In 2024, Northspan’s Ali Bilden Camps led NORTHFORCE through a major website refresh, multiple large-scale networking events, and many other initiatives to help candidates and employers connect across northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Combining subject matter expertise from across sectors in workforce development, the NORTHFORCE Advisory Committee met four times throughout the year to provide input and guide the direction of our engagement with employers, talent pools, economic development agencies, and more groups.
Here’s a recap of key projects from the last twelve months:
Returnships Toolkit
With support from Age Friendly Minnesota, NORTHFORCE developed a Returnships Toolkit. This free resource is available to help employers bring individuals who have taken a break from the workforce back into work settings. Employers can use the toolkit to design and implement effective returnship programs. They can also reach out to Ali for support with hiring and talent retention.
Regional Career Fairs
Building on the success of previous installments, a fifth edition of the Discover Healthcare career exploration series took place at The College of St. Scholastica in October. The event featured booths for a variety of healthcare professions and provided an experiential dimension for area students. NORTHFORCE also facilitated four career fairs in the spring at the Minnesota North College campuses of Hibbing, Grand Rapids, Ely, and International Falls.
Workforce Solutions Series
A second round of events for the Workforce Solutions Series (pictured above) kicked off in October and will run through January 2025. Presented by the Duluth Workforce Development Board, the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, and Northspan, these events take place at Clyde Iron Works and explore themes of relevance to regional employers, providing data along with expert insights. Topics for this cycle are: “Adapting to Remote, Hybrid, and Flexible Models,” “Collaboration Across Sectors,” “Enhancing Duluth’s Appeal as a Work Destination,” and “Enhancing Culture and Inclusivity.”
New Website and DAWN Webtool
The past year also saw the completion of a new website for NORTHFORCE. The digital overhaul is part of a transition that will see NORTHFORCE become a webtool within Northspan’s Driving Access to Wealth & Networks (DAWN) program in 2025. Throughout 2024, NORTHFORCE coordinated closely with DAWN on a variety of diversity, equity, and inclusion projects geared toward helping entrepreneurs and small business owners start, expand, and grow their ideas and businesses. These included a small business resource event at Clyde Iron, a Showcase and Pitch Competition in Grand Rapids, and a number of tabling events throughout the region.
We’re looking forward to continuing our work with NORTHFORCE and beginning a new phase of development for this initiative in 2025! If you would like to learn more about NORTHFORCE and get involved with workforce and community development efforts in the region, connect with Ali.