1. Strategies and implementation for sustaining,
expanding and enhancing our area employer network
FMCC ~ Employer &
Student Career
Connections

2. • The economics of the area
• Effectively marketing ourselves in a way that meets industry needs
and resonates with businesses.
• Educating employers that FM is the education partner of choice to
provide the academic and technical skills training and education their
employees need.
• Understanding business’ current and future talent development
challenges and needs to ensure sustainable partnerships.
Challenges of developing a network

3. • Strong internship sites - Networking partnerships are strong! True
partnership for business and education to help build business pipelines.
• Effective relationships with local Workforce Solutions offices
• Solid Non- Credit course offerings
• Annual Job Fair – Area employers can see FM and what we have to offer
• College Central Network – On line network for students, employers and
alumni
• Resume and Career Services - Available as a 1 credit courses
• Center for Employer Services – Workforce training
• Dedicated faculty and staff

4. Centralized point person who will help FM project a regional
identity by:
• Envision what the common objectives are for all stakeholders
• Self-starter that initiates and manages the work flow
• Building trust and respect with employers
• Flexibility ~ focus on goals but allow for new opportunities.
• Proactively bridge communication gaps. Be honest and open minded
• Create benchmarks and milestones – helps all partners stay on track with progress
• Clearly define roles and expectations
• Measurement and data ~ Report on results
• COMMUNICATION- A must amongst partners, essential to long and short term
needs
Focus
Creates
Expansion

5. • Deepen contact within Workforce Solutions – Join their 6
time per year Business Consortium meeting.
• Department of Labor – Reignite monthly staff meetings to
keep FM in the forefront of their thinking
• Work more proactively with the Chamber of Commerce –
Bring back to FM the “Business after Hours”. Host more
Chamber events on Campus.
• “Three Key People” – Meet regularly to discuss where
opportunities may exist in the overlap of the positons
Strategies to expand scope of position and
create new opportunities:

6. Economic Development Offices
• Partner to identify growing employment trends and prospective
new area employers.
• Raising awareness to the services FM can provide to help them
with their workplace training needs.
• What can we do for the employer to: Help increase employee
retention rates; Improve skill and education levels; Expand
employee diversity and boost performance and productivity.
New strategies…

7. Create an FM Employer Network Association
• Guest speakers on relevant HR topics and continued networking
Create an FM Workforce Development Institute (for
credit)
• Create customized training packages for area employers
• Help employers keep their workforces’ skills current
• Courses can be chosen from our current listing, or a specific
curriculum can be developed directly from information provided
by the employer or industry expert
Create a Career Center
• A physical space for devoted solely for students and employers
New strategies…

8. Employer survey – Employer needs vs Worker
skills
• Every two years survey area employers asking about their hiring
challenges, skill gaps and training practices.
• Will help to shine a light on common workforce issues across a wide
range of industries
FM Employment Network Newsletter
• Help to keep FM in the forefront of their thinking with a monthly
newsletter highlighting success stories, training opportunities,
course offerings, and relevant employment topics
New strategies…

9. New challenge may mean a new way of coming
together across divisions to meet our goals!
Relationship Building