OSHKOSH, Wis.- More than 500 people packed into the Oshkosh Convention Center Wednesday. They're all there attending the 12th annual NEW North Summit.
"We can solve these problems, but we have to be able to work together," said NEW North executive director, Jerry Murphy.
Working together is what the NEW North Summit is all about and they've been making a difference, especially in recent years.
"Over a three year period we've essentially dropped down the pre-recession numbers," said Murphy.
Now the challenge is changing.
"We need about 4,000 more I.T. professionals throughout our region by 2025," said I.T. Alliance chairwoman, Kathi Seifer.
As the information technology field grows, they struggle to fill open positions.
"I.T. talent is needed for all industries manufacturing, health care, insurance, education, services across the region," said Seifert.
The other big one is manufacturing, in fact a new study by the NEW Manufacturing Alliance shows 96 percent of manufacturing companies expect to grow this year, but there's a downfall to that.
"Six years ago 29 percent were concerned they couldn't find the workforce they needed, where this year 78 percent, that's a huge concern," said NEW Manufacturing Alliance director, Ann Franz.
Now they're trying to fill those voids across Northeast Wisconsin by working with companies across the region.
