Craig Young

April 20, 2010

"The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that between 2008 and 2018, the replacement of retiring workers will account for 67 percent of about 51 million job openings," Craig Young told Putnam Rotarians today.

Manager of the new City National Bank branch on Hurricane Creek Road, Young is also president of Generation Putnam, a newly-organized group of young professionals which promotes community involvement, leadership growth and social networking.

With the jobs to be filled in the next ten years, Young predicts a "war for leaders."

"How do we attract leaders?" he asked. "How do we retain them?"

The next generation of leaders differ from the present generation, he said. "Young people today look for a community they want to line in, and then find a job.

"So, not only is it important to create jobs, but also to create a community that people will want to come and live in."

Generation Putnam is part of a statewide coalition of eleven local groups which began organizing three years ago. Generation West Virginia seeks to cultivate young talent from different professions representing different parts of the state.

Membership is generally ages 21 to 45, but no one is turned away, said Young.