Some of the biggest buzzwords in the Kansas City region as of late are “talent” and “workforce.” And they most definitely should be.

The U.S. is seeing a historically low unemployment rate of 3.9 percent – the lowest in 17 years. Our society is experiencing one of the most mobile talent environments than ever before with technology and the rise of contract workers. 85 percent of jobs that will exist in the next 12 years haven’t been invented yet, and millennials are the largest generation and most diverse population in today’s U.S. workforce.

Do these factors all have influence on the KC region and its status as a top destination to live and work? Yes. And yes, Kansas City is competing.

The KC Tech Council just unveiled its Tech Specs 2018 Report, touting the explosive growth of Kansas City’s tech industry outpacing other major markets. TeamKC is hearing a very similar story from the largest employers across multiple industry sectors in the KC region.

But for Kansas City to stay in the game, according to the candidates interviewing with KC employers, we also need to focus on:

• Inclusion: candidates are actively self-identifying with cultural and gender groups throughout the interviewing process asking how the company and Kansas City stack up as welcoming places.
  
  
• Job Access: with only 18 percent of jobs accessible via public transportation in our region, employers are missing opportunities to hire qualified talent.
  
  
• Interest Gap: beyond helping our future workforce obtain the skills to be successful, talent need a perception-shift for industries with the highest employment needs including manufacturing and skilled trade.

Today’s talent landscape is multifaceted, highly competitive and fast-paced, and the cities with the best people win.

For more information and to get involved with TeamKC, the Kansas City Area Development Council’s talent initiative, contact Jessica Palm.

About Us
At TeamKC, we walk alongside more than 750 recruiters and HR executives across Kansas City helping them navigate and respond to talent market influences every day. As the region’s effort to help employers attract the best and brightest talent, TeamKC takes a B2B approach to ensure Kansas City is the reason why a candidate says “yes” to relocate to our city, or commit to staying in the KC area, to start or further their career.