Workforce

We represent and advocate for 45,000 employees throughout Eau Claire County.

"The Chamber’s role, led by its Workforce Development Committee, is to serve as an action committee and support for employers as they work to solve their immediate and long-term talent and workforce challenges"

Workforce has become the number one issue of employers across the Chippewa Valley. Increasing demand for many occupations has been met with demographic challenges and continuing skills gap issues. Companies are experiencing difficulties in filling positions, and retaining employees dampening their opportunities for business growth.

Promote our area’s unique assets and value in attracting and retaining talent.
Approach workforce as a critical supply chain issue. Serve as a catalyst to identify root cause barriers. Then, convene stakeholders to tackle specific opportunities and challenges.
Support local, regional and state workforce initiatives that have a direct impact on regional employers.
Participate and collaborate with other entities where the Chamber’s knowledge and resources can provide value to achieving important goals.
View all of our Workforce Initiatives through the lens of the Chamber’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives so that we can continue to provide solutions to workforce barriers.
Stay informed of Workforce policy and participate in advocacy opportunities.

Workforce Tenets

Develop

We work to develop our future workforce through K-12 and post - secondary institutions to expose students to career opportunities in Eau Claire County. We will continue to focus and support development opportunities for employees in this region's industry leaders.

Attract

We create services and programs that attract talent to our area and show why the Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley region is a great place to live, work and play.

Retain

When talent moves to our area, we provide businesses with professional and community development services to not only retain their employees but encourage continued development. We want to ensure everyone in our area is contributing to our growing economy and reaching their full potential.

Our Initiatives and Programs

Explore Eau Claire

ThinkEauClaire.com

Workforce Connector

Workforce Solutions Summit

This event is designed to bring area employers together with practical solutions they can implement to solve immediate and long-term workforce challenges.

Do you have solutions or initiatives that you'd like to share? We are seeking Request for Proposals from speakers and panelists. You can read more and submit here, or if you have questions feel free to reach out to information@eauclairechamber.org.

Youth Apprenticeship and Internships

Youth Apprenticeship (YA) is a highly successful talent acquisition strategy in which employers hire high school juniors or seniors for a one or two-year apprenticeship. During the apprenticeship, the student continues toward high school graduation and takes courses related to the profession as a way of enhancing what is being learned on the job.

The Eau Claire Chamber Foundation runs the Eau Claire Youth Apprenticeship Consortium representing:

Eau Claire Area School District
McKinley Charter School
Fall Creek School District
Regis Schools

We work hard to help enrich the k-12 student pipeline. Cultivating relationships so that students find career opportunities and businesses can showcase careers in the area.

Learn More

The Chamber works with its partners to connect area K-12 and College students with opportunities with employers and careers in the Chippewa Valley. Contact us for more information.

For more information about the Chamber’s Workforce-related initiatives, contact Courtney Olsom, Workforce Director.

CONTACT