Finding top talent is a challenge for many Hoosier employers. One way to approach that is to make sure you are focusing on recruiting the skills that will most benefit your organization.

That is one of the key areas of emphasis at the inaugural Indiana Workforce Summit, taking place October 24-25 at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis. The Indiana Chamber, through its Institute for Workforce Excellence, is partnering with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to present this important program.

Skills-based hiring centers employee recruitment around knowledge, skills and abilities as opposed to credentials. For example, when you require a bachelor’s degree for a position you are automatically telling nearly three quarters of Indiana’s 3.3 million individuals in the labor force that they cannot apply.

Think about those people who possess years of experience that could be used in your company. But because they don’t possess a certain degree, they don’t get a chance show their abilities.

“In Indiana, skilled workers are sitting on the sidelines even though they could be your next great hire,” says Natalie Heustis, manager of employer initiatives for Skillful Indiana. “In the Skillful Talent Workshop 101: Attract the Right Talent session, we’ll share tried and tested ways to expand your talent pool, diversify your workforce and retain your best workers.”

Within a skills-based program, each step of the hiring process is designed to help you attract, evaluate and hire candidates based on the expertise needed to succeed in the position. It requires your organization to look inward and define those skills or competencies you are seeking in potential employees.

The summit features community partnerships, education efforts, employer strategies, the unveiling of the results of the Chamber’s 12th annual employer workforce survey and more. Learn more and register online or by calling (800) 824-6885.

The platinum sponsor is Saint Joseph’s College of Marian University – Indianapolis. Silver sponsors include Conexus Indiana, Indiana Association for Adult and Continuing Education, Indiana State University, IU Kelley School of Business at IUPUI, Pinnacle Treatment Centers, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Strada Education Network and WGU Indiana.

Indiana Chamber members receive a discounted registration price of $599; the government/non-profits rate is just $299.