A Message from GRCA CEO & President

GRCA still committed to workforce development

By Jim Gerlach, President & CEO, GRCA

As we all know, a robust workforce is vital to the success of our local businesses as well as our economy overall. We have seen many changes and challenges with our workforce over the last two years and our new normal is anything but normal. The uncertainty that business leaders faced at the start of the pandemic has lingered far longer than anticipated. In addition to labor challenges, businesses have also been affected by supply chain disruptions, rising fuel prices and the highest inflation rate in 40 years.

Talent attraction and retention remain top priorities for our local businesses, and we at GRCA are committed to working with our members through these challenges by identifying strategies and resources to successfully address these issues. This also includes working with our educational partners, workforce development organizations and those organizations that support workforce and economic development, to collaborate and share resources in support of our local businesses. Our team has continued to work closely with our members to understand their changing needs and try to support them with appropriate resources.

Here are a few examples of how we have engaged with and supported our members workforce needs this year: • Continued to manage the Next Gen Manufacturing Industry Partnership of the Greater Reading Region • Coordinated a newly formed Berks Life Science working group • Conducted our HR Roundtable sessions with local businesses • Held Women2Women events focused on supporting women and fostering their career advancement • Facilitated employee training and upskilling programs focused on advancing employees’ skillsets • Worked with dozens of local business leaders to understand their needs and connect them with resources • Collaborated with educational partners, government organizations and those organizations that support workforce development While our labor force has experienced greater leverage and opportunities over the past two years, they have also not been immune to the effects of the pandemic. The impact of rising inflation on their household income, stress and burnout associated with an ongoing pandemic as well as housing and childcare shortages, has all taken a toll on them as well. We must continue to promote workers’ health and wellbeing, upskilling our workforce and working with our educational partners in continuing to develop and strengthen the talent pipeline.

Now more than ever GRCA will continue to be a conduit for businesses and help support our region’s workforce demands by driving collaborative community-wide partnerships that address our workforce needs and promote the development of the talent pipeline using workforce training and recruitment strategies to meet the demand for high-quality, qualified talent today and into the future. We will also continue to advocate for businesses and employee needs. Some recent examples include: • Immigration reform • Additional funding for worker training • Smart Growth and Affordable Housing initiative • Affordable and accessible childcare

For businesses, it is crucial to focus not just on employee attraction, but also retention. Make it a priority to create welcoming and innovative environments where employees feel like they are part of a team. Within your workforce prioritize learning and professional development while illustrating a clear career advancement path for each employee. It is also important that you are heard, so please take part in one of GRCA’s events and share with us your needs, so that we can work together to find solutions.

Thank you!

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE