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January 2010 issue
page 3 of 3 |
PubTalk™ comes to Vancouver
On December 2, Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC), the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN), and local law firm Landerholm, Memovich, Lansverk & Whitesides, P.S., joined forces to host the first Southwest Washington PubTalk™. The sold–out event, which drew 79 people, is part of a larger economic and workforce development strategy aimed at retaining talent and creating innovation with the region.
Steve Hix, founder of In Focus and a serial entrepreneur, and Angela Jackson, angel investor spoke to the sold out crowd about what it takes to start a new business venture.
PubTalk™ is a unique mix of educational panel discussions delivered by successful entrepreneurs, investors or business experts combined with opportunities for entrepreneurs to gain expertise in delivering investment pitches. The objective is to leverage the strength and experience of the community, providing an invaluable learning opportunity for young entrepreneurs.
Future Southwest Washington PubTalks™ are scheduled for February 17, April 21, and June 16, 2010. Space is limited and advanced registration is preferred. For more information or to register, visit www.swwdc.org.
Engineering Employment Symposia for dislocated workers an overwhelming success
More than 400 engineers seeking employment or in career transition attended the six–hour Southwest Washington and Portland Engineering Employment Symposia (EES) on November 12 and 16, gaining valuable knowledge about education and training options, job search skills, and entrepreneurship. The goal of the EES was to help engineering professionals retool, reinvent, and find employment, and ultimately remain within our community to provide our local employers with the talent they need to be competitive.
Attendees chose from 24 sessions to including Careers and Occupations–What’s Hot and What’s Not; Skills and Credentials to Make Yourself More Valuable; How to Start Your Own Business, How to Create a Start–Up, Start–Up Stories from nLight and Zubeo, and Job Search Tips and Techniques including Interviewing, Retooling Your Resume, Marketing Yourself, and Effective Networking and Use of Social Media. Accompanying plenary session speakers and exhibitors rounded out the sessions. Some attendees took advantage of a chance to present their business concept to representatives from Oregon Entrepreneur Network (OEN) during a 30 minute private consultation.
Participants found significant value in the symposia; nearly all of the sessions received ratings at or above the 90 percent satisfaction level and 46 people who attended the first event opted to attend the second event.
Coordinated by SWWDC in partnership with regional partners Enterprise for Employment & Education, MTC Works, Worksystems, Inc. and Workforce Investment Council of Clackamas County, the events were funded by a Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
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