Joe Bamberger, Managing Partner at Emerge, has been recognized with the DBusiness Magazine’s 30 in Their 30’s award for his outstanding contributions to talent development and workforce innovation. This honor highlights Joe’s pivotal role in reshaping how Michigan companies approach talent acquisition and development.

Emerge, under Joe Bamberger’s leadership, serves as a bridge between employers and the vast array of talent sources available. Joe’s primary focus is on connecting employers with diverse talent pools, ranging from high schools and career and technical education (CTE) programs to trade schools and boot camps. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with educational institutions to understand and leverage the full spectrum of talent available.

“Creating relationships with educational institutions is the majority of our work,” says Joe Bamberger. “The funnel into full-time positions is the area we focus on most.”

Joe’s approach to talent aggregation mirrors a supply chain model, where students are the raw material shaped by education and eventually utilized by employers. To streamline this process, Emerge developed EmergeNET, a technology platform launched in 2020. This innovative platform combines elements of LinkedIn and a dating app, allowing students to create digital profiles with resumes, explore career paths using virtual reality and gameplay, and develop their credentials in a simulated yet safe environment.

Beyond technology, Joe’s involvement with organizations like the Michigan Career Educator and Employer Alliance has been instrumental. Serving as its president, Joe has facilitated connections between educational institutions and companies, ensuring a seamless transition from education to employment for young talent.

For Joe Bamberger, the key to recruiting success lies in valuing and investing in younger talent. He advocates for companies to not only brand themselves as desirable employers but also actively engage with educational institutions and public entities to promote employment opportunities.

“We need to work with people who buy into the philosophy of entry-level talent,” Joe emphasizes. “Many still want someone who can solve their problem right away, not invest in a couple of years of developing someone.”

As Michigan positions itself as a hub for young professionals, Joe Bamberger’s vision and leadership serve as a guiding light, encouraging companies to prioritize talent development and foster a culture of growth and innovation. His recognition with the DBusiness Magazine’s 30 in Their 30’s award further cements his status as a trailblazer in the field of workforce development.