Dislocated & Discouraged: What One WDB is Doing to Support its Professional Unemployed Workers
2008 The Year Everything Changed for Charlotte
Why divert limit resources toward professionals? Business Attraction High paying jobs supports others Needed help
Is the Professional Different? High Expectations of service Low expectations of government They know how government operates Highly educated and experienced
Why not just send them to a JobLink? Social services feeling Lack of peers Lack of services
ProNet was born… We needed a new brand Services delivered in “familiar” setting Relevant programs and services Ownership… we needed stockholders!
So what do Professionals Need? We asked them: We created advisory groups of users, recruiters/employers and alumni (the recently employed) Market Intelligence Branding Accountability Networking
Market Intelligence What are the jobs or industries of the future? When will the economy improve? Taking raw economic data and turning it into market intelligence
Branding What “Value” you bring an employer Social Media The Resume The elevator speech
Accountability The Job Team Weekly meetings Share leads Member accountability
Networking How? Peer to Peer Employers Community organizations
Other Services Interview workshops How to negotiate salary and benefits Office space – a place to go! Resources for ProNet Alumni
What Makes ProNet Successful? Business Community Involvement Volunteers Use of technology Passionate Staff
What’s Next? Growing social media and awareness Online training Innovative new programs
Contact Information Steve Partridge Managing Director Charlotte Regional Economic & Workforce Recovery Initiative