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    Research Brief 2018

    Best Practices in Finding & Retaining Skilled Workers in Challenging Environments

    Research Brief

    A recording for this session isn't published. Below is the BPI editorial brief — key takeaways, an in-depth summary, and FAQs drawn from the original session materials and the presenter's body of work.

    Presenter

    BI

    Best Practice Institute

    Best Practice Institute

    Description

    Filling the talent pipeline for skilled workers can be a challenge. Talent acquisition should not hold back growth for technology-enabled manufacturing. How can organizations find and retain talent in challenging environments? Companies are thinking creatively to find ways to address talent shortages and talent development. Innovative applications of practices and developing new partnerships lead to great results for some businesses. Best practices for line employees can be a challenge. Tried-and-true methods get a new twist on talent development when combined with organizational culture change and employee engagement.

    Learning Points

    This webinar will address attracting and developing talent among first-line employees including: * Considering unconventional talent * Developing partnerships with feeder and employing organizations – how-to’s and successes * Keeping the motivation high and turnover low * Engaging employees with LEAN * Implementing a supportive culture for leaders at all levels

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.Organizations can address talent shortages by considering unconventional sources of talent.
    • 2.Strategic partnerships with feeder and employing organizations are an effective way to build a talent pipeline.
    • 3.High motivation and low turnover are achieved by combining talent development with organizational culture change.
    • 4.Engaging employees through LEAN principles can improve both productivity and job satisfaction.
    • 5.A supportive culture for leaders at all levels is essential for retaining first-line employees.

    Addressing Talent Shortages in Skilled Manufacturing

    In today's technology-enabled manufacturing sector, filling the talent pipeline for skilled workers is a significant challenge. For many organizations, growth is hindered by difficulties in talent acquisition. To overcome these hurdles, companies must think creatively and develop innovative strategies to address persistent talent shortages and foster internal talent development.

    This webinar explores how businesses are applying new twists to tried-and-true methods, combining them with shifts in organizational culture and employee engagement to achieve great results.

    Key Strategies for Talent Acquisition and Retention

    This session focuses on practical, effective best practices for attracting and developing talent among first-line employees.

    Tapping into Unconventional Talent Pools

    Rather than relying on traditional recruitment channels, organizations can gain an edge by considering unconventional sources of talent. This approach expands the candidate pool and brings diverse skills and perspectives into the workforce.

    Building Strategic Partnerships

    Developing partnerships with "feeder" organizations (like vocational schools or community programs) and other employing organizations can create a reliable talent pipeline. The webinar details the how-to's of forming these alliances and highlights success stories.

    Fostering a Culture of Engagement and Support

    Keeping motivation high and turnover low requires more than just competitive pay. This webinar explores how to:

    • Engage employees with LEAN principles: Integrating LEAN methodologies can empower employees, improve processes, and increase job satisfaction.
    • Implement a supportive culture: A culture that supports leaders at all levels enables them, in turn, to better support their teams, which is critical for retaining front-line staff.

    Amidst evolving economic landscapes, the challenge of attracting and retaining skilled workers persists. This session explores effective strategies and best practices that organizations can implement to not only find the right talent but also cultivate an environment where they choose to stay, even in the most demanding circumstances.

    What you'll learn

    • Strategies for identifying and attracting highly skilled professionals.
    • Methods for assessing talent suitability beyond traditional resumes.
    • Techniques for creating an engaging and supportive work environment.
    • Approaches to leadership that foster long-term employee commitment.
    • How to build a resilient workforce capable of navigating difficult periods.

    Who this webinar is for

    • HR professionals and talent acquisition specialists seeking improved recruitment and retention rates.
    • Mid-level and senior leaders responsible for team performance and development.
    • Organizational development practitioners focused on workforce planning.
    • Business owners and executives confronting talent shortages.
    • Managers looking to enhance team engagement and productivity.

    Why it matters now

    In today's competitive talent market, the ability to secure and retain skilled workers is a critical differentiator for organizational success. Economic shifts, technological advancements, and changing employee expectations mean that dated approaches are often ineffective. Organizations that proactively address these challenges by adopting best practices in talent management are better positioned to innovate, grow, and remain competitive. The principles discussed remain highly relevant for navigating current and future labor market dynamics.

    How leaders can apply this

    Leaders can immediately implement several key takeaways to enhance their talent strategies:

    • Re-evaluate recruitment processes: Focus on skills-based hiring and assessment methodologies to better identify hidden talent.
    • Invest in employee development: Create clear pathways for growth and learning to show commitment to your team's future.
    • Foster a strong culture: Cultivate an inclusive and supportive environment where employees feel valued and heard.
    • Prioritize engagement: Regularly solicit feedback and act on insights to boost morale and reduce turnover.
    • Develop succession plans: Prepare for inevitable departures by identifying and nurturing internal talent for critical roles.

    About this session

    Key takeaways

    Watching this webinar gives you grounded, practical perspective on workplace culture. Expect ideas you can use in leadership conversations, not abstract theory, drawn from Best Practice Institute's direct experience.

    Who this is for

    CHROs, HR business partners, talent leaders, executive coaches, organizational development practitioners, and senior leaders who are responsible for workplace culture inside their organization.

    Why it matters now

    Workforce expectations, hybrid work patterns, and AI-driven change keep raising the bar on culture and leadership. Sessions like this help leaders make smarter, more evidence-informed decisions about workplace culture.

    How to apply it

    Use the ideas here to challenge a current assumption on your team, design a single concrete experiment in the next 30 days, and bring one finding back to your leadership group for discussion.

    Frequently asked questions

    Best Practice Institute

    Best Practice Institute is the research organization behind Most Loved Workplace® certification, the SPARK Model, the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI™), and The Workplace Report.

    The Workplace Report

    The Workplace Report is BPI's original workplace culture research and editorial briefing series for CEOs, CHROs, people leaders, talent leaders, and employer-brand teams. It turns BPI's 25 years of research, Most Loved Workplace® certification data, SPARK findings, and current workforce signals into practical analysis leaders can use.

    The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.