Area Employers To Vie For 2nd Annual "Employers Of Excellence" Awards

Recruiting and retaining employees are two of the hottest topics for many employers in the area.  However, despite those challenges which are driven by low unemployment rates, many employers have effective practices in place.

To recognize those innovators, the Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board (WDB) will once again be inviting employers to participate in the “Employers of Excellence” Awards program for 2017.  The program will recognize the best employers in the two-county area and provides an overview of employment data, and trends and practices on what employers are doing to maintain an engaged workforce.  The program collects data from area employers and produces a 20-page report on employment trends and practices in Dakota and Scott counties.  From the data received the WDB will recognize the businesses that are experiencing the best results in employee retention efforts and providing the best work environments in the area. Additionally, participating employers will receive a confidential report including their individual metrics.

Last year, nine area employers were recognized as “Employers of Excellence.”
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“We heard great feedback from the participating organizations.” says Mark Lofthus, chairperson of the WDB’s Business Services committee.  “The surveys provided valuable benchmark data for them.  Plus, it was great to see these area employers recognized for their cutting edge initiatives.”

The Dakota-Scott WDB is working with Personnel Dynamics Consulting, in Florida to collect the data from area businesses.  Personnel Dynamics will analyze the data and calculate the turnover rates, growth percentages, promotion percentages, and benefit packages for each company.  A total of 37 different measurements are analyzed. Every participating company will receive a personalized report detailing how they compared with other companies in the area and suggestions for improving the work environment.  All survey costs are being covered by the WDB and area sponsors including Dakota County Community Development Agency and Scott County Community Development Agency.

Winners will be announced October 4th at the 2017 Workforce Summit to be held at the Best Western-Burnsville.

The WDB is encouraging all employers to participate.  You may contact WDB Director Mark Jacobs at 651 554-5622 for more information or go to http://www.personneldynamics.net/survey.asp which includes a link to the survey. Deadline for consideration for this program – available this year at no cost to employers – is Aug. 14, 2017.