South Shore Business Walk March 15-16 to survey employer needs

Volunteers will be canvassing the community from Meyers to Round Hill this week to assess the employment needs of local businesses including their current employment situation, determine future needs, and ensure Tahoe can attract and retain talented workers for a variety of occupations.

Between 2003 and 2013, Lake Tahoe experienced a steady decline in jobs, with 5,500 jobs lost. Since then, there are several factors affecting the prosperity and sustainability of both the current and future workforce and economy.

According to the Tahoe Prosperity Center’s Measuring for Prosperity report, the decade long deterioration of employment occurred primarily in the tourism sectors of accommodations, food, and recreation representing more than 80 percent of total job loss in the Tahoe Basin. Recuperating from this loss, as well as work readiness and advancement opportunities are just some of the issues facing the global and local workforce.

“Employers on the South Shore have shared that it’s difficult to find trained talent,” said B Gorman, president and CEO of Tahoe Chamber. “This can be seen by the number of organizations that advertise nationally, as well as some who even travel to foreign countries to recruit talent. As the boomers retire and Reno/Sparks generates more than 50,000 new jobs, are concerned with understanding all relevant factors in planning for the next decade.”

The Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Tahoe Prosperity Center, El Dorado County and Lake Tahoe Adult Education Consortium, will hold the second South Shore Business Walk, March 15-16. 100 volunteers will be asking business owners about the personnel and infrastructure issues they experience in the community.

Volunteers will conduct business to business visits throughout the South Shore on Tuesday, March 15, 12:30 - 5 p.m. and Wednesday, March 16, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Employers should anticipate 15 minutes for the discussion.

The information collected from these surveys will be used to develop strategies to create a workforce that is trained to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s employers. The LTCC Adult Education Consortium will use the data to begin planning courses and curriculum related to industry needs in the region. Volunteers will use the Quick Tap app during information collection so that data will be efficiently pulled from smart phones for streamlined reporting and seamless transition to data analysis.

Community-minded volunteers are still needed to participate in the Business Walk. Individuals may commit their time for one or both days. In pairs of two, volunteers will be assigned neighborhoods where they’ll visit businesses. The event orientation will provide all the information participants need to feel welcome, knowledgeable and ready to make a difference. Orientation will take place in the Aspen Board Room at Lake Tahoe Community College and includes refreshments both days.

Register to walk at www.tahoechamber.org. For more information: 775-588-1728 ext. 301, bgorman@tahoechamber.org.