Help is on the way, employers

Headline: 42 percent of current jobs going away. — Front page Cd’A Press, Jan. 19

Headline: Thousands of Idaho skilled jobs go unfilled. — Page C2 Cd’A Press, Jan. 19

Put those two together and what do you have? Today, a slew of good jobs that are open because employers can’t find qualified people to fill them. And not far down the employment highway, a massive shift in jobs because of rapidly changing technology.

Either way, if you’re the owner, manager or human resources person at a North Idaho business, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve got a headache now, and a better chance that you’ll have a headache tomorrow.

Care for a little relief?

The Coeur d’Alene Area Economic Development Corporation — formerly known as Jobs Plus, Inc. — is joining forces with several sponsors to help light the way to local workforce solutions. On Friday, Feb. 23, they’ll be hosting Business Summit 2018: Best Kept Secrets to Building Your Workforce.

The cost is just $20 if you reserve a space before Feb. 9 ($30 after that), and it includes lunch. In other words, it’s darned near free if you’re willing to invest the day; the summit lasts from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at NIC’s Parker Technical Education Center on Lancaster Road in Rathdrum.

The agenda isn’t set in stone yet, but here are hot topics likely to be tackled:

- Most pressing employee issues facing your business

- “Engage to Retain,” featuring Jack Smalley, one of the top HR speakers in the nation

- Success stories and pitfalls: Recruitment and retention — panel discussion/Q&A

- Cybersecurity for businesses

- Opportunities and resources

- Networking and time with resources

Amber Conklin of CDA EDC says the summit will provide tools proven to help employers attract and keep good employees without spending a fortune.

What do you have to lose — besides your livelihood? To find out more about the business summit, email info@cdaedc.org or go to: http://bit.ly/2D7FRQP