Industry experts meeting to help unemployed get back to work
Hamilton County has created a Workforce Recovery Task Force. The Task Force held its first meeting Wednesday in an effort to jumpstart a recovery plan for Hamilton County businesses. The effort is being supported by the Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation (HCEDC).
Heirbrandt
“First and foremost, we need to identify how COVID-19 has impacted the county workforce and create a timeline for recovery,” said County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt. “That starts by tapping the best business minds and industry experts in our county to create measurable goals and objectives.”
The task force will consist of the following business professionals: Bob DuBois, President and CEO of the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce; Jack Russell, Interim President of OneZone Commerce; Nick Verhoff, President of the Westfield Chamber of Commerce; County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt, County Councilor Amy Massillamany; Dan Clark, President of Ivy Tech Noblesville; Carol Sergi, Director of Workforce Strategy at HCEDC; Chuck Haberman, workforce consultant; Rob Kneberg, Executive Director of Hamilton County Workforce Innovation Network; Ed Miller, Work One; and Angela Acrey, VP of Human Resources at Helmer Scientific.
The task force will look at creating both short-term (three months) and long-term (six to nine months) plans for reducing unemployment. It will also work to identify industries and companies that have additional workforce needs tied to COVID-19.
“The task force may also apply for grant dollars,” says HCEDC Executive Director Carol Sergi. “Those dollars could be used to cover the costs of training programs, potential job fairs, and supplies to help businesses reopen.”
The hope is that the county’s 21st Century Talent Region can take over the task force’s efforts by October 2020.