The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce's Workforce Development initiative provides you with regular updates on local job opportunities, labor market trends, and what you need to know to find a successful career match here in Columbus, NE. The three components of the drive: recruitment, development and coordination of community efforts ultimately resulted in 438 additions/improvements to the Columb
us region’s labor force by 2010. Since that first benchmark was reached, Drive for Five has continued its focus to recruit and retain skilled and talented individuals to our local labor market. As a means to achieve the goal of growing our labor force, the Drive for Five takes part in local and out-of-state recruiting trips in an effort to reach individuals that will be seeking employment after completing their College education, as well as those who may have recently experienced a company-wide layoff. Drive for Five provides assistance to those folks interested in relocating by way of community weekend-visits, tours of local industry, and providing information about community resources that are available. Recognizing that the future of our local labor force is currently residing in our local schools, Drive for Five has formed School-Business Partnerships with Columbus Public School and Lakeview Community School in an effort to educate our future employees on the many great opportunities that await them once they have completed their education. This education comes by way of programs such as Bank In Schools, Vehicle Day, Reality 101, Education In Industry, The Columbus Regional Career Dream Team, and University Week. Since 2010, Drive for Five has connected thousands of local students with our local business and industry. Drive for Five also seeks to strengthen and promote our current labor force, and the popular Supervisor Training Series is an example of just that. Continuous collaboration occurs with many of our local organizations in order to bring worthwhile and informational programs to those business and industry leaders that make our community so successful. The Drive for Five is constantly changing and evolving to meet the needs of our local businesses and address the challenges they face in recruiting and retaining skilled employees. We will continue to work with our local industries and organizations to make sure that our labor market is successful.