Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/608904
w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m D e c e m b e r 2 0 15 • I NSIGH T | 11 campus," Vasquez says. "But as we know, you oentimes cannot get a feel for a community at a job fair, like you can through Talent Upload." Business approval Besides the time employers spend working with and speaking to the students, they also invest in the cost of running the program. Talent Upload is underwritten by the companies that are engaging with the students while they are here. Appleton Coated, which manufactures coated, uncoated and specialty papers, was a part of the recent Talent Upload event. Company CEO Doug Osterberg says this is a difficult time for employers who are trying to hire employees to fill new and vacant positions. "Unemployment rates are down low enough where it's become very difficult to find good talent and that is at all levels from the manufacturing floor through the professional ranks," Osterberg says. "We have needs for all of these kinds of students and I think Talent Upload is a great idea to bring in that kind of talent from outside the area. We want to introduce them to the good things about the Fox Valley and the job opportunities to retain them long term." Besides attracting the four-year college students, Osterberg says there is potential for the Talent Upload program to attract students and potential employees of other educational platforms. "We also need to do this sort of program for those who are not going through a four-year college," Osterberg says. "ere are a lot of opportunities available here and we need to offer this sort of program at those levels as well to ensure everyone is aware of the potential opportunities." On the road to success Not only is the program receiving local attention for its efforts, the Fox Cities Regional Partnership was honored by the International Economic Development Council for the program, receiving the Best in Show for Excellence in Economic Development Award. e award recognizes the world's best economic development programs and partnerships for efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban and rural communities. Even though the award was given to the partnership, Vasquez says it wouldn't be possible without the help of the companies that sponsor and participate in the event. "is was a huge honor for the organization, to win the award," Vasquez says. "But it was also for the companies that are supporting the initiative in our community." Even though the program is still in the early stages of development, organizers are looking towards the future and analyzing the full potential this program has to offer. "We are very excited with the direction this program is going," Vasquez says. "We have a lot of good encouragement and feedback from our employers and hopefully this can grow into something even bigger that can potentially address different industries also." "We are trying to market the Fox Cities as not only a great place with lots of career opportunities, but also as a great place to live and play, which is very important for the younger demographic." – M a n ny Va s q u ez , v i ce p re s i d e nt, Fox Ci t i e s R e g i o n a l Pa r t n e r s h i p