|
NLIS 6 May 21, 2003 (Executive Council) Joining Forces forum looks for new approaches to human resource planning Communities have a vital role to play in helping to attract and retain people living and working in rural areas. That�s the theme of a human resources forum being held in Central Newfoundland on June 4 and 5 at the Hotel Gander. The Joining Forces Human Resources forum will bring people together to discuss issues related to the recruitment and retention of professionals, and help identify ways communities and organizations can work more closely together. The event will feature a number of dynamic speakers and plenary sessions, and an overview of the issues and challenges that organizations are facing. "Building a community approach to human resource development is really the best way for us to address some of the issues around recruitment and retention practices in rural areas," said Gerald Smith, Minister of Health and Community Services, and lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan. "I think this forum is very timely and will appeal to anyone interested in the sustainability of services and communities." Target groups for the forum include those with an interest or responsibility for human resource planning, and recruitment and retention of staff, as well as people with a broader interest in labour market and community economic development. Sponsored by the Central Region Steering Committee of the SSP and Human Resources Development Canada, the forum is part of the Joining Forces Project launched in the region last September. That project is aimed at improving recruitment and retention strategies in the Central Region. Work to date includes a survey of professionals who have lived and worked in Central Newfoundland, and a literature review of recruitment and retention strategies in rural areas. Development of some regional marketing tools is also planned. "While the focus for this project has primarily been on the health and education sectors, a lot of the issues and potential strategies can apply to all organizations and businesses that need to hire people with specific skills," said Colin Forward, district administrator with the College of the North Atlantic and a member of the project�s working group. "We are not just recruiting employees, we are recruiting people and we have to remember that." Lack of support for families, limited housing options, few work opportunities for spouses and professional isolation are a few of the issues being identified in other rural areas. For more information on the conference, call Susanne Hobbs, planner/researcher of the Joining Forces Project at (709) 292-4376. You can also find conference registration and agenda information at www.gov.nl.ca/ssp Media contact: 2003 05 21 3:40 p.m. |
||
|
