Kentucky Workforce Summit - Agenda

8:00 a.m.     
Registration and Continental Breakfast with Sponsors and Exhibitors

8:30 a.m.
Welcome
LaKisha Miller, Executive Director, Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center

8:35 a.m.
The State of Kentucky’s Workforce
Beth Brinly, Deputy Secretary, Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet
Jamie Link, Secretary, Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet
LaKisha Miller, Executive Director, Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center
Moderator Beth Davisson, Senior Vice President, Kentucky Chamber Foundation

What is the state of Kentucky’s workforce? Are there enough people to fill all the job openings? With a record number of business expansions and location in Kentucky in 2022, how will all these new positions be filled? Attend this session and learn what the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet is doing to meet the current and future workforce needs of Kentucky as well as what the business community is doing to help in these workforce efforts.

9:15 a.m.
Keynote | Untapped Talent: How Second Chance Hiring Works for Your Business and the Community
Jeffrey D. Korzenik, Chief Investment Strategist, Fifth Third Bank

The labor shortage is here to stay, and businesses that treat talent acquisition as “business as usual” will lose out to competitors that learn to tap talent wherever it can be found. Tens of millions of Americans are overlooked by employers because of a past criminal record. Not every person with a record is ready to be a good employee, but millions are not only ready, they are eager to prove they are more than their worst mistake. Done right – selectively sourced and appropriately supported – such “second chance” employees prove to be exceptionally engaged and loyal employees. Jeff Korzenik, author, researcher and chief economist of Fifth Third Commercial Bank, will share not only the business case for hiring people with records but how to do it right.  He will include a discussion of the overall business case, handling objections and learning the lessons of pioneering business leaders who have developed successful – and profitable – models for engaging overlooked talent from this population.

10:30 a.m.     
Workforce Management Today vs. 50 Years Ago
Robert Greene, PhD, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, GPHR, CCP, CBP, GRP, CEO, Reward Systems, Inc.

Today's volatile environment has subjected organizations to "permanent whitewater." Traditional workforce planning models requiring predictions must be replaced by "Plan... act... assess... adapt... assess... adapt" processes much like SEAL teams deal with uncertainty. What has remained the same over the last five decades are the principles of sound workforce management. What has changed is the type of strategies, programs and administrative processes that will work well today. What needs to change going forward: 1. increased investment in continuous environmental scanning, 2. adoption of scenario-based planning approaches, 3. increased use of evidence in formulation of recommendations and decision making, 4. evaluating role designs and making them more agile, and 5. investing in performance management and rewards management systems that co-evolve with the environment.

11:30 a.m.      
Luncheon with Sponsors and Exhibitors

12:30 p.m.      
Workforce Expansion: Demonstrating Corporate Leadership
Condrad Daniels, President, HJI Supply Chain Solutions
Kim Halbauer, Kentucky Regional President, Fifth Third Bank
Amy Luttrell, President & CEO, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, Inc.
Steven Rudolf, JD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, System Vice President, Human Resources, Baptist Health
Moderator:Ashli Watts, President and CEO, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Workforce is a top priority for Kentucky Chamber members. Now more than ever, employers continually reinvent their workforce strategies to find and retain talent. In this session, hear from key business leaders facing workforce challenges and demonstrating critical leadership. Throughout this discussion, we will review the needs of the private sector and learn how these business leaders are continuously improving how they approach talent attraction and development through employer-led solutions.

1:30 p.m.     
Promote Employee Recruitment and Retention with Inclusive Job Descriptions
Kimberly Wickert, CRCC, Director of Organizational Partnerships, RETAIN Kentucky/ HDI
Laurie Mays, Agriculture and Equine Talent Pipeline Manager, Kentucky Chamber Foundation

Job descriptions are the introduction to an organization and support an employer's position as to what functions of a job are essential and, when written well, can attract workers to that job. They are largely written from a physical demand perspective used as a tool to manage people back to work following a work-related injury. Workers’ compensation systems may neglect mental health considerations in job descriptions because these diagnoses are not often part of an allowed claim. Environmental considerations in the workplace impacting individuals like noise, lighting, extreme temperatures, dust, and fumes help identify if an individual can perform the essential functions of a job. COVID has changed jobs and the work environment through social distancing, remote and hybrid work options. Out-dated and/or inaccurate job descriptions may be detrimental to the recruitment and retention of valued workers. Learn to develop an inclusive job description to increase worker recruitment and retention.  

2:45 p.m.  
Exploring the Data: Regional Workforce Trends in Kentucky
Scott Secamiglino, MPH, Visual Analytics and Strategy Director, Kentucky Center for Statistics

The Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), provides business leaders, economists, and policymakers with several tools that summarize the workforce ecosystem in the Commonwealth. During this interactive presentation, KYSTATS team members will illustrate how two of these tools, the Workforce Overview for Kentucky Regions and the Kentucky Workforce Dashboard, can be used to answer questions relating to workforce trends and demographics in the state’s 10 local workforce areas. We will delve into highlights of the data found in the reports, including regional outcomes in the following areas: adult education, local workforce programs, labor market health and demand, and workforce funding, as well as local labor force data, unemployment insurance claims, and employment and wage data by occupation.

3:30 p.m.     
Talent Shortages? Here is a Tool to Closing the Skills Gap
Naomi Sutton, Apprenticeship Workforce Consultant, Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet
Polly Marquette, Implementation Consultant, Win Learning

The skills required of today’s workforce are changing. In 2021, nearly seven in ten companies globally reported talent shortages and difficulties hiring, a 15-year high. There is no surprise that companies are struggling to fill roles. For employers, retraining employees to fill internal positions has become one solution. In fact, according to a World Economic Forum report, about 40% of the global workforce will need reskilling of up to six months by 2024. What kind of skills are employers looking for? According to a Boston Consulting Group and its 2022 report, “Shifting Skills, Moving Targets and Remaking the Workforce”, soft skills and digital literacy top the list. The report points out between 2016 and 2021, online ads mentioned soft and digital literacy skills as the top two skills employers were requesting across all job categories. Attend this session to learn how you can close the talent shortage gap for your organization.

4:00 p.m.      
Moving Your Business Forward Through Registered Apprenticeship, the Employer's Perspective
Michelle DeJohn, Executive Director, Kentucky Career Center
Don Adkins, VP of Safety and Training, Davis H. Elliott
Rebecca M. Barnes, Executive Director, IEC of the Bluegrass, Inc.
Amy Neal, Executive Director, Kentucky Governor's Office of Early Childhood

For businesses to grow and stay competitive, employee training and development must attract and retain talent. Registered Apprenticeship is backed by a national credential from the US Department of Labor and is the gold standard for recruiting, training and talent retention. In this session, DAVIS H. ELLIOT Company is committed to excellence in utility construction, technology services, and solutions and the Kentucky GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD is using Registered Apprenticeship to move the child care industry forward, will share how they lead a successful Registered Apprenticeship program to create tangible savings, drive innovation, and increase retention. Learn firsthand their best practices and walk away, bringing savings to your company by tapping into the opportunities available. Learn best practices and hear how a Registered Apprenticeship can directly affect productivity, diversity, and inclusion. Hear firsthand what the buzz is all about.

5:00 p.m.
Workforce Summit Day One Wrap-up
LaKisha Miller, Executive Director, Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center

8:00 a.m.     
Registration and Continental Breakfast with Sponsors and Exhibitors

8:30 a.m.     
Welcome
LaKisha Miller, Executive Director, Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center

8:35 a.m.     
Retention Strategies for a Rapidly Changing Workforce: What Employers Must do to Turn the Tide of the Great Resignation
Danny Nelms, CEO, The Work Institute

Employers have been significantly impacted by The Great Resignation as voluntary turnover is up almost 25% since 2018. If employers don’t address the underlying issues causing employees to leave, 2023 will bring more of the same. Work Institute conducts over 30,000 exit and stay interviews annually and provides unique insights into why employees are leaving or at-risk of leaving. Our data reveals clearly what employers must do to effectively retain employees, and those employers that chose not to adapt will likely see more turnover in the coming year. Attend this session to learn more about:
•    the employment market dynamics that have impacted the ability of organizations to attract and retain talent.
•    the REAL reasons employees leave organizations.
•    the top three things organizations should be doing now to improve employee retention.
•    the impact that managers/supervisors have on employee retention.

9:45 a.m.     
The Assessment Advantage: Five Vital Business Outcomes Positively Impacted by Hiring Assessments
Whitney Martin, Measurements Expert, ProActive Consultants

Accurate. Fair. Inclusive. Engaging. Efficacious. If you cannot use all five of these words to describe your selection process, this session is a must attend; because all five of these objectives should be non-negotiable. We will explore tangible, practical ways to leverage assessment instruments to create a highly aligned selection system that minimizes bias, increases prediction, enhances candidate experience, and has a quantifiable impact on the bottom line.

10:45 a.m.
Succession Planning in Organizations: Don’t Let Knowledge Walk Out the Door
Shelly Trent, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Career Coach, Your Career Coach Collaborator, LLC

In these times of a candidate's market, applicants are looking for employers who will make an investment in their growth and career plan. Succession planning is an effective tool for recruitment and retention, but many employers don't have one in place. Does your organization have a plan for developing and promoting key employees into higher-level positions? Do you know what you would do if your organization lost key leaders due to a catastrophe?  We will review the reasons why succession planning is important and will offer step-by-step information about how to implement a succession planning program. Learn how to create and implement a succession plan, why a succession plan can add value to your organization and the bottom line, and why succession planning is also knowledge management.

11:30 a.m.
Luncheon with Sponsors and Exhibitors

12:30 p.m.     
Employer Provided Innovation Challenges (EPIC)
Jason Tyszko, Vice President, Center for Education and Workforce, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

This session will introduce EPIC, a new initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. EPIC aspires to significantly scale high-quality work-based learning experiences through a national network of accredited clearinghouses that provide authentic, employer-led problem-based learning experiences. These experiences are designed to support career awareness, career exploration, and career advancement (i.e., reskilling and upskilling) for learners and workers. During this session you will learn about the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s plans for launching this initiative as well as how it can be implemented in Kentucky and integrated with Kentucky Talent Pipeline.

1:15 p.m.     
Create Long-term Solutions to Burnout
Kyla Cofer, Leadership Coach, Kyla Cofer Coaching & Consulting

The mark of a great leader is someone who takes ownership of their own life, while also bringing other people into a compelling story. When leaders get too busy to take care of themselves, not only do they personally suffer, but so does the story they’re trying to tell. This is when burnout, compassion fatigue, or just plain misery creep in. While it may feel impossible to maintain personal well-being while leading ambitiously, it's not. In this one-hour presentation, Kyla presents the three keys to well-being that she learned as a nonprofit board member, life coach, and parent. Using mind/body techniques, she engages audiences to explore their beliefs and create practices to sustain well-being for a lifetime.

2:00 p.m.     
Discovering Hidden Talent
Jeff Graf, Senior Retirement Plan Advisor, ARGI

We’ll discuss the following key components to discovering hidden talent in your organization:
•    How to understand the motivational factors within each generation and how they all work together.  
•    The Gig economy – how flexibility and autonomy drive a better work-life balance.
•    The importance of reskilling workers, leadership development and talent mobility.
•    Embracing technology, texting, and utilizing social media platforms.     

2:40 p.m.     
Talent Pipeline Management - Redefining the Workforce Landscape
LaKisha Miller, Executive Director, Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center

The Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Workforce Center was founded in 2017 to identify ways to build a thriving and strong workforce to meet the needs of Kentucky employers. Working shoulder to shoulder with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, the Workforce Center crafts workforce solutions that are both data-driven and employer-led. In partnership with the Education and Labor Cabinet, Talent Pipeline Management (TPM®) was created to understand how businesses, education, and other partners can work together to solve Kentucky’s workforce crisis. In the last five years, TPM® has helped to connect over 4,000 Kentuckians with job, training, and work-based learning opportunities. During this session, we will showcase the impact TPM® 's has had in our state, discuss some success stories and highlight how your company can get involved in this innovative approach to solving Kentucky's workforce challenges.

3:00 p.m.
8th Annual Kentucky Workforce Summit Adjourns