BELMONT - About 70 business owners and human resource and economic development professionals gathered Thursday to discuss how to address the region's growing workforce challenges as part of a series of events by Prosperity Southwest Wisconsin.
"INDUSTRY 4.0 - Southwest Wisconsin's Future Workforce" began with an in-depth look at the current labor market and industry trends in southwest Wisconsin. These trends presented insight into both current and future workforce issues as well as potential solutions. In addition, an evaluation of the region's demographics provided an understanding of the existing workforce as well as what it can be expected to look like in coming years.
Two keynote speakers from University of Wisconsin-Extension, Matt Kunes and Steven Deller, provided detailed analysis of empirical data and anecdotal interpretation of the trends for the region. Their analyses showed how several factors, including increased automation and reduced corporate profits, are impacting job creation in the region. Less migration across the region also is seen as a significant factor contributing to the reduced availability of a workforce.
The potential solutions to the workforce issue included the formation of industry clusters to foster the sharing of successful approaches to workforce availability. Addressing child care and transportation were examples of new HR techniques that are seeing positive results. Promoting the quality of life in southwest Wisconsin and expanding housing options in the region are under consideration also by Prosperity Southwest.
Prosperity Southwest Wisconsin is the regional economic development organization for the region and is expanding the awareness of entrepreneurial support across southwestern Wisconsin in the business development series "Your Keys to Business Success." The series started Monday in Prairie du Chien and will be held in each of PSW's six counties. Further information on PSW and its upcoming events can be found at www.prosperitysouthwest.com.
"INDUSTRY 4.0 - Southwest Wisconsin's Future Workforce" began with an in-depth look at the current labor market and industry trends in southwest Wisconsin. These trends presented insight into both current and future workforce issues as well as potential solutions. In addition, an evaluation of the region's demographics provided an understanding of the existing workforce as well as what it can be expected to look like in coming years.
Two keynote speakers from University of Wisconsin-Extension, Matt Kunes and Steven Deller, provided detailed analysis of empirical data and anecdotal interpretation of the trends for the region. Their analyses showed how several factors, including increased automation and reduced corporate profits, are impacting job creation in the region. Less migration across the region also is seen as a significant factor contributing to the reduced availability of a workforce.
The potential solutions to the workforce issue included the formation of industry clusters to foster the sharing of successful approaches to workforce availability. Addressing child care and transportation were examples of new HR techniques that are seeing positive results. Promoting the quality of life in southwest Wisconsin and expanding housing options in the region are under consideration also by Prosperity Southwest.
Prosperity Southwest Wisconsin is the regional economic development organization for the region and is expanding the awareness of entrepreneurial support across southwestern Wisconsin in the business development series "Your Keys to Business Success." The series started Monday in Prairie du Chien and will be held in each of PSW's six counties. Further information on PSW and its upcoming events can be found at www.prosperitysouthwest.com.