use this opportunity to let your voice be heard and join us in building a strong and prosperous workforce.

Visit bit.ly/SkillsAnalysis to complete the survey.