Oklahoma’s State Chamber needs the governor to nominate a workforce “czar” who can lead an aggressive push to seek out extra expert staff in nursing, educating, aerospace and dozens of different profession fields.
Chad Warmington, CEO of the State Chamber, stated his group has already pushed the concept with Gov. Kevin Stitt, who he stated was receptive.
Addressing workforce challenges is prime of thoughts for a number of state companies and departments, Warmington stated, however there’s not a unified statewide method.
“Nobody is really tasked with owning that. We don’t have a workforce czar, we don’t have somebody who is pulling them all together and trying to get them on the same page,” Warmington advised The Oklahoman. “Whose job is it going to be to highlight that and then to say to the Legislature we are going to fund these programs and we need to make sure we are getting these people together?”
More:Oklahoma House speaker: Tax cuts will probably be a ‘focus’ subsequent session
The pandemic, stagnant wages and inflation have considerably altered the nation’s workforce, resulting in employers in virtually each sector struggling to seek out sufficient staff.
The state’s getting old inhabitants, lack of childcare choices and poor well being metrics additionally have made it more durable to seek out staff, according to an analysis by the Oklahoma Policy Institute, a Tulsa-based suppose tank.
Recruiting companies requires the state to ’embrace and have a good time all individuals’
Workforce challenges have been spotlighted by state business leaders for years, but it surely was the highest concern on the State Chamber’s annual public affairs discussion board, which was held final week in Oklahoma City.
Speaking on the discussion board, House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, stated addressing workforce growth issues is a precedence for his caucus subsequent yr, though he didn’t supply any particulars.
But Democratic lawmakers advised the room filled with business leaders that attracting extra expert staff to the state required monetary investments in training, elevated social help and a political local weather that welcomes all individuals.
House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson stated the state’s abortion ban and makes an attempt to finish gender-affirming care made Oklahoma much less fascinating for healthcare staff.
Munson additionally stated tradition battle battles harm the state’s capability to draw all sorts of staff.
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“If we are going to ask CEOs to bring their business and employees to our state then we have to demonstrate the ability to embrace and celebrate all people,” stated Munson, D-Oklahoma City.
Like Munson, Sen. Kay Floyd, the Democratic chief of the state Senate, stated the state’s focus must be on enhancing social help insurance policies, reminiscent of paid household and medical depart, investing in public training and enhancing alternatives for previously incarcerated Oklahomans.
But she stated probably the greatest methods to handle the state’s labor challenges is to reverse the decade-long improve in emergency licensed academics, which reached a report excessive this yr.
“We have teachers leaving the state, we have teachers changing professions, we have teachers resigning, and we have teachers retiring. This is a workforce issue,” Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, stated on the discussion board.
New packages in movie and aviation including staff
The State Chamber discussion board additionally showcased methods new packages are serving to handle workforce challenges.
A partnership between Prairie Surf Studios, which operates a serious movie manufacturing facility in downtown Oklahoma City, and Oklahoma City Community College started this yr to draw and prepare extra staff for the state’s rising movie business, which wants staff who can construct units and function soundstages.
“Right now, Oklahoma’s film (industry) is on fire,” stated Matt Payne, co-owner of Prairie Surf Studios. “These exhibits are creating high-paying jobs and they’re actually altering lives.”
More:Oklahoma’s film and TV industry is bringing in millions of dollars and thousands of jobs
An aviation program launched at Norman Public Schools was also highlighted as a way to train future pilots.
Warmington, the State Chamber’s CEO, said these programs are working and need to be expanded.
The chamber plans to lobby for more state funding to go into programs that address workforce issues, an effort Warmington hopes will be led by a new gubernatorial-appointed leader.
“Oklahoma is just too nimble and too properly linked to not get coordinated on this stuff,” Warmington stated.
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