How deep is your organization’s talent pipeline?  How many years will it serve?  If you are one of many industries in the world facing looming talent shortages, these questions are of critical importance.  And let’s face it, those talent needs are not going to be satisfied simply be playing the recruitment version of musical chairs.  Is it your turn to hire that one local professional that every competitor in town has employed for 2 years?

In our live webcast today, Robin Miller, Director of Staffing at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, and Susan Milliken, Executive Director of Futures for Kids (F4K) talked about BCBSNC’s talent pipeline programs and how to bridge the gap between employers, students and careers.  At BCBSNC, their strategy targets both entry-level talent and professional talent.  Their entry-level needs are served by high school partnerships, including established ventures with:

• National Academy Foundation Programs
• Business Advisory Boards
• Career Fairs and Mock Interviews
• Futures for Kids:  I have had the pleasure of working with F4K starting in a past life.  In a nutshell, F4K “bridges the gap between the hopes and dreams of our students and the workforce development needs of our communities.”  Through targeted programs at middle- and high-schools, F4K
• Uses the Internet to help students discover what makes them tick
• Allows kids to explore careers that match their unique talents
• Gives every student a career coach to talk to
• Empowers educators with information about their kids’ career goals
• Enables businesses to grow their future workforce locally
• Shows our kids careers that can make them happy

Additionally, their professional talent pipeline is filled through:

• College Internship Program- think of this as a “broad-stroke” solution designed to give rising seniors from participants universities experience in multiple facets of careers at BCBSNC
• Apprenticeship Program-  is truly a part-time experience while enrolled in university
• Direct College Hire Program- a training program that includes leadership and technical courses

I am really impressed by how thoughtful and successful BCBSNC has been in designing and implementing these programs.  Want more info about partnering with F4K in North Carolina, Canada or pilots in the world beyond?  Check them out online.