Info For:
Info For:

Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

Driving Economic Transformation

SOVA Task Force Offers Workforce Solutions

Categories

SOVA Task Force Offers Workforce Solutions

SOVA Task Force Offers Workforce Solutions

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.

The SOVA Task Force webinars are part of the GO Virginia Region 3 Bridge to Recovery Grant. Regional employers like Axxor have adapted to the impact of COVID while continuing safe operations.

Dr. Brown Graduates from Lead Virginia

Dr. Brown Graduates from Lead Virginia

Dr. Julie Brown, Director of IALR’s Advanced Learning department, has graduated from Lead Virginia, the Commonwealth’s esteemed leadership networking and development program. About  50 successful candidates are selected each year to participate in the program after completing a competitive application process.

In regard to her accomplishment, Dr. Brown said, “Lead Virginia was a tremendous opportunity to learn about the issues that regions across the Commonwealth are working to address and to share perspectives on solutions. I feel privileged to have had the experience and am grateful for the opportunity to share the myriad of good things happening in Southern Virginia.”

Dr. Julie Brown became IALR’s Director of Advanced Learning in 2013. She has significant experience in federal grant reporting, program development and fiscal accountability, and currently provides management services to the Dan River Region Collaborative, a regional partnership dedicated to addressing workforce needs while moving employees to high-skill, high-wage situations. Dr. Brown serves on many boards, including her appointment by Governor Ralph Northam to the Virginia Workforce Board.

According to their website, “Lead Virginia is a statewide leadership program that gives a select group of professionals that rare opportunity to surround themselves with the Commonwealth’s most experienced and talented leaders – building a resource of social capital.” Each session connects participants with some of the top leadership of each region of Virginia to explore major issues and opportunities facing the state. Alumni are invited to continue their connection and engagement with session peers and program contacts as a valuable resource for collaborative solutions to benefit their communities, professions and the Commonwealth.