QC leaders flip talent challenge into a regional opportunity

The Quad Cities Chamber asked tenured leaders from across the QC to step up and make a commitment to be part of the solution to the talent shortage, as individuals and for the region. Only collectively will we reach the goal of growing our population to 500,000 by 2030.

During the most recent Business Forum: Growing Our Region, participants had a frank discussion about talent attraction and retention, and participated in table discussions to share best practices, develop ideas and discuss solutions on how to grow the QC workforce. Each person committed to putting at least one of those into play within their business or in our community.

Quad Cities Chamber Interim CEO Mike Oberhaus explained that the number of immigrants coming into the country has dropped significantly since 2017 and attracting talent from outside the U.S. is one opportunity to address QC workforce needs. He also outlined demographic challenges, including the decline in U.S. birth rates and a sharp increase in Baby Boomer retirements.

The statistics were not encouraging. “We've identified a significant issue and you can't solve a problem unless you've identified that problem,” said Joe Slavens, President & CEO, Northwest Bank & Trust Company. “But one thing I heard today is that there are success stories out there and what we have to do is figure out where we are having success, learn from it and then replicate it.”

Slavens said he is committed to ensuring his company is serving its current workforce well. “The people that we have in our organization are important and you know, it really starts with retention. If your workforce is leaking out the sides, you are creating a bigger problem for yourself in terms of talent attraction. You really want to shore up the people you have in the organization and make sure you are serving them.”

Randy Moore, President, Iowa American Water Co., said he was excited by the discussion. “Everyone is struggling with similar issues and now we know what kind of options are available to us,” he said, adding he’s committed to reaching out to talent in venues the company hasn’t before.

“If I want to attract minorities, I need to go to minority organizations. Typically, we're advertising our jobs in the newspaper, and posting to our website and Facebook page. But if I want to be specific about what I want, I've got to be specific about where I go to find it. That whole mindset is something that I've gleaned from today and it is important,” he said.

Beth Tinsman, President, Twin State Technical Services, said to retain talent employers must support their goals in words and action, which is the commitment she made. “We will be emphasizing the opportunities to grow at Twin States Technical and making sure we continue to articulate that vision and how it will be enacted through training, guidance and mentorship. It is about helping talent envision that path to a successful career and life in this wonderful community,” she said.

Other attraction and retention strategies included: promoting the diversity that lives and thrives here, keeping the QC connection alive by staying in touch with young talent who move away after college, customizing recruitment strategies, committing to inclusivity and implementing career-sponsored educational and advancement opportunities.

Many of the participants believe all Quad Citizens could do more to sell the region to prospective employees and residents. “One thing we don’t do very well is pat ourselves on the back. There are a lot of good things that happen here and so many opportunities, but we don’t share those with people who live outside the area. We have to start patting ourselves on the back more publicly and sharing with others,” Moore said.

Tinsman said a lot of people are working together to solve this challenge in a structured way. “Attracting and retaining people in our region requires collective effort, and that is one of the strengths of the QC,” she said.

“Today’s event really shows the value of the Chamber. Talent attraction and retention is a nationwide problem. The Chamber saw it as an opportunity for our region,” Slavens said. “It created a space to bring members of its community together to problem solve together and figure out how we can then individually and collectively solve this problem. It is a real statement about the kind of work that the Chamber does for the Quad Cities.”