Sector Competency Framework Summit set for June 29th

June 22, 2010

The Heartland 411 partnership is pleased to host a day-long training and collaboration summit on Industry Sector Competency Frameworks Tuesday, June 29th.  The event runs 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Saracen Room at Downstream Casino Resort.

What is a Sector Competency Framework?

Comprehensive and readily accessible industry competency models that document the foundational and technical skills and competencies required for workplace success in economically important industries. Industry competency models provide a resource for the development of curriculum, certifications, and the tests that assess work-related competencies.

The Heartland 411 partnership of workforce, economic development, and education professionals team up with business sector leaders to design the competency models relevant to the Four-States Region that fill gaps in supply and demand for businesses and the workforce.

Who Should Attend?

Practitioners and program designers in workforce and economic development, education, and industry associations will all gain insights on the tools helpful to achieve talent development goals for the region.  Competency models form the foundation for developing curriculum and selecting training materials, and for licensure and certification requirements, job descriptions, recruiting and hiring, and performance reviews.

What happens on Tuesday, June 29th?

Roderick Nunn, the Vice-Chancellor of Workforce and Community Development at St. Louis Community College, facilitates a day-long training and collaboration session on the design and deployment of sector competency models.  Rod brings valuable expertise to this Heartland 411 event, having led multi‐million dollar business/industry‐based education and training programs throughout Missouri and Illinois.

The festive environment of the Downstream Casino Resort serves as the backdrop for the event, which includes a buffet luncheon with a staggering variety of oriental, Mexican, Italian, and southern cuisines.  The meeting will be in the Saracen Room in the hotel section of the resort.  Downstream is conveniently located off Interstate 44, Exit 1, and the Tri-State marker for Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

How Do I Sign Up?

Send your contact information to Jasen Jones by email to ceo@workforcezone.net.  Jasen will notify you of your registration and send specific information on the event the day before.  Jasen may be reached by phone at 417-206-1717, Extension 224.  For more information on the Heartland 411 regional development initiative, visit the website at www.heartland411.org.

2010 SEK Business Conference blazes new trail

May 18, 2010

Southeast Kansas, Inc., SE Kansas Human Resources Association, and Labette Community College are pleased to announce the most comprehensive business conference for Southeast Kansas’s Business community in many years.  The 2010 Southeast Kansas Business Conference is set for August 5th at Labette Community College in Parsons.  Nationally recognized speakers discuss the topics that are most critical to today’s business environment.  This is your organization’s unique opportunity to hear and discuss the most up to date information on a wide variety of meaningful issues.

Who Should Attend

This conference is designed to benefit small business owners and managers, as well as human resource professionals and financial officers.  With the broad range of topics, it is relevant to manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, hospitals, educators, bankers, etc.  It is advised to bring as many members of your management staff as possible.  There is limited seating (200 max.) so please register early.

Session Topics

  • Health Care Reform’s Effect on Business
  • KS Dept. of Commerce Incentive, Credits and Awards
  • Business Survival in Today’s Political Climate
  • Strategic Planning Your Business’s Future
  • Business Legal Changes
  • Employment Law Changes
  • Kansas Legislative Review for 2010 Session and Outlook for 2011
  • Controlling Health Care Costs
  • Hiring Right the First Time
  • Human Resources 101

Presenters/Subject Matter Experts

  • KS Sec. of Commerce William Thornton
  • Wyatt Wright, Esq.
  • Andrew Thengvall, Esq.
  • Natalie Bright, Esq.
  • Dennis George, CEO
  • Russ Moen, SPHR
  • Walter Keener, SPHR
  • Phil Hayes, SPHR
  • Sue Goldsmith, SPHR

Registration Info

Individual Full day cost is: $149
Early bird special prior to July 4th: $134
SEK, Inc. and SEK HR mbrs: $134 (prior to July 4th: $120)
Company discount:  Add as many colleagues as you wish for only $49 each!

Limited vendor space and advertising opportunities are available as well.  Contact Stacey Stuart, sstuart@rsihomeproducts.com, for more information.

Workshop offered to explore social media tools for regional prosperity

May 6, 2010

Heartland 411 is proud to present nationally-known workforce thought leader, Sandra Hastings on Friday, May 14th. The workshop on social media outreach for regional economic development will help the Four-States region boost its one-stop workforce and economic development system outreach through low-cost, high-impact channels.

Following introductions and a brief update on the Heartland 411 initiative, Sandi will guide participants on how to unleash the power of internet tools to improve service delivery for job creation as well program outcomes.  After a networking lunch, the workshop focuses on social media techniques to improve business outreach and tools to enhance the image and influence of regional partners.

The workshop runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Springdale, AR. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited and participants are encouraged to register quickly.

Regional Youth Workforce Summit announced

April 15, 2010

Youth Council stakeholders from the WIBs across the Four-States Region are gathering for a day-long networking and collaboration summit on the vision for the future of the youth workforce.  The acclaimed Jones Center for Families at Springdale, Arkansas is the location for the summit, slated for 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 13th.

The summit opens with a brief orientation targeted to youth system stakeholders on Regional Economic Transformation in the Four-States area.  The keynote presenter for the Summit is nationally-known workforce leader , Sandra Hastings.  The summit targets Youth Council members, youth partner agencies, and WIA Youth providers.  Participants will gain insights into the strategic role of WIB Youth Councils in regional economic transformation and how leaders can engaged cross-state collaboration.  Sandra’s training includes tips on capacity-building for Youth Council and their respective stakeholder networks to more effectively pursue and attain goals.

A networking lunch offers attendees a chance to get better-acquainted with cross-state colleagues.  The afternoon agenda includes breakout sessions and group collaborationon next steps for Shared Youth Vision opportunities and regional impact.  The summit wraps up by 3:00 with a summary of upcoming events, projects, and ways to get further involved in regional economic transformation.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited so RSVP today!  For more information, contact Jasen Jones at the SW MO WIB by email to ceo@workforcezone.net or by phone at (417) 206-1717, Extension 224.

Summit Agenda Focuses Economic Recovery and Momentum

February 11, 2010

Registration is now open for the next in the series of Quarterly Regional Summits hosted by Chambers of Commerce and WIB stakeholders from across the Four-States area.  The summit is slated for 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 19th at NEO A&M College in Miami, OK.

Following a busy holiday season and kickoff for 2010, regional leaders are ready for follow-up on strategies refined at the November regional visioning summit at Bentonville. The event includes a forum on economic recovery progress to kickoff the summit. Lunch and refreshments are included at no charge to attendees.

Summit Agenda:

  • Focus Group Forum on Economic Recovery Progress (in conjunction with the Southern Growth Policies Board)
  • Networking Lunch
  • Recap of November Summit Outcomes
  • Breakout Sessions on Next Steps
  • Green Sector Survey
  • Summit Closing and General Announcements

Interested  attendees may register online at the link below or send their contact information by email to scloyd@joplincc.com.  Questions or ideas for the summit may be directed to Jasen Jones by calling 417-206-1717 or by email to ceo@workforcezone.net.  For interested stakeholders not able to attend the event onsite, the WIB is planning to offer a live web video stream of the summit.  Remote viewers may sign-up and select the streaming option through the same registration link below.

QSRT Summit feb 2010 570x300

Background for the February Summit

Stakeholders met previously in November at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Bentonville.   Guest moderators Jason Gatz and Tom Miller facilitated group discussions on the start of a SWOT analysis and emerging themes for regional planning based on targeted phone interviews of regional leaders.  Attendees provided valuable insights through breakout sessions on regional opportunities, priorities, and possible obstacles.  The February summit is set to debut a summary report of regional efforts to date.

Leading off the summit is a focus group forum session on regional economic recovery progress.    The February 19th opening session is held in collaboration with the Southern Growth Policies Board as part of a network of other community forums across a network of thirteen other southern states.  Titled, The Road to Recovery…Making Choices for Your Community, insights from the Four-States event at NEO are factored in the overall research report to southern states Governors and business leaders later in 2010.

Regional Visioning Summit set for Nov. 20th

November 3, 2009

The Regional Chambers of Commerce and the Quad-States Regional Transformation collaborative  set Friday, November 20th as the date for a Regional Visioning Summit.   The summit drills down on master plan priorities, while at the same time, ignites leaders with the region’s potential impact for global competitiveness and economic prosperity.  This key event builds on the regional strategy development work of several committees across the greater Four-States region. Read more