Designed to address the demand for qualified talent by local high-growth startup companies, the new Athens Talent Partnership intends to increase the local talent pool in order to support the continued growth of local startup businesses making a positive economic impact in Athens. In partnership with local economic development nonprofit Four Athens, a handful of Athens based companies are combining forces to identify and share best practices for attracting and retaining a broader talent pool locally and regionally, and strategize long-term solutions for sustaining a quality local workforce prepared to meet the growing need for new talent in the future, particularly in the tech sector. The founding members of the new Athens Talent Partnership are Docebo NA, RoundSphere, Partner Software, and Peachtree Medical Billing.

The initial efforts of the Athens Talent Partnership aim to address the challenge of efficiently and successfully connecting local companies to a qualified workforce in three ways: 1) providing education and training to better prepare local job-seekers for a career in the tech sector, 2) highlighting the variety of jobs and career opportunities available with Athens based companies through targeted regional marketing and outreach, and 3) facilitating the best match between job-seekers and available opportunities.

"Startups in Athens are growing and their needs are becoming more specialized. Instead of hiring generalists that can handle a large range of duties, they are seeking deeper expertise not only in the tech-specific positions, but also in roles such as product management, business intelligence, marketing, and human resources. We need the best talent if we are to maintain that successful momentum and continue to grow,” explains Brandon Checketts of RoundSphere.

Alessio Artuffo of Docebo went on to say, “The workforce has changed-- globally and locally. Opportunities exist in Athens now that people need to know about. Attracting the best and brightest to Athens, and retaining a quality talent pool in our town, that’s what we’re trying to do.”

In the coming months, Athens Talent Partnership companies will participate in a series of regional outreach efforts to attract new professionals to Athens and discuss their talent needs, coordinate information sessions with experts in talent management to share hiring and retention best practices, and hold events specifically designed to link senior management talent to local startup companies.