The C4 Report from the City of Central Chamber of Commerce

    On October 10, at 12:00 noon we host our October Membership Luncheon.  Our guest speaker Julie Laperouse, Director of the Talent Development Division of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, will be addressing our chamber members.  The focus of her presentation will be on retaining and recruiting an educated, talented, and skilled young workforce to our region. There is a fierce competition for this workforce and we must do what we can to secure them. 

    Ed Rust, Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, points out that while many are struggling to find jobs, many jobs are going unfilled. There is a growing skills gap and the consequences are very apparent.  Mr. Rust writes in his article, “Action Required Today for Success Tomorrow” in the September 11, 2012, Free Enterprise, “Indeed, an escalating number of students in other countries are completing high school with the necessary skills to immediately enter the workforce or pursue higher levels of education. Countries previously considered to be emerging economies have overtaken us in terms of the percentage of young people entering the workforce with the skills to be productive and competitive in today’s rapidly evolving global economy. Studies find on average that young Americans entering the workforce are not as well prepared academically as older Americans who are approaching retirement. While some Baby Boomers may be delaying retirement because of current economic issues, an estimated 40% of the current workforce is expected to turnover in the next five years. Clearly, we are facing an enormous skills gap in our workforce, more pronounced than any of us have seen in our lifetimes.” 

    Besides the continual improvements in education that are necessary, we must be proactive in creating an environment that is attractive to the potential workforce that can meet the challenges of the ever-changing global economy.  Whether it is encouraging them to stay or enticing them to come, the developing educated, talented, and skilled young workforce needs to be drawn to our region.

    Come on out to the meeting next Wednesday and find out how we can move in this direction.  Doors open at 11:30am for networking and the meeting starts at 12:00 noon. Cost is only $12 and includes a great meal provided by Spencer Smith of Kristenwood.  See you then!