Processes (P)

3P3 Identifying, Analyzing, and Responding to Changing Stakeholder Needs

Western relies on several stakeholder segments to provide input regarding community and regional needs, internships and service opportunities, and needs within the job market (3C1, 3C2, Figure 3.5).

Advisory councils, such as the Regional Workforce Development Team for Healthcare, help with employment issues and to identify the outcomes required to increase area businesses’ productivity. Western participates in Chamber of Commerce initiatives such as the Institute for Industrial and Applied Life Sciences and workforce development related to new businesses.

Western employees gather information from meetings with stakeholder groups and respond to actionable items. Information is either acted upon by, or referred to, appropriate personnel or units. Communication follow-through is the responsibility of the person who acts upon the information.

For example, when a meat processing plant in St. Joseph was anticipated to draw many employees whose primary language was Spanish, the Western Institute responded. To support the employees’ transition to the community, the Institute developed Spanish courses to enhance communication between the employees and area businesses such as healthcare, banking, law enforcement, and education.

Figure 3.5 Inputs Required for Key Stakeholder

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