Thirteen area businesses came together at the Park City Credit Union Community Room on Wednesday, May 15th for the first Regional Human Resources (HR) Workshop. The event was designed to gather HR professionals from area businesses and workforce resource organizations to share insights, collaborate, and connect. The 25 individuals that attended participated in a variety of conversations designed to foster connections and share themes they are seeing within the HR environment whether that be challenges or incentives used to attract and retain talent.
“This idea stemmed from our [Merrill Chamber] Human Resource Committee. We continue to hear about the struggle it can be to find and retain talent, and because of this committee we have heard it’s not an isolated issue, so let’s make the resources known and get those individuals together into one room and continue to grow our community in a positive way.” Merrill Chamber Executive Director Clyde Nelson stated.
The Chamber collaborated with Centergy to bring in representatives from North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, CW Solutions, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and Northcentral Technical College to deliver the tools available to employers and job seekers and the education given to area students going out into the workforce.
“It was a valuable morning for these individuals, and we hope that we can continue to offer these types of workshops through the Chamber,” said Nelson. “As a benefit to our Chamber members, we offer the opportunity to meet quarterly with our HR Committee. Whether you are an HR Professional or a small business owner, it allows you the opportunity to hear about the new laws that affect the hiring process and allow you to ask more seasoned professionals for advice on employee or hiring situations happening within your company.”
This event was free and open to both Chamber members and non-chamber members. It was sponsored by The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce, Centergy, Park City Credit Union, and Nicolet National Bank. For more information on resources available to you please visit the Merrill Chamber website: www.merrillchamber.org.