Governor’s workforce board looks to improve matching people with jobs

Thursday, June 11, 1998 | 10:11 a.m.

Arte Nathan, chairman of the Governor's Workforce Development Board, made the comments at the second of four forums aimed at getting ideas on ways to deal with Nevada's employment needs.

About 80 people from state agencies dealing with employment issues and various private businesses turned out to hear about the board's efforts and to offer suggestions that'll be incorporated in the panel's recommendations to Gov. Bob Miller.

Several employers said they can't find enough qualified employees, and a number of state agencies responded that they know where the potential employees are - but not enough people know about their services.

"We've all got to be better sales people," said Nathan, a personnel officer at the Mirage megaresort in Las Vegas.

"People voted for Ronald Reagan," he added. "Why would somebody vote for an old actor? He sold himself well. We have to sell ourselves better."

Nathan said the way to solve part of the problem is to create a "seamless workforce partnership system," a one-stop center where all employment needs can be handled at one location.

"Most of you in this system know the answer," Nathan said. "If I can get you to stand up and not worry about who gets the credit, we can get something done."

As expected, much of the concern at the forum dealt with job seekers not prepared well enough in school to make it in the workforce.

Nathan warned that education is not just up to the schools, noting that the Mirage has an in-house education program for GEDs as well as basic math, reading and writing skills.

"Education is something we can take control of," Nathan said. "How many of us go to PTA meetings? How many of us go to the classroom when teachers open the doors? These are things we have to get involved in."