Talent Magnet

Sytease Geib, former co-host of Talent Magnet and VP of Workforce Development at the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, joins the program to discuss creative ways to retain talent, and the changing nature of work. Sytease discusses her own journey of moving across the country after the birth of her second child, how she has continued to do some remote project based work, and shares takeaways from her experience.

In this episode, you'll hear how Sierra Pacific Industries, the 2nd largest lumber producer in the U.S., is using innovative technology to capture the attention of a new generation of job seekers at hiring events. Jacquelin Earley and Joshua Zepeda from Sierra Pacific Industries join the program to discuss how they are using virtual reality (VR) headsets to give job seekers a peek into their high tech facilities.

E22: Recruiting and Retaining Primary Care Physicians- Challenges and Opportunities

With more job openings than people available to fill them, how do we create a pipeline of skilled workers? In this episode, you'll learn about career-connected learning and what Washington State is doing to ensure that the education system puts students on a pathway to careers. Maud Daudon, who is leading the creation of a 10-year vision and strategic plan for building a statewide career-connected learning and apprenticeship system in Washington State, is the featured guest. 

E20: Second Chance Employment- Hiring 1/3 of the U.S. Population

Teri Pablo, CTE/Communications Director for Yelm Community Schools in Washington State and Susan Larson, Career Technical Education Teacher at Black Hills High School in the Tumwater School District, join the program to discuss the importance of Career and Technical Education for the emerging workforce. To learn more, visit: www.ycs.wednet.edu/cte

E18: Work Ex- A New Opportunity To Recruit Transitioning Military Members and Their Spouses

E17: Chapter Next & Lockheed Martin

This episode features Christina Chesnut, Business Services Coordinator for WorkSource Thurston and Lewis Counties, as she discusses the importance of connecting youth to careers. Discover how Business2Youth Connect helps students find work integrated learning opportunities in the community that fit within their career interests. For more info, visit:  http://thurstonchamber.com/business-2-youth-connect/

Megan Fiess, Thurston County Chamber of Commerce Workforce Division Project Manager, joins the program to discuss the role that business can play in helping opportunity populations, rural communities and youth to get ahead in their careers, and the benefits that unlocking hidden talent can provide to employers. Megan shares her own story of becoming homeless at 15 years old, and how an employer gave her an opportunity that helped her become financially stable and further her education. 

This episode features an interview with Geoff Lawrence, Account Executive at Impact Washington, and Robert Bishop President, SATECH, Inc. as they discuss the importance of upskilling staff through training and share tips and takeaways from their experiences. Discover the Future of Work program and the impact that upskilling  staff can have on an organization.  To learn more, visit  https://impactwashington.org/ www.smartcellsusa.com

Trenton Fluetsch, Service Manager from Sunset Air, joins the program to discuss how his company uses pre-apprenticeship programs as an innovative recruitment strategy in a tight labor market.  To learn more about Sunset Air, visit https://www.sunsetair.com/     

Nick Curry, Senior Program Manager at Amazon Web Services, joins the program to discuss Amazon's military recruiting intiatives. Discover tips and takeaways for recruiting and retaining transitioning service members and their spouses.   To learn more, visit:  https://www.amazon.jobs/en/landing_pages/mil-apprentice

Rozanne Garman, President & CEO of RHD Enterprises, joins the program to discuss tips and insights for maintaining a strong company culture in a growing business.  To learn more about RHD Enterprises, visit www.rhdenterprises.com

Reid Bates, Owner of Express Employment Professionals offices in Olympia, Centralia and Aberdeen, Washington, joins the program to discuss the Thurston County Chamber's 9th annual "Boss of The Year" Award. Reid, a co-founder of the award, shares how the initiative got started and why it has continued. To learn more about Express Employment Professionals, visit: www.express-olympia.com