Page 12 - HC B2B Fall20

HELENA WINS FALL UPDATE
What is WINS?
-Workforce Innovation Networks
As of May 2020, we at Helena WINS have completed our second year as a program and are making strides to begin our third. The goal of Helena WINS is to build a robust talent pipeline for the Helena area that is responsive to employers’ current and emerging workforce needs. Although it has been a different year, Helena WINS is still working to bridge the talent gap between employers and employees.
What has WINS been working on?
New Hire-
In mid- August, the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with MBAC (Montana Business Assistance Connection), hired McKinley Winkle for the Helena WINS Director position. We are excited to have someone in the office during the week who is dedicated to the program and whose time is specific towards all things WINS.
12 BUSINESS TO BUSINESS CONNECTION
•••
By McKinley Winkle
Strategic Planning Process-
This year we have started a
strategic planning process to
refocus our efforts. In the past,
WINS has been dedicated to the following four pillars:
manufacturing, construction,
healthcare, and information
technology. Through this process
we are hoping to gather more insight from our employers and community members to broaden our horizons and be a larger force in the Helena area, tackling work- force needs. We have pulled together
a committee from our WINS steering committee to be a part of this process by conducting interviews with employers, em- ployees, students, etc., to decipher main points for WINS to focus our attention on. We are looking forward to our next steps and can’t wait to take part in building up Helena’s workforce.
Summer Jobs Program-
partnered with Gabrielle Rowley through
American Jobs for America’s Youth to
create the Helena Summer Jobs Program
(HSJP). Through this program, students
were able to work over the summer as an
experience and felt that their time spent was valuable. Looking toward next year, HSJP is hoping to expand the program to freshmen at Helena College and share resources with surrounding communities.
Intern Bridge-
Helena WINS is proud to co-host the
virtual Intern Bridge workshop beginning
October 15th through November 12th
alongside Reach Higher MT, American
Jobs for America’s Youth, University of
Montana, Carroll College, and Missoula
Economic Partnership. This workshop will
be a series of webcast and virtual
meetings. In addition to the videos and
For the last two summers, Helena WINS
PLEASE HELP US SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
discussion sessions, participants will get
to take part in two exclusive bonus
workshops focused on virtual internships.
WEAR A MASK
met with mentors to talk about their work, life, and career paths. The industries that
were a part of this program included: finance, retail, customer service, hospitality, marketing, healthcare, administrative work, grounds keeping, automotive, engineering, recreational and legal. Overall, the students had a satisfied
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ADVENTURE SECOND.
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L DISTANCE (AT LEAST 6 FT. APART)
INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF HELENA WINS AND WE
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WANT YOU TO BE A PART OF IT!
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If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about our Helena WINS
ER COUGHS & SNEEZES
program, visit our website at helenawins.com or email our Director at mwinkle@helenachamber.com.
AFETY FIRST,
intern or employee in Helena area businesses. Through this process they
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THANK YOU FOR HELPING US KEEP RESIDENTS & VISITORS SAFE.
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