In the first two parts of the Midcoast Workforce Series we have looked at the myth of current unemployment being the result of masterful political policies and also we dove into the societal barriers facing the unemployed.  To recap, for low unemployment, policies are a very small part of the record unemployment, when in fact more Americans are turning the typical retirement age of 65 this year, and annually over the next ten years, then at any time in U.S. history.  With so many retirements, businesses are scrambling to replace those bodies with either new staff, automation or likely a combination of both.

To recap our barrier series, we discussed 9 social barriers that we need have workforce leaders begin to take a look at. Workforce has never had to deal with societal issues because there have always been more people than the jobs that were available.  That is not the case.  We need to look at things like affordable housing, aspirations of youth, generational expectations at work, childcare, transportation and more to make more people employable.

This week, I want to stop identifying the problem and begin to start talking about solutions that are happening in our region and around Maine.   The overall takeaway is that many industries and small groups are beginning to work on these issues, and in some cases, it’s businesses taking it on themselves.  What we need is more engagement from other business people and concerned citizens.  Here are a few projects, programs and everyday things you can do or need to be aware of:

Hiring Signs

Yup it is very, very basic.  But for businesses that need help this should be a first step you take.  Not only will it possibly make an employee out of a loyal customer who already believes in your business and your product, but also it raises the awareness of this major problem.  If you don’t read the newspaper, or watch the local news, you may not about the workforce issues.  Hiring signs show our communities that this a real problem and that we need to work across the community to solve it with municipalities, non-profits, schools and businesses working together.  Try this: the next time you’re driving, or even better when you are a passenger, count how many ‘Now Hiring’ signs  or “We start pay at…” signs you pass.  They are everywhere.

Hiring Fairs

Our chamber is partnering with the Southern Midcoast CareerCenter to have a Hiring Fair, next Tuesday, May 21 from 10AM to 1PM at Coastal Orthopedics, 14 Thomas Point Road in Brunswick.  With so many businesses hiring we have kept the price low at $80 per booth so we can fill up the 60 booth spaces we have inside their athletic training facility.  For job seekers, this means there is no better time to meet employers who have jobs available today. 

Beyond this fair though, did you know the Southern Midcoast CareerCenter holds monthly hiring fairs at their location on the Brunswick campus of Southern Maine Community College.  These fairs only have room for 12-15 business booths so typically they’re for a particular industry or geography meaning some fairs have been only for healthcare careers, manufacturing careers or businesses located on Brunswick Landing, fore example.    

Community Conversations

This is a broad category that could cover so many different pieces, but in this instance I mean the barrier resolution conversations.  Curtis Memorial Library, for instance, began an affordable housing discussion series last year bringing in a variety of stakeholders to inform the public of the issues and hear the public’s concerns.  In the multi-part series they have brought in the housing authority, developers, contractors, brokers, town councilors and more to discuss the issues surrounding affordable housing.  The first step to solving any problem, is identifying there is one- these are tremendous first steps.  When you as a business owner or citizen see these conversations happening, plan some time to attend to educate yourself on the issue and lend your voice to the discussion.

Panel Discussions

A number of panel discussions have sprouted up over the last 6-12 months and they are continuing across the state.  The next one in our area is Wednesday morning, May 15 (unfortunately the day many of you are reading this).  If you are reading this first thing and want to come out, the forum is at TechPlace and is being put on by the Times Record and will feature experts in employment from the Portland Press Herald and other businesses discussing attraction and retention policies for employees.

MRRA, the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, which runs the old base properties at Brunswick Landing and a couple of other former navy properties, launched the quarterly What Works series in February this year.  This February panel discussion featured 6 panelists discussing retention of employees too.  Retention has become a big key for employers because with so many available jobs, keeping the employees you have is as important as attracting new ones.

One unique idea to come from the MRRA panel, was when one of the panelists talked about “stay interviews.”  The idea is that all businesses do hiring interviews and on-boarding interviews with new hires, and some do exit interviews when someone leaves to find out why they are leaving and what the company can work on from this person’s perspective.  A stay interview is not an annual review, but a more proactive discussion that says ‘what can we do to make your stay more comfortable’ and ‘what ideas do you have to help us improve’ or ‘how can we change your job to make it better.’  Occasionally an annual review will get to these questions, but more typically the employee is just worried about getting high marks and are reluctant to make suggestions.  Stay interviews can help.

Next week, we will dive into the final part of our series looking at other solutions that are happening in the Midcoast region.