Cold calling gets you in the door, but it rarely builds the kind of employer relationship that keeps job seekers employed and businesses coming back. Too many organizations treat employer engagement as a series of one-off asks instead of a relationship that deepens over time. This training reframes employer engagement as a full cycle and introduces co-creation as a model for building partnerships where employers have real ownership in the process, not just a seat at the table. From identifying the right prospects to navigating tough conversations when a placement doesn't go as planned, you'll walk away with practical tools for moving a contract from a first conversation to a trusted, reciprocal partnership that benefits your jobseekers and their business alike.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Strategically target a diverse portfolio of business partners based on program data 

• Provide strong, responsive customer service to meet business partners’ needs 

• Regularly solicit business partner feedback and maintain honest, regular communication 

• Transition your business contacts into business partners