Workforce Solutions Learning Lab: The Case for Quality Jobs, Skills-Based Hiring and Apprenticeships
August 13 @ 9:30 am – 3:00 pm CDT
Struggling to fill open positions? Facing high turnover? You’re not alone. Join workforce development leaders from across Arkansas and Oklahoma for a learning lab focused on hiring strategies that drive retention, results, and labor force resilience both locally and regionally.
Explore data-driven tools for career advancement and skills development. Discover steps you can take to strengthen workforce initiatives in your organization or community. This highly interactive session will equip you with practical solutions you can put to work.
This learning lab is designed to move beyond discussion and help employers explore practical solutions to workforce challenges.
Registration dealine: Monday, Aug. 10, 2026.
Questions? Contact the Community Development team at communitydevelopment@stls.frb.org.
What will you gain?
- Apprenticeship resources—Get access to strategies and tools to launch or expand apprenticeship programs in your organization
- Data-driven workforce insights—Understand more about how skills-based approaches can help employers staff the hardest-to-fill jobs in the Fort Smith, Ark., and northeast Oklahoma region
- Job quality solutions—Discover how public benefits intersect with job quality and what you can do to help workers move beyond the benefits cliff
- Real employer examples—Learn from real-world case studies of skills-based hiring and apprenticeship strategies being used successfully by employers
- Interactive problem-solving—Participate in guided table discussions that turn ideas into practical strategies you can apply in your own organization
Who should attend?
- HR managers and talent acquisition leaders
- Manufacturing plant operations managers
- Business owners and executives
- Workforce development professionals
- Anyone tackling hiring or retention challeng