Guest Column by Valerie Kvale

For the past several months, the unemployment numbers have hovered between 3 to 4.4 percent in Freeborn County. The good news — three or four people out of 100 are looking for work. The challenge? It means that there are not enough workers to fill the open positions.

Last summer, the Southeast Minnesota Together project was developed to address the labor force shortage. Funded by Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, three regional workshops brought together more than 300 community members, business leaders, educators, elected officials and economic development/workforce staff to address this shortage. There continues to be collaboration meetings to develop ways to recruit and retain workers and address related issues.

What does all this mean locally? We have workforce challenges, and we are working on solutions. The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Education Partnership Committee has been working creatively for many years to address our labor shortage. The BEC mission statement is “to promote and develop a healthy partnership between the business and educational communities and thus improve the quality of life in the Albert Lea-Freeborn County area.” Enthusiasm and ideas flow at our monthly meetings. We all bring our own unique perspective to the team. Our committee will be presenting a series of guest columns over the next few months with ideas, calls to action and more.

What solutions are currently happening in the Albert Lea/Freeborn County area? Let’s take a look at a few of them:

The educational system has and continues to promote workforce solutions. Last fall, the Albert Lea Education Foundation announced funding of a position to grow the connections between Albert Lea High School students and local businesses. The high school’s mentoring and internship classes allow students to explore firsthand what great work opportunities exist right in our own backyard. Kudos to the committee members, many whom are ALHS grads, who are championing this piece of career education! Some may remember the high school work release programs in the 1970s and ’80s. Wages, school credits and/or work experiences were gained. That program has evolved into work-based learning, independent study courses and, in the last four years, the ALHS Youth Apprenticeship program has brought 25 students the opportunity to do career exploration and work experience with local businesses. The result? After graduation, about 35 percent of these students have been hired as permanent employees. A huge thank you goes to those businesses who are investing their commitment, time and training in building their new workforce. This year, ALHS will host a Young Adult Job Fair from 4 to 6 p.m. April 28. This new event brings employers looking for summer or part-time help directly to the ALHS students. This year, Riverland Community College, Department of Employment and Economic Development and three area chambers will bring more than 1,000 students from the region to an event called “Career Exploration: STEAM Ahead” on April 28 in Austin. This hands-on, career exploration event for students will look at their interests and how they might align with future careers. Riverland College continues to offer many career and technical education courses, programs, certificates and career counseling.

Job fairs and hiring events are gearing up. People are entering the work world or looking for a change. Local companies schedule on-site, open interviews on a regular basis. Businesses schedule hiring events at the Albert Lea Workforce Center, free of charge. On Tuesday, the Albert Lea Job and Career Fair will be from 2 to 6 p.m. at Northbridge Mall. This event moved from Riverland College campus several years ago to accommodate more businesses and jobseekers. Businesses now use staffing agencies, online job search links, print ads, social media such as Facebook and simple now hiring signs outside their businesses to advertise openings. I encourage you to explore all resources in your job search.

Businesses are getting creative in hiring. Many businesses are looking at different populations to fill their open positions. The Albert Lea HR Group is sponsoring presenters over the next three months to help highlight the special skillsets that different populations — diversity, older workers and millennials — offer. The first workshop will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Wedgewood Cove. This workshop, “Diversity and Inclusion: Consider the Possibilities” will kick off the series. Registration is $45/person and includes a buffet lunch and materials. To register for this session call the chamber at 507-373-3938.

We are excited to be able to share our committee work with the community. Watch for more career education happenings, news and information in future columns. Together we can build our workforce!

 

Valerie Kvale is the placement specialist at Workforce Development, Inc. in Albert Lea and chairwoman of the Chamber Business Education and Partnership Committee.