The SOVA Task Force offered a Workforce Solutions weekly webinar series in May as an extension of the Bridge to Recovery Grant provided by GO Virginia Region 3. The series provided employers with resources and best practices regarding today’s workforce.

“Amid all the pressures facing our businesses in the wake of COVID, solutions for workforce-related issues are repeatedly sought,” said Linda Green, Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA). “Therefore, we convened experts and resources to assist with these Human Resources needs.”

The Workforce Solutions webinar series addressed Childcare, Afterschool Care and Elder Care; Recruiting and Onboarding Employees; Trainings, Apprenticeships, Internships and Re-entry Programs; Higher Education, Skill Sets, Certifications and Recertifications; and Retention, Promotion and Advancement.

During one webinar, Steve Youll of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Talent Attraction Program shared how talent attraction has evolved with increased expectations by candidates. He said “72% of job seekers report sharing negative candidate experiences online” and “55% of candidates will avoid certain companies after reading negative online reviews.”

Moderators included workforce experts Dr. Julie Brown of IALR and Robbie Knight of Virginia Career Works-West Piedmont. The series was originated, organized and marketed by the SOVA COVID-19 Task Force, which is managed by the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance.

Recordings are available at svra.org under COVID-19 Economic Resources. In the future, similar programs will be provided in the eastern part of the GO Virginia Region 3 service area.