TSMA Meeting:Innovative Workforce Solutions
2022-03-01 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | Location TBD
TSMA General Meeting on March 1 - Postponed to April. More details to come.

Topic: Innovative Workforce Solutions The Inclusive Workforce Employer Designation

Speakers: Chet Bodin, Carlye Carlson, Amy Johnson

Description:

Manufacturers in the tri-state area are building more inclusive workplaces. Minnesota's workforce is becoming increasingly diverse most workforce growth in the coming decade will be from Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) workers. The Inclusive Workforce Employer or I-WE designation is an innovative workforce solution that emerged from discussions among several organizations in Northwest Minnesota brought together by the Regional Workforce Alliance.

Ultimately, employers aim to leverage the I-WE designation to recruit and retain employees from an increasingly diverse talent pool, and harness that diversity into a competitive advantage. Indeed, regional labor market information demonstrates the need for such a bold initiative.

Join us to hear from your manufacturing peer, Brunswick New York Mills Operation, talk about their experience in creating an inclusive workplace. Chet Bodin will talk about the Inclusive Workforce Employer (I-WE) Designation and the Community Workforce Inclusion Council (CWIC). A Community Workforce Inclusion Council (CWIC) brings together a diverse group of community members to provide feedback to area employers as they develop inclusive workforce practices, in effect improving long-term employment outcomes. Employers who engage with CWICs and demonstrate an inclusive culture are recognized with the Inclusive Workforce Employer (I-WE) Designation. Recognized I-WE employers are promoted as such within the communities and networks represented by the CWIC.

For more information about the I-WE program, please visit https://www.rwa-nw.org/inclusive-workforce-employer or contact DEED Workforce Strategy Consultant and I-WE coordinator Chet Bodin at chet.bodin@state.mn.us.

About the Speakers:

Chet Bodin is a Business Development Manager for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and long-time resident of Greater Minnesota. Chet supports individual businesses and industry sector partnerships by connecting them to statewide workforce and economic development resources. Prior to this role, he served as a regional labor market analyst for DEED and a Civil Affairs NCO in the Minnesota National Guard.

Carlye Carlson is a Human Resources Manager at Brunswick New York Mills. She has been in the human resources field for nearly 15 years in a few different industries, but finds manufacturing to be her favorite. Her family (Husband and 2 kids) farm near Parkers Prairie and enjoy family time and the outdoors. She enjoys supporting employees in whatever their needs may be, solving problems and wearing many hats to support businesses.

Amy Johnson

Emerging from a career in Human Resources, Amy Johnson is a workforce consultant bridging community partnerships to overcome workforce challenges throughout the region. There are many workforce development solutions and initiatives out there. Sometimes the challenge is not only to gain a clear understanding of all that is available, but also to match the appropriate tools/resources to the business need. Often these workforce tools lack a human connection.

CCS's job is to help employers navigate workforce solutions and bridge connections. CCS provides sustainable solutions designed to give employers more control over their workforce through optimized recruitment and retention processes. To identify gaps of opportunity, CCS offers a free consultation and an unbiased, outsider perspective. To identify gaps of opportunity in your strategy to attract and retain talent, CCS offers a 90-minute on-site or virtual workforce strategy session.

Tour: TBD
