EXPANDING TALENT POOLS: AN INCLUSIVE HIRING SERIES

Various Dates | May - July 2019 | 8:00 - 9:30 am

With Nebraska reporting a 2.8 percent unemployment rate (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) and an increasing worldwide talent shortage, companies must be creative with their hiring strategies. The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED) is committed to helping companies develop short and long-term plans for attracting and retaining talent.

We're launching the Expanding Talent Pool Series, a recruiting and hiring workshop that emphasizes inclusivity, in partnership with the Greater Omaha Chamber. Each session will feature expert insights and best practices. Learn how to successfully tap into available talent pools in Omaha and Lincoln that are sometimes overlooked or underutilized.

Learn more about each session below. Each session is free and open to the public, but registration is required. 

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HIRING FOR JOB SHARE

Tuesday, May 21 | 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Lincoln Chamber of Commerce | 1128 Lincoln Mall, Suite 100

In order to remain competitive, companies must be open to non-traditional workplace and hiring practices. Job-sharing is a talent-acquisition and retention solution that fills one traditional full-time position with two specialized individuals who are matched based on similar and/or complementary skills. Job-sharing is a flexible work option for the multi-generational workforce. It can also be utilized for additional talent- management solutions such as development, succession-planning and knowledge transfer/retention. The result is the ability to attract and retain top talent, increase engagement and leverage a wider range of capabilities to increase productivity and performance with little or no additional cost.

Join two co-founders to learn more about elements of job-sharing and solutions that are on the way to help you find talent that fits all shapes and sizes.

Education presenters: Jessica Charlsen and Jina Picarella, co-founders of JobShareConnect

REGISTER

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HIRING FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE

Tuesday, June 4 | 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Lincoln Chamber of Commerce | 1128 Lincoln Mall, Suite 100

Nearly 700,000 people are released from prison each year and are locked out of the job market. High unemployment and recidivism rates for returning citizens suggest that the first step in beating the odds is helping these men and women find gainful and steady employment. In this session, you will learn about workforce readiness programs in Nebraska that are preparing returning citizens for employment, both pre-release and post-release. You will also learn about federal incentives your business can access through second chance hiring including tax credits, insurance bonds and wage reimbursement.

Education presenters: Jeremy Bouman, RISE; Erin Cooper, Nebraska Department of Labor

REGISTER

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HIRING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Tuesday, June 25 | 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Lincoln Chamber of Commerce | 1128 Lincoln Mall, Suite 100

You want talented people, bottom line. Research shows companies that champion people with disabilities outperform others; and, companies that improve internal practices for disability inclusion are four times more likely to see higher total shareholder returns. The result: Hiring people with disabilities is good for business.

This session will discuss workforce resources for hiring talent with disabilities, disability etiquette, worksite accommodations and resources.

Education presenters: Justin Antons, Nebraska VR; Connie Daly, Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired; Crystal Booker, Ameritas

REGISTER

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HIRING OPPORTUNITY YOUTH

Tuesday, July 16 | 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Lincoln Chamber of Commerce | 1128 Lincoln Mall, Suite 100

Youth can play an important part in your talent pipeline and are often overlooked. A group of community stakeholders have been working to changes this and give youth (defined as age 16 to 24) an opportunity to succeed in life and employment.

Hear from community partners about how to take advantage of connecting with this population and, in collaboration with other community services, engage them in the workplace.

Education presenters: Nola Derby-Bennett, LPS CLC; Bill Michener, Lighthouse; Rose Hood-Buss, The HUB

REGISTER

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HIRING IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

Tuesday, July 23 | 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Lincoln Chamber of Commerce | 1128 Lincoln Mall, Suite 100

What is the process for hiring foreign national workers and sponsoring such individuals on employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visas? 

Are there options for long-term "professional" workers as well as seasonal / short-term workers? 

Especially in a tight job market with sustained low unemployment, more businesses than ever before are exploring options related to sponsorship of foreign national workers and are weighing various short-term and long-term considerations with respect to this pool of qualified applicants.  Business owners, human resources professionals and recruiters who attend this session will get an overview of the process and an understanding of the key issues to consider as they assess the feasibility of sponsoring foreign national workers through a variety of immigration programs.

Education presenters: Center for People in Need, Catholic Social Services, Lutheran Family Services

REGISTER