Hiring Local Talent — The Hidden Gem of Business Practices
In a challenging labor market, some companies have turned to remote and hybrid work options – especially as collaboration tools have improved. But, this isn’t the only solution. Hiring and upskilling local talent has the potential of long term and wide reaching impacts to the company, the community where they operate, and the local economy.
1. Building high-performing teams: Local talent is more engaged with their employment because people within the community are more likely to understand the impact of their business, its values, and its customers.
When they work for a company in their own community, individuals are more invested in their employer’s success. They’re more likely to make themselves available to support local corporate social responsibility efforts, attend employee engagement and networking events, and meet face-to-face with their team members.
As an added bonus, employees who work in the community where they live often spend less time commuting, leading to higher job satisfaction and retention rates.
2. Boosting the local economy: Investing in the local candidate pool means investing in the local economy. Not only does hiring locally help lower the community’s unemployment rate – it contributes to the growth and resilience of the local economy. Employees spend their earnings at local businesses and support nonprofits serving their communities, stimulating economic growth. These same benefits can extend to hiring local vendors.
3. Lowering operational costs through investing in local talent: Hiring isn’t cheap. Relocation services and the logistics of remote team management are an added necessity in the case of hiring outside talent from outside the local community. Thankfully, local hires can lead to significant savings in time and resources.
4. Building a more resilient workforce: Local hiring often promotes stability within an organization. Employees with strong roots in the community where they work are less likely to switch jobs or move away, reducing turnover rates and saving employers money on talent acquisition.
Companies can strengthen their workforce further by partnering with nonprofit organizations in the area that provide employee services and support – including health and wellness, mental healthcare, childcare, transportation, and opportunities to volunteer and give back.
5. Enhancing brand reputation: When businesses support local talent, they position themselves as leaders in their community – with a stake in its growth and prosperity. This both enhances brand reputation and attracts loyal customers, while creating goodwill among community stakeholders.
More on why smart CEOs hire local talent:
Local communities are home to highly skilled individuals whose talents remain underutilized simply because they aren’t visible. These candidates may face barriers to connecting with talent scouts, and local workforce development partners can help companies reach them. When employers can’t find the skilled candidates they need locally, working with community partners who deliver training and career development support can provide them with an additional source of skilled candidates.
By investing in workforce development programs and partnerships, smart employers are building a strong talent pipeline for the future. With a focus on discovering the hidden gems in their community, these companies are finding qualified candidates who are eager to contribute and grow within their organization. Businesses can play an active role in upskilling local talent and connecting them with meaningful careers in their hometown by partnering with local schools, colleges, and workforce programs.
CareerEquity™: A Partner in Finding Local Talent
Hiring locally isn’t just a feel-good initiative – it’s a sound business strategy. The advantages of accessing a pipeline of vetted, skilled talent right in your own backyard are enormous; it can significantly help drive growth, sustainability, and community impact while reducing the hassle of taking on the task alone.
As your workforce development partner, CareerEquity helps employers connect to local, trained, and pre-vetted talent with the skills that meet industry demand, now – and in the future. Once identified, connecting talent to wraparound services, including transportation, child care, and mental health services; along with upskilling and training opportunities, helps improve hiring and retention rates.
