With companies competing on innovation and talent like never before, and labor markets becoming more dynamic and diverse, Workforce Development has become the one program that provides the most value to our membership. This program is integrated into each of our mission-work focus areas, especially Economic Development, Community Development, and Government Affairs. 

Workforce Development Spans the Chamber’s Mission-Work
The Chamber’s mission-work is driven by the needs of our members, partners and investors to grow their business, activate their high-impact leaders, and build a strong community together.

We convene regularly with our stakeholders to collaborate on developing programs, products and services encompassing the five key focus areas of our mission-work - Economic Development, Community Development, Government Affairs, Small Business & Entrepreneurial Development, and Destination Marketing and Management.  This mission-work helps us achieve our vision to be the center of world-class business, welcoming communities, and opportunities for all.  

With companies competing on innovation and talent like never before, and labor markets becoming more dynamic and diverse, Workforce Development has become the one program that provides the most value to our membership. This program is integrated into each of our mission-work focus areas, but especially Economic Development, Community Development, and Government Affairs. 

Connecting Employers to Skilled Workers
Outcomes from this Workforce Development program are critical for developing talent pipelines for current and future workforce needs in our region. Building a world-class community and workforce is helping us attract world-class companies to Northwest Arkansas.

Economic Development Division
Our Economic Development division’s mission-work is aligned closely with the Northwest Arkansas Council to invest in attracting top talent by supporting the Life Works Here initiative and conducting outreach to area recruiters and human resource managers to help them find qualified candidates.

The Life Works Here initiative is a multifaceted campaign that seeks to capture the attention and interest of those looking to leave the hectic life of major U.S. cities by bringing to light the lifestyle and career benefits offered in our region.

The division is also working hard to connect educators with industries by aligning curriculum with needed job skills through our K2J (kindergarten-to-Job) Connect. This initiative brings educators together with local manufacturers to discuss and learn about much-needed job skills and to showcase what modern manufacturing careers are available today.

Our Large Industry Council (LIC) is a committee comprised of larger industrial companies and businesses in Northwest Arkansas. The LIC consists of plant managers, CEOs, CFOs, general managers and human resources managers of business and industry with a minimum of 100 employees and helps the Economic Development division understand current issues and needs related to workforce and talent.

Along with being recognized as one of the best places in the nation to live and work, Northwest Arkansas is also known for its outstanding private and public educational institutions.  We partner with these organizations to help promote their Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs that enable students to understand, choose and prepare for careers with job skills that align with our local businesses’ needs. Through this effort students are learning that there are many pathways to lucrative careers that don’t require the traditional four-year degree.

Community Development Division
Our Community Development division’s mission-work impacts and enhances the quality of life in Rogers, Lowell and the region. They are working to expand our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to better welcome the growing number of residents, workers, and visitors from all backgrounds. Our Lens Series focuses on providing training and strategies to help level the playing field for small businesses regarding access to strategic and innovative DEI information and leadership support. This division also supports educational programs and develops our leaders for the future through leadership programs.  This work is helping to retain young talent in our region by getting them engaged in the community.

Government Affairs
Our Government Affairs division’s mission-work brings focus to issues like Workforce Development that can have a positive influence on business and to those issues that can be costly and unfriendly. The division provides education and advocacy on the priorities of the membership to the proper government body. Business's ability to grow and expand facilities depends on infrastructure and sound capital markets. Their ability to expand product lines or increase volume depends on the availability of a skilled workforce. All of these things are influenced by laws, regulations and policies that begin and end with some level of government.

Our Mission-Work is Ongoing
We determine value and importance of this Workforce Development program by surveys, one-on-one conversations, focus groups, investor responses to fundraising efforts, and by just listening to our members. To maintain relevancy, we are in constant contact with our members, elected and appointed officials, the State Chamber, and U.S. Chamber to stay current on needs and best practices for effective Workforce Development issues.

2021 Northwest Arkansas Fall Job Fair October 6
The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce will host its 2021 Northwest Arkansas Fall Job Fair on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Frisco Station Mall, located at 100 N. Dixieland Road in Rogers. The event is a good example of the Chamber working hard to connect employers to skilled workers.

It’s a perfect opportunity for employers to search for the right employees and get a head start on hiring needs for the year. Businesses of all sizes exhibit to ensure access to the hundreds of job seekers expected to attend.  Attendees get to learn more about local career opportunities and hand out resumes in one convenient forum.

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