Workforce Study
ABOUT OP TALENT NOW
As part of its Opportunity NOW strategic initiative, the Chamber engaged TIP Strategies, Inc. (TIP), a nationally recognized workforce and economic development consulting firm, to prepare a comprehensive talent and workforce study.
Named OP Talent NOW, the study addresses the needs of current and future employers in Overland Park by providing recommendations to overcome barriers and seize opportunities for attracting, retaining and developing the city’s workforce. It is built on a foundation of comprehensive research, stakeholder engagement and a deep understanding of the unique characteristics that define Overland Park’s competitiveness.
BY INDUSTRY
By analyzing workforce challenges, labor shortages, and skills gaps in key sectors, OP Talent NOW provides chamber leaders, stakeholders, members, and committees with the insights needed to develop data-driven programs and strategies. These efforts are crucial for supporting the Opportunity NOW goals of attracting and aligning talent, boosting job growth and business investment, and enhancing OP’s pro-business environment.
RECOMMENDATIONS
OP Talent NOW presents three key action areas: attracting new talent to meet employer needs, anchoring local talent through quality of place investments and employee retention, and aligning educational and training infrastructure with job market demands. Developed from extensive community input, these recommendations aim to build a robust talent pipeline and enhance workforce competitiveness.
#1 ATTRACT
Attract talent to the region and recruit workers to ensure a robust supply of skilled talent for existing and future employers.
#2 ANCHOR
Retain the region’s home-grown talent and support local companies with employee retention.
#3 ALIGN
Strengthen the education and training infrastructure to match employer needs and to help people gain in-demand skills that lead to living wage jobs.