Virtual Roundtables Ask ‘Where Are the Workers?’

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — A pair of virtual roundtables will ask area businesses “Where Are the Workers?”

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley is partnering with Team NEO and Fund for Our Economic Future to host the virtual roundtables for Mahoning Valley employers, according to a release. Roundtables are scheduled for 1:30 to 3 pm. on March 10 (register HERE), and from 1 to 2:30 p.m. March 11 (register HERE).

Discussion topics include hiring and talent retention challenges, how businesses are responding to the evolving talent landscape and what they’ve done or tried in order to be more competitive in attracting jobseekers. After the discussion, a representative from Team NEO/Fund for Our Economic Future may reach out to participants in order to share their story – information can be attributed to the business leader or kept anonymous, according to the release..

“Where Are the Workers? is an important project that will help the Mahoning Valley overcome the challenges in the labor market and put us on a course that will make our area a better place for all,” Shari Harrell, president of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley said in the release. 

Employers in all industries are asked to participate. Results from the research, including surveys and roundtables with workers later this year, will be compiled into a report that serves as a guide for economic development efforts and businesses in the future.

“Our goal is to create an environment for candid conversations that produce actionable insights for employers and practitioners in Northeast Ohio and beyond,” said Bethia Burke, president of the Fund for Our Economic Future. “A documentarian for the project will take notes at these roundtables, which will inform the end product.”

Where Are the Workers? began last fall with a survey of employers from across northeastern Ohio – including in the Mahoning Valley – and an examination of national data on the upheaval in the labor market during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the early analysis of the data can be found at TheFundNEO.org/watw. 

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.