By Jen Strobel Lancaster SHRM Board President
A feature piece from our Summer 2024 issue of the Lancaster Thriving Publication.
Attracting talent is a top priority for businesses facing a competitive job market. Retaining employees is just as crucial as attracting them. Businesses that invest in the professional development and well-being of their employees often see higher retention rates. Innovative workplace structures are essential for adapting to the evolving needs of the workforce. Community partnerships can play a significant role in identifying solution opportunities to address these business needs.
When entering the world of workforce development it does not take long to recognize the term is large, and the scope is even greater. The challenges related to the workforce are broad and often defined by the group asked, the impact on the economy is significant, and the options, opportunities, access, and availability for solutions are as wide, deep, and varied as the challenges they seek to solve. In short, workforce development is a complex issue with no single solution.
To combat the complexity of the issues surrounding employment from both the job seeker and employer perspective, leaders of various organizations in Lancaster County have been collaborating to pool their resources and increase their collective awareness. Lancaster SHRM (LSHRM) is one fish in that pond.
As the local chapter of Human Resources professionals, LSHRM has been developing intentional partnerships with several local organizations to share unique solutions to traditional challenges for HR professionals to utilize at their workplaces. These solutions range from training, development, certifications, and apprenticeships for the existing workforce to expansive and innovative thinking on broadening the candidate pool, reducing employment barriers, and increasing employee retention.
Many of the organizations offer resources and programs to employers at little or no cost. However, most local employers are either unaware of the availability of these free services or unsure how to get started or who to contact. This is where LSHRM comes in.
Serving as a conduit, LSHRM’s goal is to connect its members to resources that help solve members’ challenges (and often those challenges are related to the workforce.) As LSHRM’s membership continues to grow so does our number of formal and informal partners. Whether through sponsorship or agreements, we have built relationships with a multitude of local organizations providing services to job seekers and employers alike. Until there is a single-source repository of information of services, LSHRM will continue to build itself to be the next best thing for HR professionals.
Addressing workforce challenges requires a collaborative effort between businesses and community partners. Through strategic partnerships, we can develop innovative solutions for talent attraction, employee retention, and workplace structures. By investing in these areas, we not only strengthen our local economy but also create a thriving, sustainable community for all. Lancaster SHRM is proud to support and highlight these initiatives, showcasing the power of collaboration in overcoming workforce challenges.
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Lancaster SHRM’s next partnership event is:
Wednesday, June 5th from 5-7 pm @ Southern Market – Breaking Barriers: Effective Communication and Support for Non-English Speakers in the Workplace
Lancaster SHRM’s partnerships include – Career Ready Lancaster, Lighthouse Vocational Services, Economic Development Company, Goodwill Industries – Keystone, Moravian University, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, Lancaster County STEM Alliance, Lancaster Newspapers, Leadership Lancaster, Library System of Lancaster County, Millersville University, Workforce Development Board, Workplace Talent Solutions
More information can be found about Lancaster SHRM at – Homepage – Lancaster SHRM www.lancastershrm.org
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