What are the workforce needs in Minnesota’s financial services sector? \; Share your views

As a member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce\, we encourage you to participate in an important “Workforce Assessment” initiative to address the state’s growing skills gap in the Financial Services industry. \; The Workforce Assessments will engage employers in developing precise projections for how many workers and professionals\, with what kinds of skills\, will be needed in our area\, for what kinds of jobs. \;

Workforce development is a major priority for Minnesota Chamber members and your input is critical in this process. \; The listening sessions throughout the state are planned with Minnesota employers to gain a better understanding of their current and future workforce needs in the following areas:

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Accounting and Bookkeeping

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Finance

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Financial Support Services

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Financial Planning

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Taxation

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Insurance

The data gathered from the sessions will be used by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to align their certificates and degrees\, worker retraining and customized training programs with the needs of Minnesota’s businesses\, industries and communities.

To register for one or more of the meetings listed below\, go to http://mnworkforceneeds.eventbrite.com. \; There is no cost to attend a meeting. \; Advanced registration is required. \; \; \; Contact Jennifer Byers\, vice president\, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce at 651-292-4673 or jbyers@mnchamber.com with any questions.

Locations:

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; November 8^th at 8:00 am - Kern DeWenter Viere\, Ltd (KDV)\, St. Cloud

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; November 9^th at 8:30 am – Baker Tilly Virchow Krause\, LLP\, Minneapolis

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; November 16^th at 8:30 am – ING Direct\, St. Cloud

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; November 16^th at 2:30 pm – US Bank\, Minneapolis

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; November 29 at 11:00 a.m. CliftonLarsonAllen\, Mankato

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; December 3^rd at 9:30 am – Securian\, St. Paul

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; December 12 at 10:30 a.m. - \;McGladrey\, Rochester

At the sessions\, employers will be asked to respond to a series of questions focused on key occupations in their industry in the following categories:

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Workforce Supply/Demand: What are your current and future hiring challenges? \; Where do most of your workers come from today? \; What does the future of your workforce look like – what types of jobs will you need to fill and timeframe for filling these positions? \; What is your estimate for how many positions you may need to fill?

· \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; Workforce Skills: What qualities/skills are you currently looking for (or will be looking for in the future) but not finding in your workers? \; What skills/abilities would you like to see in individuals entering the workforce that you are not seeing today? \; What changes or trends will affect your industry over the next 2-5 years? \; What are the implications of these trends for your workforce requirements? \; What skills or credentials (e.g.\, technical skills\, “soft” skills\, leadership skills\, languages\, etc.) do you expect to be looking for in the next two years? \;