• A Message from Chris Smith - Lead Clermont 2011 Class Project
• Save the Date - Leadership Day / LEAD Graduation, May 12, 2011
• Walk for Clermont Kids - May 14, 2011
• River Sweep 2011 - June 18, 2011
• Clermont Chamber of Commerce Coming Events
  • 2011 Economic Forecast Breakfast - April 28, 2011
  • May Legislative Luncheon - May 13, 2011

Lead Clermont 2011 Class Project

The Clermont 20/20 Leadership Class of 2011 is approaching the end of their class year and the conclusion of their community project. This year’s class started last August. The class of 2011 made an ambitious selection for their community project:“21st Century Workforce Skills, Closing the Gap Between Worker Skill Sets and Employer Needs.”

The class surveyed over 100 small to mid size Clermont County companies. The survey added to work previously done by the UC Economic Research Center, the Clermont County Office of Economic Development, the Clermont Chamber of Commerce, and Clermont County’s Workforce One Center. The survey asked employers what skills do they need current and incoming employees to possess? What skills seem to be lacking or deficient? Employers were asked if they were having difficulty finding the employee talent they needed and wanted. Employers were also asked to project forward the quantity and quality of jobs, positions, and skills needed for the next couple of years as our economy slowly gains strength and momentum.

A summary of findings will be shared by the class with our community partners in education, business, and the political arena on May 12th. Recommendations will be made on how best to “close the gap” if necessary so that Clermont County can be positioned to have a talented, skilled workforce that will make the community an attractive location for companies to locate and expand.

The key to community wealth and prosperity hinges to an ever greater degree on not just jobs, but jobs of a more technical nature, containing higher skill content. These jobs typically come with higher wages, diminished outsourcing possibilities, and greater likelihood of sustainability in this global economy. Having a workforce possessing these skills improves Clermont County’s opportunity to successfully pursue and bring higher value / higher wage jobs into our community.

We all know as a result of this deep and difficult recent economic downturn how important jobs are. We also know that other parts of the world are developing work forces with increasing skill sets that rival those of U.S. workers. Clermont County must increase the skills of our workforce in order to remain competitive in the pursuit of more technology related companies. The alternative is to default back to lower skill, lower wage jobs that provide minimal earning capacity and limit the options and opportunities for Clermont County citizens and their families.

Please join us in hearing the survey results and recommendations from the Clermont 20/20 Class of 2011 (the best class) on Thursday, May 12th at 3:30 at Receptions / Eastgate. Join us in the project results, a brief graduation ceremony, and networking time following where additional questions, comments, and next steps will be discussed.

Chris Smith, Director
Clermont 20/20 Inc.

Check out a full size view of the event flyer, and visit the web site at

www.walkforclermontkids.org 

2011 Economic Forecast Breakfast

“The Future Is Your Decision”

Don’t miss the 2011 Economic Forecast Breakfast brought to you by Grant Career Center, Great Oaks Career Campuses, University of Cincinnati Clermont College and Southern State Community College.

Brian Beaulieu, Economist and CEO of the Institute for Trend Research, returns to Clermont County on Thursday, April 28, 2011 to examine what the trend probabilities are through 2012 for the nation and the local area. Brian will take us through his interpretation of the latest input from the leading indicators. As in years past, he will suggest Management Objectives™ for our businesses and our portfolios based on his outlook of the next two years. There are some key determining trends as we go forward. Come hear about them!

The program will be held at Holiday Inn and Suites Cincinnati Eastgate, 7:30 – 10:30 AM.  Register on the website at www.clermontchamber.com or by calling 513-576-5005.

May Monthly Luncheon - Legislative