42 per cent of members say that attracting and retaining staff is one of the biggest issues facing businesses here in the ACT today.

In this highly competitive employment market what does your business need to do to attract and retain quality staff? What are the external factors and what can you control?

Join the discussion as Chamber CEO Greg Harford and an expert panel talk about what businesses can do to attract and retain staff and what it is that staff are looking for in a modern employer.

Topics covered will include:

• Factors that have contributed to the current skills shortage
• Industries and jobs impacted the most
• Where to find candidates
• Positioning yourself as a desirable employer
• Who is the modern employee
• Benefits and staff incentives
• The recruitment journey
• Who is interviewing whom
• The generation gap: do millennials really want different things?
• The importance of onboarding and offboarding
• Where to find helpful resources

Panelists

Keith Cantlie – Principal, Cantlie Recruitment Services

With over 35 years’ experience within the region, Keith is a passionate Canberran who is focussed on the “talented future” of this great city and region. He has built a trusted network and forged deep relationships across the community by partnering with organisations and individuals alike to achieve their strategic talent sourcing and career goals, earning a reputation as one of Canberra’s leading executive recruitment/career strategists. From the outset Keith has set out to pioneer a new way of working, restoring people to the centre of employment and recruitment processes.

Sarah McPhillips – Executive Coach & owner of Matriarch Hair Studio

With over 30 years’ experience in the hairdressing industry, Sarah is proud to own Matriarch Hair Studio and enjoys the training and mentoring of her enthusiastic team. As a business consultant Sarah specialises in bringing inspiration, accountability and leadership to the forefront and is adept in meeting the challenges faced in day-to-day small business operations.

Sarah Rajic – Managing Director, Capital Recruit

Sarah is Managing Director and Founder of Capital Recruit which she established in 2014. With extensive recruitment experience, gained both locally and interstate, Sarah has recruited across the private sector and has an in depth understanding of the market she operates in. Whether it be attracting and selecting one-of-a-kind candidates, to integrating and managing entire recruitment processes, Sarah takes the time to understand her client’s business and their issues and determine solutions that work for them.

Matt Kelly – Regional Director – ACT, Hays Specialist Recruitment

As Regional Director of Hays Canberra, Matt is responsible for day-to-day operations driving performance, delivery and business growth. For the past 16 years Matt has been working in the Canberra market supporting multiple industries and in partnership with both the public and private sectors. Matt’s understanding of the individual needs of his customers in industries as varied as Construction & Property, Trades & Labour, Manufacturing, Logistics, Procurement, Defence, Technology, Human Resources, Scribing, Marketing, Finance, Policy & Strategy, Administration & Contact Centres has been key in his success.