Workforce Development Council Presents Final Report
Pierre, SD – The Pierre / Fort Pierre Workforce Development Council presented its findings to the Pierre City Commission Tuesday night.
Kim Olson, who facilitated the Council’s work and presented on behalf of the full council, outlined 18 different recommendations developed by the group. The recommendations fell into three specific categories –education, housing, and recruitment and retention.
“It’s very difficult to wrap your arms around workforce development,” said Olson. “So early on, we decided to focus our efforts on educational, housing and recruitment and retention related solutions.”
Among the solutions outlined by Olson were development of a unique local post-secondary education program, implementation of soft-skill training opportunities, housing redevelopment, and completion of a wage study.
Pierre Mayor Laurie Gill thanked the council for its work saying that she was very encouraged by the recommendations and hoped to find partners who are willing to be champions for the efforts.
“These solutions are bigger than the workforce development council. They’re bigger than city government. They’re bigger than the school district. They’re going to need real commitment from the entire community to affect change,” said Gill. “If you are passionate about any of the ideas discussed tonight, I encourage you to get involved in the discussion.”
Mayor Gill pledged to continue the conversation at the commission level.
The Workforce Development Council officially wraps up its work next week when the final report is presented to the Fort Pierre City Council.
The Workforce Development Council began meeting in August 2015. It includes a cross-sector of about 30 government, quasi-government, and private industry stakeholders tasked with recommending solutions to the local workforce shortage.
The final report can be viewed online at cityofpierre.org.
-30-