Future of Talent: Hiring Specialized Populations
Seven expert panelists gathered on October 23 for a Future of Talent event on specialized workforce populations. Panelists shared their advice for employers seeking to hire qualified candidates among military service members transitioning to civilian employment, justice-involved individuals reentering the workforce, and candidates needing visa sponsorship.
One common theme echoed by every panelist was "Hire the person, not the paper." When engaging a specialized workforce population, employers must keep in mind that every candidate also has unique skills and circumstances.
Military
Panelists: Andrew Sides, Defense Affairs Program Manager, Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce; Jason Boone, Consultant and Talent Strategist, Avature
Military personnel, with their extensive training and transferable skills, tend to be highly sought-after job candidates. Jason recommends engaging service members over a period of time before they transition to the civilian workforce.
Resources: Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program; DOD SkillBridge Program; Student Veterans of America / UVA Chapter / PVCC Chapter
To connect with the Chamber Defense Affairs Committee, visit CvilleChamber.com/dac or contact Andrew at dac@cvillechamber.com.
Re-Entry
Panelists: Kia Parson, Statewide Virginia Bonding Coordinator, Virginia Department of Corrections; Eric Paul, President, Transition Solutions Enterprises
People returning from incarceration often have participated in a lot of vocational training and reenter the workforce with valuable skills. Research shows employees with a criminal background are highly loyal and dedicated. The Virginia Bonding Program provides free insurance for employers who hire "at-risk" job seekers with a previous conviction.
Resources: Virginia Bonding Program; Work Opportunity Tax Credit
To learn how your company can get started with the Virginia Bonding Program, contact Kia at Virginia.BondingProgram@vadoc.virginia.gov or (804) 887-8262.
Visa & H1-B
Panelists: Crystal Malik, Director, Immigration Practice Group, McCandlish Holton, PC; Sherry Lu, Faculty Immigration Specialist, James Madison University; Timothy White, Supervisor of Immigration Services, University of Virginia
The H1-B visa applies to job candidates with a Bachelor's degree, for jobs that require their degree specialty – an excellent tool when recruiting from local universities. While only 85,000 of these are available annually in the U.S., an "optional practical training" designation can allow up to three years of temporary work.
Panelists noted that refugees already have work authorization and do not need visa sponsorship from their employer.
Employers with questions about a candidate's eligibility or how to sponsor a candidate should contact an immigration attorney. You can reach Crystal through McCandlish Holton.
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce and the City of Charlottesville Office of Economic Development proudly present the Future of Talent series, where employers learn new strategies to attract great talent and build a strong team. The Fall 2024 series is sponsored by Avature.
