Free networking event for local employers coming to Corbin Center May 9

“We need more reliable employees.” This is an observation that has been made by employers with increasing frequency in recent years. Since the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, many businesses have struggled to stay consistently fully staffed.

If you are a local business owner or hiring agent who has had this experience, then you may want to clear off some time in your calendar to attend a special networking event taking place at the Corbin Center on Thursday, May 9.

Bridging the Workforce Gap is a program that is being presented by the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet, the Kentucky Career Center and the American Job Center. It will focus on connecting employers with useful resources in their ongoing efforts to hire and retain capable employees.

Aaron Poynter is the Director of the Targeted Services Branch of the Office of Adult Education in the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet. As director, he is in charge of overseeing the efforts by his team to bring state, regional and local resources together so that they are, in his words, “aligned properly and working together to make positive impacts in the work force.”

Poynter will be at the Corbin Center on May 9 to offer a brief presentation at the beginning of two separate sessions – at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. – before allowing attendees to converse with representatives from a variety of different organizations.

“The event on May 9 is going to be awesome,” Poynter said. “Employers that attend will gain immediate, actionable steps that will help them to begin tapping into workforce pipelines. They will have the opportunity to speak with individuals who can help them gain access to resources that will attract employees.”

Much of the work that Poynter and his team does focuses on helping to remove barriers to employment for individuals who might need help navigating the judicial system, obtaining additional education and/or skills training, or simply need to know how to connect with a potential employer.

“Being able to knock out all of these barriers at once instead of one at a time speeds up the rate of success,” Poynter explained. “We need to break the old cycles and help start new cycles of resources and success. We need to turn barriers into bridges.”

“Employers may have some understanding of a few of the resources that we can offer, but this is going to be a one-stop shop for all of the things that are going to pour into your business,” Poynter added. “We are going to come full force and be very intentional, and will be willing to help you navigate and walk through all of the different processes.”

This is a free event, and a meal will be included with both sessions. Scan the barcode accompanying this print version of this report to reserve your spot today. For more information, e-mail Poynter at aaron.poynter@ky.gov or send a message to jana.shell@lcadd.org.