Next week we will gather at what is now one of the largest events in the industry – the 2016 Workers’ Compensation Conference August 21 – 24 in Orlando. I want to add that, before the conference begins, a great group of Sedgwick colleagues will be taking part in the Give Kids the World service project on Saturday morning. This is an extremely rewarding opportunity for our industry to give back to the local community. For our colleagues, this helps extend our commitment that caring counts℠ at Sedgwick.
On Tuesday, Sedgwick is again proud to sponsor the “Centers for Excellence” conference track. This year’s theme is “Better Together” and the lineup of speakers is exceptional. As Steve Rissman, program chair for WCI, has said, this is a great venue to bring some of the best thought leaders together under one roof. Incorporating the ability to have open discussions and real-time input from conference attendees helps educate everyone on some of the most relevant and timely issues facing our industry.
As part of the Centers for Excellence, I will be joining a highly knowledgeable panel as we address the topic of “Talent Attraction, Training and Retention of the Workforce.” Many industries now face an aging workforce and our industry is at the forefront of this concern. We will be losing more talented contributors than ever before over the next decade.
We must cohesively as an industry work to attract, educate and retain a new generation of worker. Unlike the toothpaste commercial that says “4 out of 5 dentists recommend,” I feel comfortable saying that 9 out of 10 people in our industry could say they didn’t start out thinking they would work in the workers’ compensation or insurance industry – and yet, here we are today in very fulfilling and rewarding careers.
It is time to change the narrative and let the next generation know that our industry is a great place to work, rich with a wide range of opportunities for people from all walks of life. Every day, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need care during challenging times in their lives. Our panelists will discuss how we are individually approaching this challenge and will share what we believe are best practices to fill the looming talent gap.
We certainly need to reach untapped talent pools and look at new and creative methods. No longer can we put up a help wanted sign and just pick from the applicants. I encourage you to join us Wednesday, August 24th at 9:00 a.m., and in the meantime, leave your comments here to add to the discussion. In the spirit of seeking new ways to reach talent, you can also send your thoughts to us on Twitter @Sedgwick or join us on our Facebook page the day of the discussion as we live stream for those who will not be able to attend.
I look forward to seeing many of you in Orlando and, most importantly, sparking the discussion on how we can keep our industry healthy and offering rewarding opportunities into the future just as it has for all of us today.
Dave North, president and CEO, Sedgwick