Forward Janesville - TheReport - Fourth Quarter 2019

There has been a tectonic shift of focus in the world of economic development from trying to stimulate investment and job creation to workforce development and talent recruitment. That shift is reflected in how the partners of the Rock County Development Alliance (the “Alliance”) allocate their time and resources. Let’s start by reviewing some numbers to get a sense of how things have changed since the Alliance began with the first Rock County 5.0 plan in 2010. Since 2010, over 140 projects have been announced in Rock County, which has resulted in 5,544 new, full- time jobs created. The unemployment rate currently sits at 3.5 percent, which represents just under 4,000 people still looking for a job. The Alliance launched the job-listing website, JobsInRockCounty.com, in 2016. There are over 400 job openings posted in the online job board on any given week. The Alliance has been a supporter, and partial funder of various programs in Rock County’s high schools including the college and career readiness program called Inspire.org, a paid internship program for high school seniors called the Rock Internship Program, and coming soon, a paid externship program for high school staff called the Rock Externship program. All of these programs are designed to enable students, teachers, and parents to have quality, comprehensive information available regarding the career opportunities available right here in Rock County. Over the 4-year period from 2016- 2019, over 2,000 career-based learning activities took place in area high schools. Over 40,600 area students participated in these activities. The bottom line is that a considerable amount of time and financial resources are being allocated to help ease the workforce challenges being experienced by area businesses. However, the feedback is loud and clear: there still is a growing challenge finding qualified workers. We are talking to our partner organizations. We are scoping out what other cities, counties, and regions are doing to meet this challenge. If you have ideas or any feedback regarding solving the workforce shortage, I welcome your call or email. John Beckord • President, Forward Janesville • johnb@forwardjanesville.com 4 • W W W . F O R W A R D J A N E S V I L L E . C O M DEVELOPING TALENT TO SUPPORT A GROWING ECONOMY Since 2010, over 140 projects have been announced in Rock County, which has resulted in 5,544 new, full-time jobs created.