Is there a shortage of workers because the workforce is smaller, or are there so many job openings in our region that our current workforce can’t keep up with the demand? Yesterday we were joined by Christina Lock, Founder and CEO of Catch Talent, and Jacki Renegar, Director of Research & Business Intelligence with the Charleston Center for Business Research, in a conversation moderate by our own Senior VP of Talent Advancement, Barbara Stapleton, to have these questions answered and more!

Here are a few takeaways:

• Charleston Metro area civilian labor force is trending positive coming out of the pandemic compared to national average.
• Factors impacting workforce availability include record new business formations, increase in retirements and rise of remote work.
• Ways companies are addressing retention and hiring challenges:
  1. Bonuses
  2. Advertising salary in job descriptions
  3. Offering remote and work from home options
  4. Embracing recruitment beyond traditional demographics
  5. Increased opportunities for training and professional development
• Employer brand execution is pertinent to getting in the faces of candidates
• What tangible and intangible qualities are valued by employees and candidates