The future of workforce development is at the heart of economic growth, and chambers of commerce and economic development organizations (EDOs) are playing a central role in shaping it. In a recent webinar hosted by Getro, leaders from across the U.S. shared how they are tackling the challenges of connecting people to jobs, navigating talent shortages, and using data and technology to build stronger communities.
The panel featured:
Moderated by Laura Marks, Senior Customer Success Manager at Getro.
All three leaders emphasized the urgent challenge of aligning available jobs with the right talent.
“We are a traditional manufacturing town,” said Jeff Schaaf. “But with our location at the intersection of major highways, we’ve seen a huge growth in transportation and logistics. The biggest challenge is finding people with the right skills to fill those jobs, without poaching talent from other local employers.”
For Brianna Mosier, the issue is layered: “On the surface, we have employers who are really eager to hire. But because of our stagnant population growth and low unemployment, the people just aren’t there.” She added that degree mismatches are a barrier: “What you major in matters. Too often we see students pursuing degrees that don’t connect with the opportunities in our region.”
Justin Stewart echoed these concerns, highlighting the rise of “noise” in the job market: “There’s a lot of uncertainty. Sometimes job postings online aren’t even real. That’s why having a trusted, curated job network is so valuable for job seekers.”
Each region is leaning heavily on data to guide decisions and build credibility.
“At Flint & Genesee, data drives everything we do,” said Mosier. “We launched Forward Together Genesee to set measurable goals for job growth, education, livability, and equity. If benchmarks aren’t being met, we stop and ask why.”
Similarly, Schaaf noted that data-informed strategies helped his chamber identify four focus areas: transportation and logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, and corporate back office. “Many of the programs we’ve created with partners came out of that talent alignment study. The data gave us a roadmap, but validation from employers ensures it matches what’s really happening on the ground.”
When asked about trends shaping the future, the panelists pointed to three themes.
AI is both a disruptor and a tool for opportunity.
“For us, it hasn’t changed the mission but it has accelerated the work,” said Mosier. She shared how automation through CRM tools and AI-driven job boards helps her small team extend their reach.
Schaaf added that his chamber is exploring how to make data discoverable by AI: “We want to make sure our websites, career pathways, and resources are structured so that when people ask AI tools about jobs in Toledo, they get accurate answers.”
The conversation underscored that while challenges differ from region to region, the solutions share a common thread: partnership, data, and trust.
As Justin Stewart reflected, “It’s humbling to know we’re not alone in this fight. We’re all facing similar hurdles, and now that our networks have expanded, it’s great to know others are just an email away.”
✨ Final Thought:
Workforce development isn’t just about jobs. It’s about strengthening communities. By combining data-driven strategy, employer partnerships, and trusted networks, EDOs and chambers of commerce are shaping the future of regional talent attraction and retention.
Book a call to put your network to work.