An engaged crowd of more than 30 representatives from roughly 20 companies and organizations attended the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s third and final HR Forum of 2023 on Tuesday.

Rue Ramsey, the Chamber’s vice president of workforce and talent strategies, emceed the event, which explored workplace trends, climate and culture.

Ramsey detailed her role, emphasizing the need to build talent pipelines via such avenues as high school externships and the attainment of bachelor’s degrees.

To that end, the Chamber’s workforce team has embarked on two out-of-state recruiting trips this year, going to universities in the Dallas area in April and colleges in the Missouri cities of Springfield, Kansas City and Joplin this week.

The Chamber’s workforce efforts are a strategic part of the broader Tulsa’s Future regional economic development partnership.

Queried on what entry-level applicants lack, company reps cited soft skills and writing skills, along with workforce etiquette.

While discussing the application process, Ramsey said employers need to not only gather data but also analyze and use it.

Companies spent considerable time discussing retention methods.

An employer said it holds regular town hall meetings at which workers can raise concerns, adding that one such gathering resulting in a dress-code change.

Cox Communications offers “Cox Gigs,” a rotational program that allows employees to gain project management experience.

CommunityCare has “stay interviews,” at which employees divulge why they’ve stayed, said Chuck Greer, vice president of human resources at CommunityCare.

Executives at the health insurance agency also schedule coffee meetings with new employees to get acquainted.

“We do believe culture matters,” Greer said. “Culture is where it is.”