Pennsylvania business leaders and human resources professionals gathered in Harrisburg for Pa. Chamber’s human resources conference on Thursday.
Hiring challenges, new labor laws and emerging technology are among the challenges facing employers, and businesses are looking to build and maintain the new workforce.
Leaders like Brandon Smith, talent acquisition specialist with Wohlsen Construction Services, are focusing on hiring the next generation.
“We have a little bit more positions open than normal. We have a lot of good growth going on here. Our biggest challenge is just trying to match what our hiring teams are looking for, matching the qualifications and trying to find the right candidates,” Smith said.
Smith said that the company is battling with an aging construction population.
“We have some people [who] have been there 40, 50 years,” he said.
Organizers said the goal is to help employers stay ahead of fast-changing workforce trends and new regulations that affect businesses statewide.
“HR managers are concerned about finding their next generation of talent, but then they’re also concerned about retaining that talent,” Lauren Holubec, Pa. Workforce Development Association executive director, said.
And senior vice president of government affairs for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry Alex Halper said employers in the skilled workforce sector, like Smith, face a difficult reality when finding next-generation laborers.
“We’re expected to have a 300,000-worker deficit in really just the next few years, by 2030,” Halper said.
Speakers shared insights into policy, regulations, upskilling and retention-based programs that companies can implement to prevent turnover.
“Retain the talent that they have, meaning great health insurance benefits,” Paula Beleck, senior benefit consultant with the Pa. Chamber of Insurance, said.
Leaders shared ways to build community partnerships with childcare centers, transportation services and housing communities to provide employees with greater stability and benefits. They are hopeful that the companies walked away with the knowledge to create a better workplace with thoughtful ways to include employees in the conversation.
“Employers and companies that are willing to make changes and ask the question ‘why?’ are going to be the most successful,” Holubec said.
