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How do communities build a strong workforce for the future, and what role do local employers play in that process?

In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins sits down with Tricia Valasek of Raise the Bar Hancock County to talk about how workforce development is evolving and what employers should be doing to prepare for 2026 and beyond.

Tricia shares a behind-the-scenes look at what workforce development looked like in 2025, including career expos, mock interviews, middle-school career exploration, as well as hands-on employer engagement happening across Hancock County. 

The episode also explores practical tools you can use to strengthen your talent pipeline, including:

• The Work Advance program for manufacturing careers
• YouScience, a skills- and aptitude-based career discovery platform
• Ways businesses can connect with students through job shadowing, internships, and career events

Whether you’re a business owner, HR professional, educator, or community leader, this conversation offers real-world insight into how workforce pipelines are built—and why showing up early matters.

Music and sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com