Workforce Today

Gig work, independent contracting, freelancing, project-based work – no matter what you call it, more people are making a living at it. Bill Villano talks with Robert McGuire, founder of the website Nation1099.com and also owner of a New Haven-based marketing agency that employs a stable of 1099ers. The percent of independent contractors in the Gig Economy by choice may surprise you.

Compounding the current skilled workers shortage is the potential loss of knowledge and skills as older, seasoned workers decide they are ready to retire. David DeLong literally wrote the book "Lost Knowledge" before the Great Recession put off many workers' plans to retire. As the economy has improved and as other factors begin to affect longevity, what can employers do to soak up as much know-how from exiting workers, integrate a new workforce – and retain them?

Immigrants are a vital part of our economy and the workforce. The legal process for entering the U.S. to work is complicated and long, and the prospect of deportation is frightening and always looming for those without the proper documentation. Bill Villano and New Haven, CT. Attorney Glenn Formica discuss newsworthy sanctuary cases and the sometimes arcane system for workers and employers. Formica represents Nuri Chavarria, the mother of four who took sanctuary in a New Haven church.

As a follow up to Ep. 10 with Ellen Davis at the National Retail Federation, Bill talks with Walmart's Julie Gehrki about training its 2.3 million associates, upward mobility within the company, and how customer behavior impact job roles. Julie Gehrki is Senior Director of Business Integration at the Walmart Foundation and sat down with Bill during a visit to Walmart's Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters.

For all the stories about closing big box stores and failing malls, there are just as many retailers opening or re-inventing themselves in response to a more educated and intentional customer base, says National Retail Federation VP Ellen Davis on this episode of Workforce Today. Davis, who also heads the non-profit NRF Foundation, talks about how data helps retailers adapt to buyers' shifting habits and make investment decisions, and that behind the register is just one of the 28 million jobs that make up the retail industry.

This episode features an interview with Art Bilger, the Founder of WorkingNation, a national not-for-profit campaign to educate the American public about the looming unemployment crisis in this country. Discover the biggest threats and opportunities to Connecticut and US labor markets and 4 variables that are key to the transformation of the US economy.

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Mike Lawlor, Under Secretary for Criminal Justice Policy and Planning for Connecticut, joins the program to discuss the efforts that are underway in his state to help ex-offenders find good jobs. Mike shares why putting ex-offenders back to work makes sense from an economic perspective and dispels some common myths about recidivism and the overall perception of formerly incarcerated individuals. Discover why employers are increasingly willing to hire people with a criminal record and what Connecticut is doing to help people get an expedited pardon of their criminal convictions.

Bill Villano continues his conversation with Drexel University economist Paul Harrington on how automation can increase productivity, replace workers AND still lead to higher wages and a more stable workforce. Discover what's really behind economic inequality, and why bashing Walmart is wrong.

For more information visit http://www.workforcealliance.biz/

Labor Market Economist Paul Harrington of Drexel University talks with Bill Villano about current and future impacts and takes apart common perceptions about employment, wages, and the decline in youth employment. Is automation what we really should be worried about when it comes to filling jobs?

For more information, visit http://www.workforcealliance.biz/