What is Tech Valley Connect?
Tech Valley Connect is a consortium of professional and PhD hiring employers in the Capital Region with the focus of providing relocation resources for new and recent hires and their families. The organizations belonging to the consortium commit to high-level informational interviews for ‘accompanying spouses’ of hired PhDs, MDs, executives and professionals. We build meaningful links to the community at large and help with cultural transitions for families coming from around the world. Our well rounded, comprehensive support is a mainstay for new families and they have access to our services for one year.
Our mission:
TechValleyConnect’s goal is to provide a broad-based networking foundation created by building both professional and personal ties to the region. By helping families acclimate to a new location, we feel we’ve addressed the challenge of professional and personal isolation which drive some to leave their organizations soon after they arrive. We feel this program serves as a powerful recruitment tool, in terms of the candidate being made aware there is a structure in place which addresses the escalating need for dual career networking as well as a significant retention method, by linking new families to meaningful resources in the surrounding community.
Bottom-line:
The research shows that employers are now more than ever, keenly aware of the potential costs of domestic and international relocations – more than two-thirds (67%) have implemented cost-containment programs while only one-third (33%) had such programs in the mid ’90s.
“Companies that provide ongoing family transition support services incur a minimal upfront expense that is certain to yield incredible long-term benefits,” said Lauren Herring, CRP, GMS, director of IMPACT Group, St. Louis, MO. “We have found that spousal support services can earn companies incredible amounts of goodwill and loyalty from their employees. Spouses are not always aware such supplemental transitional services are available, so when companies do offer such longer-term services that support spouses and families throughout the transition and acclimation process, there is no price tag for the loyalty and dedication a family feels toward the company throughout the assignment.”
Organizations that adhere to preventative measures with regard to the accompanying partner and family will be able to offset the incredible budget drains of the past decade. Networking is the key to building a stronghold in the area, both personally and professionally.
