WEDG workforce group has successful first meeting

The Washington Economic Development Group’s newly established group of workforce-focused HR managers and CEOs held its first meeting in late May. Since then, interest in the group has skyrocketed.

WEDG Executive Director Mary Audia said the first meeting was a productive discussion of workforce issues in the community.

“It’s hard to find people to fill jobs right now, it’s really challenging,” she said. “Everybody is desperate for workforce, so that’s one of the things we’re going to look at … we’re getting together to see what the great minds can come up with.”

While the original group was 10-member selection of manufacturing company representatives, Audia said she expected it to reach up to 30 people by the next meeting, which would be open to HR managers from any market.

“I’ve had probably another 10-15 people reach out to me since I sent out a newsletter,” she said. “They want to be part of it, and they’re not necessarily manufacturing. They might just be human resources or CEOs that are just looking for any ideas.”

Audia said the group would likely move forward with quarterly meetings, with the next one penciled in for late August at the Washington Public Library.

Those interested can call Mary Audia at 319-653-3942.