Yakima, WA. – October 29, 2024– The Yakima Convention Center buzzed with energy as South Central Workforce, in collaboration with the Yakima County Development Association (YCDA), Yakima SHRM, and the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, presented the second annual Yakima Workforce Conference: Untapped Talent. The half-day event drew professionals, employers, educators, and community leaders eager to explore ways to address workforce challenges and embrace untapped talent pools.
This year’s conference theme, Untapped Talent, focused on expanding our workforce by hiring from underutilized groups such as mature workers and justice-involved individuals, as well as adopting skills-based hiring approaches. The topics struck a chord with attendees, reflecting the shared need to address talent shortages in our region.
The conference highlighted four speakers who brought national perspectives and actionable insights.
- Joshua La Fon, Lightcast – As a representative of a global leader in labor market analytics, La Fon shared data-driven insights on labor trends and the types of skills needed to meet future demands. Lightcast’s clients include the U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, and Commerce, making La Fon’s analysis invaluable for understanding shifts in the workforce.
- Julie Orchard, Providence – Orchard looked inside the healthcare sector, discussing how Providence, a multi-state healthcare provider, is adapting its hiring practices. She highlighted the value of skills-based hiring in healthcare and its potential to meet rising demands for skilled medical professionals.
- Cathleen MacCaul, AARP Washington- Representing AARP, MacCaul shared practical approaches to integrating mature workers, emphasizing that this experienced demographic brings stability and deep knowledge to the workplace. Her insights showed that hiring mature workers can be a strategic asset in sectors facing talent shortages.
- Ty Reed, Recovery Career Services- Reed’s talk resonated deeply, he addressed the challenges and benefits of hiring individuals recovering from addiction or past criminal justice involvement. His organization, Recovery Career Services, focuses on helping people rebuild careers, and Reed offered attendees guidance on creating inclusive hiring practices to support long-term employment for justice-involved individuals.
The event underscored the strength of county-wide collaboration, the importance of workforce development, and building a strong local economy that benefits businesses and residents alike. Partnering with organizations like South Central Workforce, Yakima SHRM, and the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce demonstrates the shared commitment to equipping businesses with the tools to thrive in a changing world.
For those who couldn’t attend or want to revisit key insights, presentations from the speakers are available below:
