One way to be an employer of choice is to become actively engaged in the community. It speaks volumes about your organization’s values. It’s a good short- and long-term recruiting strategy. It increases your name recognition while demonstrating commitment to your community.
Community Matters
Community matters
Here are a few ways you can get more engaged:
Offer learning opportunities. Opening your doors for public tours—like many Minnesota manufacturers do each October during Manufacturing Week—is a good way to showcase your industry, your work, and inform your community about what you do. Other learning opportunities can include:
- Job shadowing
- Mentoring programs
- Apprenticeships
- Internships
- On-the-job training
- Volunteer roles
- Online job fair recruiting
Build relationships with local schools and colleges. These strategies are a good way to foster relationships and develop a talent pipeline.
- Participate in career fairs and other educational resource events in high schools and community colleges
- Speak in schools about the work you do
- Serve on an advisory board for a local K-12 school or college
- Offer scholarships
Connect with your community. Other tangible ways to show you’re committed to your community include:
- Being active in business and community organizations such as the local chamber of commerce, Rotary Club, the Elks and other organizations
- Serving on the board of local nonprofit organizations
- Making donations or providing in-kind support to community groups
- Connecting with local economic developers and development groups
- Participating in professional groups and industry associations
