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Supporting the Evolving Needs of Public Pension HR Professionals Through Education, Networking Opportunities
NCPERS newest in-person program, the Public Pension HR Summit, will draw public pension HR professionals and administrators from across the country for networking opportunities, peer-to-peer learning, and hands-on training.
By: Hank Kim, Executive Director and Counsel, NCPERSLike many of our member pension funds, NCPERS operates with a small staff. As we've recently grown to six full-time employees, I've started to fully realize and appreciate the challenges that human resources professionals face. From navigating an abrupt shift towards remote work during the pandemic to adapting to a new normal (if that exists) of hybrid/remote/in-person variations, the past few years have not been easy—even for a dedicated HR team.
The public sector has faced long-time challenges with recruitment and retention, and these were only exacerbated by the Great Resignation. In 2021, NCPERS asked its members about these challenges, and found that more than half of public pensions were struggling to attract and retain skilled staff. This led to the development of our annual Public Pension Compensation Survey.
But as I've learned, HR goes beyond just recruitment and retention. It is a complex and ever-evolving field that serves a vital function. So, it made perfect sense to continue to expand our lineup of educational and networking resources to support public pension HR professionals. Late last year, we were thrilled to announce the launch of the Public Pension HR Roundtable. It's been a pleasure learning from this group of nearly 150 HR and DEI professionals (sign up here to participate).
And it is members of this roundtable that are helping to shape our newest in-person program, the Public Pension HR Summit. Held September 24-26 in Denver, this program will draw public pension HR professionals and administrators from across the country for networking opportunities, peer-to-peer learning, and hands-on training. Both the HR Roundtable and Summit were previously managed by volunteers, and NCPERS hopes to continue to grow the program with its additional resources.
We believe this program will help drive organizational success for public pensions of all sizes. But don't take it from me. One of the 2024 program directors, Steve Hazime, director of human resources, diversity, and inclusion for the Municipal Employees' Retirement System of Michigan (MERS), participated in a recent Public Pension Profile interview where he shared his perspective on the value of the program and the recent partnership.
“I believe that public pension HR professionals and administrators stand to gain a great deal from attending the Public Pension HR Summit. The program is designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing the industry, offering attendees the chance to learn from experts, network with peers, and gain practical strategies for enhancing their HR practices and driving organizational success. The Summit's focus on networking and knowledge-sharing makes it a valuable opportunity for professionals looking to stay informed and connected within the industry.”
NCPERS is working closely with the program directors to build the agenda, but we also want to hear from you. Complete this form to share your topics of interest at this year's event. We hope to see you in Denver later this year at the Public Pension HR Summit, so be sure to sign up here for event updates.
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