July 2010 Editorial

LCC Workforce Education Hosts SEK Business Conference

Let me preface this editorial by saying, I think we have some of the most fantastic and strong business and industry for such a rural area. Our business leaders continue to move to the forefront of industry standards with technology and education.

Many area businesses have utilized LCC as a resource and a hub for business training and education. Over 70 enrollments from 30 different companies have made use of the LCC business development forums offered last spring with topics on marketing and branding, human resources, workplace wellness, and surviving in a tough economy.

In addition to those forums LCC will be hosting the 2010 Southeast Kansas Business Conference 8-5pm on Thursday, August 5, 2010.  Also hosting the conference are the Southeast KS Human Resource Association (a member affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management), and Southeast Kansas, Inc. (SEK, Inc.). The idea of the SEK Business Conference germinated with Jim Maher (Day & Zimmermann) and Walter Keener (Power Flame) during a conversation at an SEKHRA chapter meeting.  They believe there are a great amount of talent and resources in Southeast Kansas for human resource professionals.

I see this business conference as the most comprehensive event for the Southeast Kansas business community in years. Nationally recognized speakers will discuss topics most critical to today’s business environment.  Guest speakers are experts in various fields appropriate for business owners and management teams. 

MiChielle Cooper, Director of Workforce Education and Community Services at LCC, told me that William Thornton, KS Secretary of Commerce, will be speaking on “Incentives, Credits and Awards”, while Dennis George, CEO of Coffey Health Systems will discuss “Healthcare Reform’s Effect on Small Business & Hospitals”.  Other topics include “Business Survival in Today’s Political Climate” and a 2010 Legislative Review/2011 Outlook. These topics are so pertinent to so many businesses in this area.

Over 80 have already enrolled representing over 40 area businesses for the conference from areas like Wichita, Joplin and locally. Many enrollees are returning to the conference after attending the business development forums. I think it’s great for a community to have this caliber of conference at our finger-tips. The basis for the conference was driven by discussions in previous forums. This type of training and collaboration with other businesses is how we will continue to make companies viable during tough economic times.

LCC plans to co-host the SEK Business conference annually, along with Southeast KS Human Resource Association and SEK, Inc. Future conference topics will depend on the current economy and issues in the current legislature.

Labette Community College Workforce Education is now an official collegiate training affiliate with the Society for Human Resource Management. Becoming an affiliate for SHRM there was an application process, stringent criteria, and verification that instructors of courses being taught have a certain level of credential. LCC is the only site within a 2 hour radius offering SHRM® Learning System courses being taught for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM®) by Senior Professional in Human Resource (SPHR) designated instructors.

At Labette we are always open to new ideas! If your business is interested in topics which we haven’t focused a forum on, give us a call.

For more information call LCC Workforce Education & Community Services - 620.820.1278.