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EDASC initiatives address workforce shortages
EDASC initiatives continue addressing workforce shortages
In response to employer needs, EDASC in 2021 launched a pair of programs to address workforce challenges to go along with its existing initiatives.
EDASC launched the Skagit Job Board in June, enabling its Investors to publish unlimited job openings at no cost. It also co-hosted three Northwest Regional Job Fairs, helping connect employers and job seekers virtually.
“Over the past year — and even before that — the first thing we heard from employers was they were having difficulties filling jobs,” said EDASC Economic Development and External Relations Manager Aaron Weinberg. “EDASC has shifted its resources to meet that need.”
For at least a generation, it has been apparent with the aging of the Baby Boomer skilled workforce, particularly in manufacturing and the trades, that the newer generations were not numerous or trained enough to replace them.
The pandemic only intensified these pre-existing workforce shortages.
EDASC’s workforce development initiatives have aimed to help businesses fill positions.
The Skagit Job Board, EDASC’s most popular Investor perk, is regularly at capacity with 100 employers advertising open positions. It averaged around 1,500 total listings at any given time. It’s been so successful EDASC is looking at ways to make this service available to more segments of the business community.
The virtual Northwest Regional Job Fairs helped connect over 600 job seekers with positions at over 200 businesses and organizations from Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties. These events were made possible through partnerships with WorkSource and Skagit-Island Human
In this highly competitive labor environment, employers and indeed the entire community need innovative efforts to attract and retain the workforce they need.
EDASC CEO John Sternlicht
