WORK! HAMILTON COUNTY, IN TO FOCUS ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

CARMEL, Ind. (April 19, 2016) – A new economic development collaborative that will aid Hamilton County’s business growth by working to understand and support the staffing needs of local employers and identify strategies for workforce development was announced today.

A survey released April 19 by the new Work! Hamilton County, IN initiative indicates 59 percent of Hamilton County’s employers plan to expand their workforce through 2019, and another 52 percent are challenged to fill existing vacancies. Already, more than half face shortages of candidates for entry-level and midlevel candidates.

The study was commissioned by the countywide group represented by chambers of commerce, economic development, leadership, community and tourism development professionals and conducted by the Hamilton County Business Intelligence Center. The Center is a collaboration between Hamilton County Economic Development and Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. and maintains and seeks data to support all areas of economic and community development. More than 135 employers completed the survey, representing almost 16,000 jobs in the county.

The initiative, announced April 19 at the All-County Economic Development Luncheon at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, Indiana, is the beginning of a multiphase effort. The luncheon is a partnership of Noblesville Chamber of Commerce, Northern Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce, OneZone Chamber of Commerce and Westfield Chamber of Commerce.

Study teams will examine all areas of workforce development and identify private-public partnerships to address companies workforce needs by the end of 2016 for implementation beginning in 2017.

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Work! Hamilton County, IN Study Group Partners:

Carmel Economic Development

Center for the Performing Arts Carmel

Duke Energy

Fishers Economic Development

Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation

Hamilton County Leadership Academy

Hamilton County Tourism

Legacy Fund of Hamilton County

Noblesville Chamber of Commerce

Noblesville Economic Development

Noblesville Innovation Center

Northern Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce

OneZone Commerce

Westfield Chamber of Commerce

Westfield Economic Development