WAIMEA, HAWAII - As Hawaii Island employers continue to face labor shortages and increasing competition for talent, the Hawaii Employers Council (HEC) will host a professional workshop in Waimea focused on practical, skills-based workforce strategies. The workshop, “Building a Skills-Based Workforce: Strategic Hiring & Development,” will take place on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
The workshop will be led by Tracie Foglia, Talent Solutions Manager at the Hawaii Employers Council. A long-time Hawaii Island resident, Foglia brings local insight into the real-world hiring and retention challenges faced by businesses, including the high cost of living, limited labor pool, and geographic barriers that impact recruitment and employee stability.
This interactive workshop will explore the growing shift away from traditional, job-title driven hiring toward a skills-first approach. By focusing on what candidates can actually do, rather than where they went to school or what titles they’ve held, employers can broaden their talent pool, strengthen retention, and uncover potential within their own communities.
“The way we hire is changing, and for Hawaii Island, that change isn’t optional—it’s necessary,” said Foglia. “Our workforce is finite. To stay competitive and resilient, employers need to look beyond outdated requirements and focus on skills, potential, and development. This workshop will give local businesses practical tools they can use immediately to build and sustain their teams.”
Designed specifically for our business community, the workshop will provide hands-on guidance for identifying internal skill gaps, rewriting job profiles, and creating development pathways that make sense for small and mid-sized employers.
Key areas of focus include:
• How skills-based hiring can improve local retention and support workplace equity
• Practical steps to convert traditional job descriptions into competency-based profiles
• Affordable approaches to employee development for small businesses
• Understanding labor trends and demographic shifts impacting the Hawaii Island economy
Event Logistics:
• Subject: Building a Skills-Based Workforce: Strategic Hiring & Development
• Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
• Location: Waimea, Hawaii Island
• Presenter: Tracie Foglia, Senior HR Consultant, Hawaii Employers Council
About the Hawaii Employers Council
The Hawaii Employers Council (HEC) is a private, nonprofit employer association dedicated to helping employers build skilled, engaged, and effective workforces. Founded in 1943, HEC has been serving Hawaii’s business community for 80 years. HEC serves 800 employers statewide with strategic human resources consultancy on employment law, employee and labor relations, collective bargaining negotiations, pay data and compensation, organizational development and effectiveness, and training.
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