This document outlines a collaborative regional workforce development project between multiple organizations in the Fargo-Moorhead region. The project aims to address the workforce gap between available jobs and qualified workers through four main strategies: Cultivate the local talent pipeline, attract new talent to the region, build financial mobility and support for low-wage workers, and encourage innovative solutions. Specific near-term action steps are proposed for each strategy, focusing on areas like career clusters, marketing videos, housing and childcare assistance, and an online job listing site. The timeline spans from immediate implementation to three to five years for full impact.

1. Collaborating to Support Regional Workforce Development

2. Collaborating to Support Regional Workforce Development
Tim Beaton
Executive Director
Craig Whitney
President/CEO
Jim Gartin
President
Kristi Huber
President
Charley Johnson
President/CEO
Steering Committee Leadership

3. Collaborating to Support Regional Workforce Development
Thank You to Our Investors

4. …to address a growing workforce gap between
available positions and qualified workers
…to enhance the region’s
economic development competitiveness
WHY THIS PROJECT?

5. GOAL:
To strengthen the regional workforce system
to support regional employers and to address
the gap between available positions and
qualified workers.

6. DETERMINING THE TACTICS
Cost
Impact Timeframe
Existence

7. As a whole, our efforts should have consistent messaging to grow our
community and fill jobs. Any content sent should include some kind of
branding.
Drive traffic to one main central clearinghouse to learn more about
moving to Fargo-Moorhead, find employment, and opportunities for
things to do.
OVERARCHING IDEA

8. July 2016 August September
OVERARCHING IDEA TIMELINE

9. STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
CULTIVATE:
Strengthen the
pipeline of local
talent to
support
employers in
the region.
ATTRACT:
Enhance and
coordinate
efforts to bring
new talent to
the region.
BUILD:
Develop a
framework for
financial self-
sufficiency and
upward mobility
for workers in
low-wage and
basic-skill jobs.
INNOVATE:
Encourage the
development of
innovative
solutions to
address the
region’s
workforce-
related
challenges.

10.  Career Clusters
 Quality of Place
• Tri-College Unity Council
1. CULTIVATE

11. WHAT’S NEXT FOR CULTIVATE?
Career
Clusters
Tri-College
Unity Council
Action Step 1 Action Step 2 Action Step 3
• Tri-College
Commission group
determines which
programs and majors,
from each institution,
will be listed under
the career clusters.
• Start a pilot program
based on the FM
Student Unity
Council’s plan to
engage students in
the FM area with the
community and the
local businesses
• Determine career
task force members
for each cluster.
Membership will be
comprised of k-12,
higher education,
and industry
representatives.
• Cultivate Career sub-
committee meets to
create descriptions
and common skills for
each career cluster.
• Continue building the
council, adding
committee members
from the 5 institutions
that are part of the tri-
college system

12.  Building Awareness:
Consistent Messaging & Central Clearinghouse
• Short Videos to Promote FM Area
2. ATTRACT

13. THE UNEXPECTED – EDC VIDEO

14. FROSTIVAL – CVB VIDEO

15.  Building Awareness:
Consistent Messaging & Central Clearinghouse
• Short Videos to Promote FM Area
• Alumni Outreach
 Support Employers
 Livability
• Welcome Kits
2. ATTRACT

16. WHAT’S NEXT FOR ATTRACT?
Action Step 1 Action Step 2 Action Step 3
• Enlist working
groups across a
spectrum of social
media to actively
share on Social
Toaster
• Identify other
groups, reaching
out to share about
our area
• Re-engage with
alumni associations
at all local colleges
• Pursue further
distribution of
videos through
cable and
broadcast outlets
• Reacquaint general
public through
targeted radio
campaigns (i.e. talk
radio)

17.  Removing Barriers
1. Transportation
2. Housing
3. Childcare
3. BUILD

18.  Housing
• Multi- and Single-Family Housing
• Homebuyer Education Programs
• State Housing Policy or Programs
3. BUILD

19. WHAT’S NEXT FOR BUILD (HOUSING)?
Action Step 1 Action Step 2 Action Step 3
• Lobbying city,
county and state
planners
• Convene planners,
developers,
funders,
contractors,
realtors, suppliers
and employers
• Community-wide
housing
collaborative
• Prioritize actionable
items for affordable
housing
development and
sustainability

20.  Childcare
• Child care scholarships for
working families
• Employer Supported Childcare Coop
• State Policy and Projects
3. BUILD

21.  Childcare scholarships
for working families and
the impact on
workforce development:
Andrea & Brandon’s Story
3. BUILD

22. WHAT’S NEXT FOR BUILD (CHILDCARE)?
Action Step 1 Action Step 2 Action Step 3
• Promote quality
childcare as a
workforce
development issue
rather than a social
issue.
• United Way is
actively recruiting
corporate partners
that are interested
in pursuing an
Employer
Supported Child
Care Cooperative.
• Encourage
discussions with
local and state
legislative leaders
that will support the
need for funding
and loans that will
promote the growth
of quality child care
centers which will
increase the
number of spots
available for our
community.

23.  Central Job Listing
and Information Site
 Solution Forum with Incentives
4. INNOVATE

24. WHAT’S NEXT FOR INNOVATE?
Action Step 1 Action Step 2
• Once the central
clearinghouse site has
been created, include a
micro-site specific to job
searching. Employers can
post openings and allow
people to search jobs
based on their specific
needs, interests and
availability.
• XPRIZE – Engage people
with our community by
organizing an event or
challenge that would allow
them to share ideas for
solving important issues in
our region.

25. TIMELINE
Cultivate Now Summer ‘16 Fall 2016
Attract Now Fall 2016 Beginning 2017
Build Now 3 Years 5 Years
Innovate Now Fall 2016

26. QUESTIONS
?

27. Collaborating to Support Regional Workforce Development
THANK YOU