ROSEBURG, Oregon – The Umpqua Community College’s (UCC) Business Program, Community and Workforce Training, and the Small Business Development Center have united to create a second annual business conference called Bridging the Gap: Building a Place Where People Love to Work. The conference, which takes place on Friday, April 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., was created last year with the goal of bringing local employers and employees together to promote recruitment and retention.

This year’s conference will feature multiple workshops conducted by UCC faculty members. The workshops cover subjects like building culture in a small business, using culture as a catalyst for innovation and change, and getting millennial buy-in. Featured speakers include Jeff Wickstrom from Overhead Door Company, and Levi Ayriss and Clayton Reinhart from Dutch Bros. Coffee.

One thing I hear often from local employers is ‘how can we improve our company culture?’, John Fett, UCC’s training services coordinator, said. With today’s difficulties in hiring and retaining employees, what is it that makes someone chose one place to work over another if pay and benefits are equal? It is company culture.

Organizations put significant effort into developing strategy, setting goals, and discussing values, Dr. Alan Aylor, UCC Business Department Professor, said. Peter Drucker, the Father of Modern Management, was often quoted as saying that a company’s ‘culture triumphs strategy every time!’ Creating an environment in which organizational members LOVE what they do and whom they work with makes strategy work.

The cost to attend is $75, and includes lunch. The price for students is $20. The event takes place at the Danny Lang Teaching, Learning, and Event Center, which is located on the main UCC campus. To register or learn more, visit: http://www.regonline.com/BridgeGap2019 or call UCC’s Community and Workforce Training Department at (541) 440-4668.

About Umpqua Community College

Nestled in the beautiful North Umpqua River Valley, Umpqua Community College is the regional center for higher education in Douglas County, Oregon. UCC provides high quality college degree programs, workforce development, and community learning opportunities.

Contact

John Fett
Training Services Coordinator, Community and Workforce Training
Phone: 541-440-7650