Workforce Summit planned for Nov. 7

Industry leaders will gather on November 7 at the Saline County Career and Technical Center for the second annual Workforce Best Practices Summit, hosted by Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas.

The event will focus on innovative solutions to the recruitment, retention, and workforce development challenges that face manufacturers today.

“Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions is proud to partner with the State Chamber/AIA to host this impactful event,” said Keith Gammill, Director of Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions. “From the beginning, our vision has been to create an experience where participants can gain valuable insights into cutting-edge strategies transforming the workforce landscape. By sharing best practices, we aim to inspire collaboration and drive sustainable growth for both businesses and employees.”

Matt Fieldman, executive director of America Works, will deliver the keynote address titled “Stop Complaining About Workforce! Start Owning It!” America Works is a national initiative that coordinates training efforts across the manufacturing industry to build a more capable and skilled workforce.

Fieldman, author of the Manufacturing Innovation blog, has extensive experience working with manufacturers to address skills gaps, recruitment strategies, retention practices, and how to utilize untapped populations.

“We are excited to work alongside Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions once again this year to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our industry today,” said Trish Villines, Executive Director for the Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence and a coordinator of this event. “Manufacturing is a vital sector in Arkansas, accounting for nearly 163,000 jobs. This summit is a unique opportunity to bring together manufacturers and workforce leaders and share practical solutions, exchange innovative strategies, and ensure that Arkansas companies have the tools they need to remain competitive.”

Other agenda highlights include:

• Leveraging State Resources: Cody Waits, Director of Workforce Connections, will discuss how manufacturers can tap into state resources to enhance workforce development.
• The Power of Real – Time Feedback: Blant Hurt, Plant Manager at SMA, will share how continuous feedback loops can improve employee engagement and retention.
• Manufacturer Panel – The Good & The Bad of Workforce Strategies: Representatives from Ring Container Technologies, Lexicon and other manufacturers will discuss what has worked, what hasn’t, and the future of workforce strategies.
• Navigating Workforce Challenges in Rural Communities: Faith Elliott and Della Wooley will explore specific challenges rural manufacturers face and how to overcome them.
• Untapped Populations Panel: This discussion will focus on integrating re-entry workers and military personnel into the workforce, highlighting their value as underutilized resources.

Register at this link.