LunchVox LIVE Focuses on Next-Gen Workforce’s Current and Future Impact in Local Economy

On March 25th, 2022, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce brought together local leaders for a look at how next-gen professionals (Millennials and Gen Z) are managing, leading, and driving change in their organizations.

Henry Fields, Workforce Analyst serving Lane and Douglas counties with the Oregon Employment Department, set the table for the program by giving insight into the economy and culture in which emerging professionals cut their teeth. These next-gen professionals make up a large share of the current workforce. In fact, Millennials now make up the largest generational cohort in the workforce today, and many are moving into leadership roles within organizations. Forward thinking organizations are already adjusting their training, mentoring, and culture to that each of these upcoming generations value most, encouraging engagement that leads to loyalty.

With this in mind, Fields a facilitated panel discussion of local businesses who have found success in recruiting next-gen talent. Karen Lyons – Oakmont Family Dental, Ryan Williams – 9Wood, and Mark Harrington – Chambers Construction all brought their expertise in recruiting, HR, and marketing to share what has worked, and what hasn’t, when engaging a younger workforce.

Opportunities for training and advancement are key to the culture shift next generation professionals are bringing to our local workforce, and our panel was asked,

“How do you provide training and development for your employees?”

Lyons of Oakmont Family Dental shared that she sees this as a real gap in the business community and a way to retain and engage their employees. Oakmont offers classes for staff that to help them succeed outside of the office as well, like on personal finance. Williams mentioned that 9Wood not only trains for specific roles, but encourages continuing education and that drafting and engineer staff can get classes paid for by the company. While Harrington explained that Chambers Construction has invested heavily their onsite training facility to provide the best possible setting for both employees and apprentices.

Other than training, what else had our panel learned is important to the up and coming generations while on the job?

To Lyons, it was fostering a team culture where all employees feel heard that stood out. She mentioned that they are able to lean into their size as a small business, leveraging the fact that individuals get to know and work with the leaders of the company.

Williams was quick to mention that for 9Wood, flexibility was a key. Besides flexible PTO and a relaxed dress code, Williams noted that remote work is here to stay. 80-85% of 9Wood office staff is now remote, with some even working in other states.

Harrington closed this section by noting that having a clear picture of career advancement was important to younger employees joining their team. With a high retirement rate in the construction industry, opportunity is clear and the path should be as well. In light of this, Chambers Construction is never done tweaking and changing their training programs to stay on the cutting edge.

One thing all three panelists agreed on – setting a positive, communicative environment made for a better workplace for all generations.