Summit to offer tips for building a better workforce

Business Summit 2018: Best Kept Secrets to Building Your Workforce will be happening from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the Parker Technical Education Center, as an opportunity for area businesses and human resource professionals to learn techniques on employee attraction, training and retention, to build bigger and more stable workforces for continued growth and success.

This is an inaugural event coordinated by the Coeur d’Alene Area Economic Development Agency (CDaEDC, formerly Jobs Plus) partnering with Idaho Central Credit Union, Avista, Express Employment Professionals and North Idaho College.

Key topics include “Engage to Retain,” “Opportunities and Resources” and “Cyberdefense for Business.” Keynote speakers from the regional chambers of commerces, the Department of Labor and other agencies will offer ideas and solutions for business members.

“I wanted to have an opportunity to help businesses learn about the many resources in our community for them, and we decided the scope was too broad, so we narrowed it down to the most pressing issue our local employers are facing, which is the tightening workforce, and for many, the ability to get a trained cadre of employees,” explained event coordinator Amber Conklin, of CDaEDC.

CDaEDC plans to make this a yearly event. The group is considering holding two summits a year with topics and resources to help business development in the area.

The cost for the event, which includes coffee and refreshments, and a salad and sandwich lunch buffet, is $20 per ticket if purchased by Feb. 9, and $30 after that. The Parker Technical Education Center is located at 7064 W. Lancaster Road, in Rathdrum. For information, email info@cdaedc.org. Tickets my be purchased at www.bit.ly/BestPracticesWorkforce.