Employer Forums

Find purpose. Find home.

RISE hosts a series of quarterly Employer Forums in partnership with our economic development authority partners across the eight-county region we serve. Designed specifically for HR professionals, company leaders and community partners, these forums offer a dedicated space to connect and engage with other industry leaders, explore workforce trends, share local data on emerging issues and access valuable resources. Each session includes time for networking, creating a welcoming environment for peer connection and shared learning.

In 2024, we successfully established quarterly forums in Liberty, Bryan, Effingham and Chatham Counties, and provide ongoing programming for the long-time established forum serving Bulloch, Evans, Screven and Candler Counties. Topics are customized based on local needs and requests, with RISE contributing regional insights and facilitation support as needed.

Past forums have included presentations on key findings from the Wage & Benefits Survey, panel discussions on underrepresented populations, K–12 and industry partnerships including tours of local K-12 Industry Lab tours, transportation access and regional legislative updates. These meetings have become an important touchpoint to inform, engage and strengthen the region’s workforce ecosystem.

Goals of Employer Forums

• Showcase the work, initiatives and upcoming activities RISE is leading in partnership with local economic development authorities
• Increase employer engagement in regional workforce initiatives
• Promote collaborative discussions between employers, economic developers and regional support networks
• Address emerging workforce challenges and share best practices
• Present regional workforce data and insights, including survey results and labor market trends
• Showcase local and regional resources available to employers
• Highlight regional and statewide workforce development initiatives
• Increase cross-county understanding of shared workforce challenges