by Richard Hernandez, Director, Regional Economic Development Center, Yavapai College
Job Fairs Prove an Effective Hiring Tool
Yavapai College’s Regional Economic Development Center (REDC) continues to serve the community by working with their many partners to host job fairs across Yavapai County. The REDC stages six to eight job fairs each year. Job fairs were rare, small-scale occurrences until 2014 when the REDC first began reaching out to local employers and hosting these events. Since, the fairs have expanded in size, frequency and effectiveness.
The next job fairs will be Sept. 12 in Chino Valley, and Sept. 25 in Prescott Valley. For information, please visit: yc.edu/redc and click the Job & Career Fair link.
Regional Economic Development Center Has Moved
In 2019, the Regional Economic Development Center (REDC) at Yavapai College moved to the Prescott Valley Center at 3800 N. Glassford Hill Road. The staff and phone numbers remain the same, so there should be no problem in getting in touch. Yavapai College leadership exchanged the location of the REDC with the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy (NARTA) and incorporated renovations to accommodate both. The Prescott Campus provides several services needed by the NARTA 20-week training program, such as food and lodging. Regardless of location, the REDC staff are always available in the office or to come to your workplace to provide services to clients/partners throughout the entire county. Contact the REDC at 928-717-7332 or go online to yc.edu/redc.
Driving with Your Eyes Closed, or Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM)
“Decisions without data is like driving with your eyes closed!” — Dan Zarella
Yavapai College recognizes there is a tremendous need for analysis to support Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM). The REDC’s commitment to supporting its regional partners in economic development includes providing data analysis to support economic data-driven decisions. Data analysis can be defined as “the process of identifying, examining and understanding data with the goal of discovering useful information and supporting decision-making.” In other words, providing a map for a solid and sustainable path. The importance of data in decision-making creates new opportunities, predicts trends, optimizes efforts and produces insight. The REDC can help meet your data analysis needs through overview reporting of demographic, economy, industry and occupation information, as well as economic impact, feasibility and labor studies. Contact the REDC at 928-717-7332 or go online to yc.edu/redc.