August 28, 2024 Meeting Recap

Location: The Health Plan
Topic: Survey Follow Up and Other Business Items

Updates
- Job Postings at the Chamber site is available
- We are working on creating a space to share resources and communication
Employer and institution informational forms and database creation
Preview of Sept. 4 “Back to Business” event
Discussion of grant opportunities
Discussion of the skills gap from the employer survey we conducted
- What are the priorities for educators to address?
- What other gaps should we address?
Open discussion: Other topics to pursue
Future meetings
- Micro-credential Roundtable: TBD
- Business Services RISE Up event: An opportunity to learn more about local business that provide business services (such as Williams Lea and Orrick): TBD
- RISE: Friday, Sept. 27, 8 a.m.
Tour of the Health Plan

Employee Skills Gap (from survey we conducted of local employers)

Professionalism

Candidates showing up for interviews
Check your resume for errors. Be punctual! Showing up with a Starbucks 45 minutes late to an interview is unacceptable! Do not post thirst traps on social media, yes employers look you up before you arrive.
It’s difficult to find employees who can work a consistent schedule.
Start by teaching kids to have work ethics and basic everyday skills. That would be a great start.
Showing up on time, or at all
time management, professionalism (soft skills)
Reliability of Scheduling, Competing Priorities (esp multiple jobs)
Attendance is tough.
Willingness to do extra
customer service, resume building, punctuality
Strength and drive to want to work and show up
Work ethic, general common sense.
Understanding of how we work as an MSP in the “real world”.
Punctuation in some resumes are to be desired. While tattoos and piercings are more common. I feel these should be taken out (nose, eyebrow, etc.) or covered up to what extent they can be if applying for a professional, conservative type of position.
Work ethic
The ability to arrive on time and fulfill the assigned task without arguing about why
Working a 40 hour week. Diagnosing problems.
Technical preparation; Aware of Office protocols; Time management

Soft Skills

We need leaders!
It is also difficult finding candidates who have the needed skills such as computer and communication
Process development, such as “What is the process you follow to zero in on the problem?”
Communication skills & professionalism
Verbal/Writing Skills
Communication skills (phone and in person) as well as common office ettiquette
Team work emphasizes
Attention to Details
Writing skills
We see lack of communication (not asking clarifying questions),
Critical thinking and the ability to work unsupervised.

Technical Skills

I discovered that my high school intern was not taught Excel. On a personal note, I have a 19year old and 16 year old who are not proficient in Office 365.
Marketing knowledge, especially niched. General communication skills.
Some computer programs and communications
Software knowledge mostly the Microsoft suite. Often candidates lack the general understanding of what it is to work in a professional environment.
Computer skills
Must have basic accounting knowledge and be willing to learn Sage 50 Accounting Software.
Certification – specifically math, science, special ed
Electrical/Mechanical Troubleshooting and Repair

Specific Industry Needs

We need engineers or applied physicists… & CNC machinists
We have a serious need for licensed therapists or social workers, and do not seem to have a large pool of candidates locally that meet requirements of WV BMS for services we provide
We need more students pursuing accounting as a career.
Trades are really needed; also administrative professional support
Construction match, blueprint reading, safety awareness practices, teamwork, time management
Can’t find machinists or composites technicians

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