The 2nd Annual Roanoke Holiday Career and Lifestyle Fair will be held on Friday, December 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall. Last year over 800 people attended and we hope the same is true this year. Over 60 exhibitors are scheduled to be in attendance. The event is free for attendees.

 The rationale for this event during this time of the year was to reach out to folks home for the holidays. We think many people would be surprised at the opportunities - both social and professional - that currently existed. It may be different from several years ago.

Last year’s event got a ton of media coverage are we are trying for the same this year as well. Please tell all that you know and please come too.

As I was sitting in a customer service area waiting for my car to be serviced, I overheard a conversation by two Boomers who used to work with each other in a manufacturing setting. One was retired and the other was still working at this facility. It went something like this…

“These young guys come in here and think they know everything. They have never worked on a production line and they want to tell you how do to do something I have been doing for 40 years. It is really amusing when you think about it… I do not know what is going to happen in the future.”  

“I tell these young guys now to put on your resume that you have maintenance experience and lie like hell… cause they will teach you everything you know…there are many good opportunities there.”

Does this sound familiar? Generation warfare in the workplace. Work/lifestyle balances converging in old economy settings. No doubt these two Boomers have some good points. Also, Gen Next has certain expectations and are not willing to work the same way their parents did.  

What is going to happen when these Boomers retire?  Good question. Hope this manufacturing facility can manage the generational shift in the workplace and keep this company going. It is a dilemma that many will have to figure out in the not-so-distant future.

Click to view our recent eNewsletters for job postings in the region. Please share this with others.

We receive many requests from employers asking for assistance in finding candidates. We send these eNewsletters to our 2600 person database. If you would like to join our database, then submit a profile.

MyScoper.com is a new site created by several young entrepreneurs to better inform folks with what is going on in the region. Additionally, it provides a low cost way for local merchants to connect to a coveted young adult online community.

The site is fresh, vibrant and enjoyable. The event upload page is also very user friendly and I hope many will use it in promoting their events.

Please tell your friends about this site, in addition to RoanokeNights.com. These are solutions to the frustration of young adults in the region with trying to find out what is going on in Roanoke

Generation West Virginia is an initiative connecting the dots of regional groups trying to solve the brain drain phenomenon for the entire state of West Virginia. The smaller groups thought their efforts would be magnified if they worked collectively with their comrades in other areas of the state. As a result, the groups have received much more attention for their willingness to work together and eliminate/reduce geographical, political and self-interest barriers. This cooperative effort is a lesson many other groups, regions and states can learn.

In the local region, we have created a loose YP council with members from all of the region’s YP groups. It has met several times as a way of communicating upcoming events and discussing ways to partner.

Additionally, in the state, in September of 2006 we brought together YP groups from around the state as part of the COVITS conference under the advisement of Secretary Chopra. There have been several regional follow-up meetings between these groups with some tangible joint projects underway.

The brain drain phenomenon is something that affects 90% of MSAs in the U.S. and is an issue we need all the help in overcoming. Kudos to Generation West Virginia for their success.  Hopefully, others will follow.

Jefferson College of Health Sciencesis often overlooked in the region as an institution of higher education, yet it is an integral part of shaping this region’s future. With nearly 1000 students and plans to continue its enrollment growth, the base offers educational training in one of the hottest job sectors - health care.  Coupled with the increased demand for health care services and the new plans for the Carilion/Virginia Tech medical school, Jefferson College will be instrumental in shaping the educational and workforce opportunities for young adults. We are amazed at the number of people in the Roanoke Connect database who want to work for institutioans of higher education. Well, add this one to your list. If you do not know much about the college, then take a look at their site. It’s time more people recognize this gem!

Last night’s episode of 60 Minutes featured a piece called “The Millennials are Coming” and featured this blog’s good friend Jason Dorsey.

The piece talked about how the next generation is fitting into the current workforce. Nothing surprising her for readers of this blog, but again, another good piece that will educate others about these difference between generations.

More pieces like these are helpful in what we are trying to do in Roanoke and the NRV - attract and retain young adults.

The NCTC - the region’s technology council - has a position open within its organization it must fill immediately. The successful candidate would perform basic office management, bookkeeping and web site management. Please respond to the Craigslist ad and for more info, email Cory at cory@thetechnologycouncil.com.

This organization would be an outstanding opportunity for anyone.

The very popular Bacon’s Rebellion blog made this post on November 2 in response to the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership news on November 1 outlining their new strategy.  What is amazing is that the post received 42 comments - yes 42 comments. What does this tell us about the interest in the plan, the city or the popularity of the blog? First, it seems people think the plan is sound. Second, a lot of people have an affinity for Roanoke. Three, this blog gets a lot of people talking online and we need more Roanoke blogs engaging people about these important topics.

Finally, we have a great looking site that is as close to pure user-content driven as you can get in RoanokeNights.com. Three guys got tired of saying there was nothing going on and produced a nice site to dispel those rumors and myths. They have done a nice job of setting it up, now we have to get people going to it on a regular basis.

We have always said that a site was needed that focuses on the community first, then making a profit. I think this is the best one so far.

We have always said that there are things to do - more than you think - the different communication channels were creating barriers of knowing what was available. This site helps reduce this from happening.  

 Please use this site and share with others…