Western Insights: Attracting a Workforce in Demand

Unemployment graphic with a for hire sign

WHEN
Friday, June 11, 2021
10:00-11:00 a.m. (Pacific Daylight Time)

LOCATION
Online
Zoom

PRICE
Free


 

Check out this video to watch the Search Western Insights - Attracting the workforce you want (and need).

Brought to you by the College of Business and Economics in partnership with the WWU Alumni Association

Currently there are some 8 million fewer people employed in the US than before COVID. Some data is reporting 3 open jobs for every current job seeker. What is going on in the labor market and how are employers supposed to find the employees they need?

The reality is – there is no single cause or effect in the labor market as we emerge post-COVID. It is just not that simple. The labor market is changing at the same time as the employer market is changing. Employers are looking for specific skills and employees are looking for specific attributes (hours, shifts, location, benefits, and more). It gets complicated quickly.

But we do know a lot about what is going on. There is rich data and great models that provide what the path looks like, but it does not mean it is easy – for anyone.

In this edition of Western Insights join our panel of experts as they explore what we know, where we seem to be headed and share real world experiences from the perspective of a regional employer. It will be fun, it will be interesting and it will delve into the complicated relationships between all of it.

We invite you to join Western Insights in a discussion with:

  • Jonathan Cox, Data Analyst, Chmura Economics & Analytics
  • Jon Jenks-Bauer, Director of Recruiting, BECU
  • Hart Hodges, Ph.D., Professor of Economics & Board Member of the Northwest Workforce Development Board


This session will be moderated by:

  • Dennis Dashiell, Organizational and Talent Development, Western Washington University


Western Insights is an online panel series created to provide the broader region, Western alumni, friends, and students with access to information on current events drawing from the University’s nationally respected experts. This free series is offered entirely online and is open to everyone.

Watch previous Western Insight sessions online at https://alumni.wwu.edu/past-events.

Jonathan Cox

Jonathan Cox

Panelist

Jonathan is currently a Data Analyst with Chmura Economics & Analytics. Before joining Chmura, he worked as a Public Policy & Economics Fellow for the Cuyahoga County Dept. of Development in Cleveland, OH. He holds a Bachelors degree in Business Economics and Public Policy from Brown University and a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin. When he is not busy mining data for key insights, he enjoys a nice game of chess and playing the trombone. 

Jon Jenks-Bauer

Jon Jenks-Bauer

Panelist

Jon Jenks-Bauer is the Director of Recruiting for BECU, the nation’s largest community Credit Union. Jon and his team execute hires for all of BECU’s 50+ locations annually.  Prior to BECU, Jon lead recruitment for RealNetworks, a global media software company, as well as holding recruitment and talent program management roles with Swedish and JP Morgan Chase. He also acted as a Workforce Development Manager in higher education; built a regional sourcing program for one of the nation’s largest contingent staffing companies; and as the Deputy Political Director for a U.S. Senator.  Jon is co-chair of the career advisory board at Western Washington University and volunteers with other non-profit organizations. In his free time, Jon is an automotive enthusiast; enjoys gardening, cooking, sailing, and live music; and traveling with his husband, Chris (17 countries and counting).

Hart Hodges

Hart Hodges

Panelist

Dr. Hart Hodges is Co-Director of Western's Center for Economic and Business Research. He received his Ph.D. in Economics in 1994 from the University of Washington. He joined the faculty at Western in the Fall of 2000. His research interests include natural resource and environmental economics, health economics, and applied business economics. Hart is currently managing several research projects and public service efforts with an emphasis on economic development.

Dennis Dashiell

Dennis Dashiell

Moderator

Dennis Dashiell, MSW, LICSW, Organizational and Talent Development, Executive Coaching & Training. Mr. Dashiell is the head of Organizational and Talent Development for Western Washington University.  Additionally, he does private consulting, executive coaching, training and keynote speaking through is company Northwest Professional Development.  Having spent two decades as a mental health and employee assistance professional, Dennis has experienced the intimate inside workings of hundreds of organizations in the pacific northwest. 

Questions and Accommodations

Contact James McCafferty for this event. Feel free to email at James.McCafferty@wwu.edu or call (360) 650-2414 if you have any questions or comments.
 
There will be auto-captions available for this event. To request closed captions, please mark the request on the registration form. Advance notice of three days to one week is appreciated.