BBER helps develop a workforce in Montana

Finding, retaining employees for Montana businesses

The University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research will take the 11th annual Economic Update Series on the road to Billings, Bozeman, Helena, Butte, Great Falls and Missoula Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 9-11. The series opened in Kalispell on July 29.

According to BBER, one shared challenge among businesses across Montana is finding and retaining a high-quality workforce. With improving economic conditions, changing technology and turnover or retirement of owners, managers and workers at all levels, Montana companies and organizations must attract and retain the talent they need to compete and thrive. Will those challenges become easier or harder in the years ahead? How can companies meet those challenges? The 2016 Economic Update series will focus on this timely and important workforce issue. 

BBER Director Pat Barkey will share the latest intelligence and projections of where the state and regional economies are headed, with a particular eye on the labor market. Barkey will be joined by Kate McGoldrick, the executive director of UM’s new enterprise and executive development efforts, who will share her insights on why the challenge of attracting talent is so important, and what companies can do to address it.
The Economic Update Series is sponsored by the Montana Chamber of Commerce.  Each event runs approximately 1.5 hours and includes breakfast at the morning seminars and lunch at the afternoon seminars. Registration costs $30 for Montana Chamber of Commerce members and $35 for nonmembers. To register for the Economic Update series, visit the Chamber’s website athttp://www.montanachamber.com or call 406-442-2405.
The Economic Update schedule is:
  • 7 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9:Billings, Crowne Plaza.
  • Noon Tuesday, Aug. 9: Bozeman, Holiday Inn.
  • 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10:Helena, Radisson Colonial Hotel.
  • Noon Wednesday, Aug.10:Butte, NorthWestern Energy.
  • 7 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11:Great Falls, Hilton Garden Inn.
  • Noon Thursday, Aug. 11:Missoula, Hilton Garden Inn.

 
Established in 1948, BBER is the main research unit of UM’s School of Business Administration. It informs Montanans about the economic climate in which they live and work. In addition to conducting its Economic Outlook Seminars across the state each year, BBER researchers engage in a wide range of applied research projects that address different aspects of the state economy, including survey research, economic analysis, health care research, forecasting, wood products research and energy research.

BBER also has provided full range of survey services for more than 35 years. Highly skilled bureau researchers use advanced data collection systems and techniques to offer broad-based survey services for public- and private-sector studies, including survey development, data collection, analysis and report writing.
For more information visit BBER at http://www.bber.umt.edu/ or call 406-243-5113.

 


Please note, comments must be approved before they are published