Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/548712
w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m A u g u s t 2 0 15 • I NSIGH T | 9 FROM THE EDITOR WE DON'T TYPICALLY PRESENT A THEME as we plan content for Insight and this issue is no exception. But as you page through the magazine you'll find a thread that weaves through many of the stories: Great jobs are going unfilled in the New North region and companies are expending a whole lot of energy to match talent with opportunities that exist right here. In some cases, the demand occurs in growing industries. Our cover story on Navitus, a pharmacy benefits management company serving more than 4.2 million individuals in 300 companies nationwide, shows how more than 300 positions have been filled at its Appleton call center since the company built a new building along Interstate 41 two years ago. More hiring is expected as the company builds a second building here this fall. When it comes to training workers for specific skills, our technical colleges are doing a remarkable job. In "A career quick start," page 10, Senior Associate Editor Sean Johnson reports that 92 percent of Wisconsin's technical college graduates land jobs within six months of graduation, and the majority remain in the Badger State. "ere is an incredible demand for workers with these skills," in high-demand jobs, says FVTC President Susan May. "e challenge we still face is keeping up with the demand." Regional employers fear the talent shortage will worsen as baby boomers retire: By 2021, more than 11,600 jobs are expected to go unfilled. Such is the case in manufacturing, accountable for nearly a quarter of all jobs in the region. In "Industry showcase," page 20, contributing writer Nikki Kallio describes how, among many offerings, the annual Manufacturing First Expo & Conference aims to help employers address the skills gap and woo young people to manufacturing careers. For the first time, Manufacturing First will span two days — Oct. 21 and 22 — at the newly expanded KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay. In another important regional industry, construction, just a few years ago the Great Recession and the burst of the housing boom resulted in mass layoffs. Today, the tables have turned and builders are having a tough time filling positions. Staff Writer Andrew Schaick describes the dilemma in "Filling the gap" (page 29). One in six builders surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders in 2014 said they experienced delays in completing projects on time; 18 percent turned down projects as a result of labor shortages. Sometimes, a need becomes so great that it results in a highly creative solution. e Medical College of Wisconsin responded to a report on the shortage of primary care and psychiatric physicians in Northeast Wisconsin by establishing a satellite center in Green Bay (See "Face Time with Dr. Matthew Hunsaker," page 17). Headquartered at St. Norbert College in De Pere and launched in July, the venture is a collaboration among several colleges, universities and hospitals. MCW is preparing 26 students to become doctors, and all were vetted for their desire to practice Northeast Wisconsin following their residency requirement. Part of the challenge in attracting talent to Northeast Wisconsin is educating people about our four seasons, high quality of life and opportunities in the creative economy. In "Talent Search" (page 32), hiring managers say cultivating a pool of interns and challenging them with rewarding work results in a network of young professionals who help keep the pipeline of recent graduates full. Tracy Presteen, human resources manager at Heartland Technology Group, Little Chute, says it best: "Northeast Wisconsin has great opportunities. We just need to make sure we show them." Many ways to train, woo talent