1 00:00:02,080 --> 00:00:05,680 our um Otteril County quarterly 2 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:09,040 workforce convening. It's good to see 3 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:14,000 everyone online today. Um 4 00:00:09,040 --> 00:00:16,080 we are going to take today to um walk 5 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:19,039 through we we did a little bit of a 6 00:00:16,080 --> 00:00:21,439 refresh of the county's workforce 7 00:00:19,039 --> 00:00:23,840 strategy. And it's good to be able to to 8 00:00:21,439 --> 00:00:26,560 have this group, this recurring kind of 9 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:29,439 convening group that joins us um 10 00:00:26,560 --> 00:00:31,920 consistently to share this with um just 11 00:00:29,439 --> 00:00:34,399 because we feel like this is really um 12 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:37,280 we got a lot of feedback in this refresh 13 00:00:34,399 --> 00:00:39,600 process from folks like you, employers 14 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:41,600 and workforce partners um just to make 15 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:42,879 sure that we're still doing the work 16 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:45,440 that we should be doing right here at 17 00:00:42,879 --> 00:00:47,840 Ottertale County. So um glad to have 18 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:49,600 everyone on today. Um we are recording 19 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:51,520 today. who will send out a follow-up 20 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:55,280 email as well as the recording of 21 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:57,039 today's meeting um to to reference back 22 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:59,680 to or for anyone who missed today, they 23 00:00:57,039 --> 00:01:02,480 can watch watch later as well. So, we'll 24 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:05,280 do uh we'll walk through that OTC Works 25 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:07,040 strategy refresh today. Um and then we 26 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:08,720 also have a a new team member here at 27 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:10,799 Outerail County that we're excited to 28 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:12,880 introduce. So, we'll do that as well. 29 00:01:10,799 --> 00:01:14,880 And then um we'll most definitely have 30 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:17,439 time for some any questions or 31 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:20,240 discussion um around that strategy 32 00:01:17,439 --> 00:01:22,080 refresh or any uh burning questions that 33 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:25,119 you have for Paige, our new workforce 34 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:28,080 project manager. So we'll go ahead and 35 00:01:25,119 --> 00:01:30,479 jump right in. Um what we wanted to 36 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:32,400 start with um I think on the last 37 00:01:30,479 --> 00:01:34,479 workforce convening if if you joined us 38 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:37,040 in March, we kind of did a teaser that 39 00:01:34,479 --> 00:01:38,720 we would be updating the OTC works 40 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:41,119 workforce strategy. So, it's the 41 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:43,360 county's workforce development strategy. 42 00:01:41,119 --> 00:01:45,920 Um, as you can see here on our little 43 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:48,399 timeline, we developed that back in 2021 44 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:50,720 and five years has sure flown by fast 45 00:01:48,399 --> 00:01:53,360 and we think we've done a lot of good 46 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:55,920 work in the meantime. Um, but just felt 47 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:59,520 like it was a good good time to do a 48 00:01:55,920 --> 00:02:01,439 refresh, make sure we're still um 49 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:03,200 advancing work that is supporting our 50 00:02:01,439 --> 00:02:06,079 employers and other workforce partners 51 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:08,479 throughout the county. Um, so just to 52 00:02:06,079 --> 00:02:10,640 kind of give you a a background of some 53 00:02:08,479 --> 00:02:13,840 of that work since the strategy was 54 00:02:10,640 --> 00:02:16,000 developed back in 2021. Um, that same 55 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:17,360 year we began hosting these quarterly 56 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:19,120 workforce convenings. And we've 57 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:20,800 consistently had a really good group of 58 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:23,520 employers and workforce partners join 59 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:25,360 us. We've we've had some conversations 60 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:27,440 internally about do we keep doing these? 61 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:30,000 Are they valuable? But every time we've 62 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:32,080 got 30 to 40 people who join us. So we 63 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:33,519 continue to have these until until folks 64 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:37,040 don't show up anymore. And hopefully 65 00:02:33,519 --> 00:02:39,840 this is a good good sharing um space and 66 00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:44,000 just information gathering space um that 67 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:47,680 we've been doing since since 2021 um in 68 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:48,800 2022. Then we hosted our very first um 69 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:51,920 larger [clears throat] 70 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:55,120 format in-person workforce summit. We've 71 00:02:51,920 --> 00:02:57,200 done I think three of those since 2022. 72 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:59,440 Um, and those have been great as well to 73 00:02:57,200 --> 00:03:01,680 get everyone in the same room and really 74 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:03,040 kind of create um, we've used those as 75 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:04,879 an opportunity to create shared 76 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:07,120 realities around our labor force and 77 00:03:04,879 --> 00:03:09,519 workforce situation um, in Ottertale 78 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:13,120 County and then really more broadly even 79 00:03:09,519 --> 00:03:14,720 within the state of Minnesota. Um, as a 80 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:16,560 follow-up to that workforce that very 81 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:19,280 first workforce summit, we began sending 82 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:20,959 quarterly email newsletters. So most of 83 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:22,239 you are probably on that email 84 00:03:20,959 --> 00:03:25,040 newsletter and that's how you heard 85 00:03:22,239 --> 00:03:28,080 about today. Um, so we send those out 86 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:31,360 just as as information and resource um, 87 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:33,360 sharing. Um, that same year in 2022, we 88 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:35,360 kind of started conceptualizing what the 89 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:37,200 empowered worker program looked like. We 90 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:40,000 didn't have that name for it back then, 91 00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:41,840 but started to look at um, what 92 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:43,599 addressing barriers to employment would 93 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:46,080 look like for some of our current 94 00:03:43,599 --> 00:03:47,519 residents, current workforce, um, or 95 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:48,720 folks who are who were not in the 96 00:03:47,519 --> 00:03:50,720 workforce at the time and just 97 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:53,280 brainstorming what that could look like. 98 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:56,080 At the same time, we are also developing 99 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:59,120 the uh youth workforce navigation 100 00:03:56,080 --> 00:04:01,920 program. Um so worked really closely 101 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:05,360 with our school and education partners. 102 00:04:01,920 --> 00:04:07,840 Um and kind of started to pair them more 103 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:10,239 closely with employers in industry and 104 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:13,040 created some opportunities to have 105 00:04:10,239 --> 00:04:14,799 student learning about career paths and 106 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:18,239 um future opportunities that they could 107 00:04:14,799 --> 00:04:20,160 explore. Uh 2023 was the first year, 108 00:04:18,239 --> 00:04:22,560 first full year of that youth workforce 109 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:24,560 navigation program. Um so we really 110 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:26,639 engaged deeply with our high schools and 111 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:29,040 employers for some youth exposure to 112 00:04:26,639 --> 00:04:32,639 various different careers and pathways. 113 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:34,720 Um in 2023 as well kind of continuing 114 00:04:32,639 --> 00:04:36,240 that brainstorming with empowered worker 115 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:37,600 but then also just zooming out and 116 00:04:36,240 --> 00:04:39,840 looking at the broader workforce 117 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:42,560 development kind of ecosystem. We did 118 00:04:39,840 --> 00:04:45,520 what we call the gap analysis. We talk 119 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:47,919 to our workforce partners, employers, 120 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:49,600 um, community action partners, folks 121 00:04:47,919 --> 00:04:51,440 within the county here, within our human 122 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:53,759 services and probation departments to 123 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:55,360 really get a good feel of what they wish 124 00:04:53,759 --> 00:04:58,479 they could do more of, what they felt 125 00:04:55,360 --> 00:05:00,080 like was missing. Um, and had some 126 00:04:58,479 --> 00:05:04,240 really good conversations that came out 127 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:07,759 of that. um and and and continued the 128 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:10,000 work with youth in 2024, but then also 129 00:05:07,759 --> 00:05:12,000 uh and kind of wrapped that up in 2024, 130 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:14,000 focus on sustainability 131 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:15,680 um within our schools. Really saw some 132 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:18,000 success with our schools, kind of taking 133 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:20,240 that work and leading it on their own. 134 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:22,479 Um and then kind of switched gears to 135 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:24,000 develop the empowered worker program 136 00:05:22,479 --> 00:05:26,000 with some of the information that we 137 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:28,800 gathered from our gap analysis the 138 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:31,360 previous year. um launched that with 139 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:34,720 some support from some deed funding in 140 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:37,440 2024, continued that work really deeply 141 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:40,479 in 2025. That was a a big priority in 142 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:42,000 2025 for us. Um serving individuals with 143 00:05:40,479 --> 00:05:43,759 barriers to employment and then 144 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:46,160 providing that training and securing 145 00:05:43,759 --> 00:05:49,759 employment work kind of all wrapped into 146 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:53,680 the empowered worker program. And um 147 00:05:49,759 --> 00:05:55,759 through that that long um 5 years and 148 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:58,400 even going back before that we were also 149 00:05:55,759 --> 00:06:00,240 at the county involved in collaborating 150 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:03,120 with Ottertale Lakes Country on resident 151 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:05,120 recruitment efforts um and that's really 152 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:07,759 kind of again focused on bringing more 153 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:11,039 folks to the county um throughout that 154 00:06:07,759 --> 00:06:14,080 time. So that leads us to 2026. Um when 155 00:06:11,039 --> 00:06:17,280 we when we did our refresh of the 156 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:20,639 strategy um and I think we've talked 157 00:06:17,280 --> 00:06:22,880 about a lot um OTC works stands for the 158 00:06:20,639 --> 00:06:24,880 OTC is Ottertale County but also we've 159 00:06:22,880 --> 00:06:26,479 broke it down and um called it 160 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:29,440 opportunities, training and connection 161 00:06:26,479 --> 00:06:30,960 and those aligned with some action areas 162 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:33,199 where we really focused a lot of our 163 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:35,199 work on. So these next few slides kind 164 00:06:33,199 --> 00:06:36,800 of just dig in a little bit deeper to a 165 00:06:35,199 --> 00:06:40,400 lot of the work that was highlighted in 166 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:41,680 that timeline. Um so opportunities are 167 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:43,360 really focused on promoting the 168 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:46,479 opportunities and the resources for 169 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:48,560 workforce in Ottertale County. Um one of 170 00:06:46,479 --> 00:06:51,199 those efforts is what we call on the map 171 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:53,520 efforts. So making sure that people know 172 00:06:51,199 --> 00:06:55,199 and Otter County is top of mind for them 173 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:58,080 when they're thinking about relocating 174 00:06:55,199 --> 00:07:01,120 to a place to live and work. um that is 175 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:02,720 really has been led by Ottertale Lakes 176 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:05,199 Country and then the county collaborates 177 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:08,319 where we can. Um through that effort we 178 00:07:05,199 --> 00:07:10,240 did a a video docu series with Corey 179 00:07:08,319 --> 00:07:12,639 Hepa that we called Rural by Choice that 180 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:15,599 really highlighted the the lifestyle of 181 00:07:12,639 --> 00:07:17,440 a rural area. Um talked about what it 182 00:07:15,599 --> 00:07:20,800 what it felt like to live here and work 183 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:23,199 here. Um, we've had, like I said, that 184 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:25,199 ongoing resident recruitment, marketing, 185 00:07:23,199 --> 00:07:27,599 as well as some some really creative 186 00:07:25,199 --> 00:07:29,680 partnerships with, uh, Gopher athletics 187 00:07:27,599 --> 00:07:32,319 and just some some various different 188 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:35,120 colleges and schools to do advertising 189 00:07:32,319 --> 00:07:37,680 and then student and athlete engagement 190 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:40,560 opportunities, too. Um, and then talent 191 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:43,199 tourism is another um, initiative under 192 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:45,120 that work, really building a pipeline of 193 00:07:43,199 --> 00:07:48,080 students who may think about moving back 194 00:07:45,120 --> 00:07:49,599 to a rural area when they finish school. 195 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:51,039 Um 196 00:07:49,599 --> 00:07:52,720 along with that in partnership with 197 00:07:51,039 --> 00:07:55,440 Ottertell Lakes Country, we had launched 198 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:58,400 our jobs portal back in 2021 that is 199 00:07:55,440 --> 00:08:00,479 still operating. It's a single automated 200 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:02,319 feed of jobs available throughout the 201 00:08:00,479 --> 00:08:04,639 county that lives on Ottertale Lakes 202 00:08:02,319 --> 00:08:07,520 country's website and really provides a 203 00:08:04,639 --> 00:08:09,599 central location for job seekers to look 204 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:11,599 for what's available as far as jobs go 205 00:08:09,599 --> 00:08:13,199 within Ottertale County. So that is 206 00:08:11,599 --> 00:08:15,520 still operating. Still does get really 207 00:08:13,199 --> 00:08:18,479 good traffic living on that website and 208 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:20,000 that's an ongoing effort for us. 209 00:08:18,479 --> 00:08:22,960 Um here I just have a couple of 210 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:24,400 snapshots of you know we have in 211 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:26,879 partnership with Ottertale Lakes Country 212 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:29,759 they do featured job posts. They kind of 213 00:08:26,879 --> 00:08:32,000 highlight again the the lifestyle of 214 00:08:29,759 --> 00:08:34,080 Ottertale County um through some 215 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:36,479 different uh so social media marketing 216 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:39,440 and then ads and then again some of 217 00:08:36,479 --> 00:08:41,599 those more um engaging experiences where 218 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:43,839 we've had and invited students to come 219 00:08:41,599 --> 00:08:46,320 and experience Otter County as well. So 220 00:08:43,839 --> 00:08:48,320 we've got a couple of U of M um 221 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:50,240 University of Minnesota uh volleyball 222 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:52,399 players that came up for a visit and 223 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:54,560 then as well as some some students from 224 00:08:52,399 --> 00:08:56,480 the U of M too. So that's been some 225 00:08:54,560 --> 00:08:59,680 really fun um engaging and 226 00:08:56,480 --> 00:09:02,240 transformative work with those students. 227 00:08:59,680 --> 00:09:04,080 Um jumping into the second action area 228 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:05,680 is really focused on training and I kind 229 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:08,399 of highlighted a couple of these pieces 230 00:09:05,680 --> 00:09:10,880 already. Um what we bucket into that 231 00:09:08,399 --> 00:09:13,120 action area is our in-person workforce 232 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:15,760 summits. these quarterly workforce 233 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:19,120 convenings, um the email newsletters 234 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:22,399 that go out and then um didn't mention 235 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:24,480 this prior, but uh have really found a 236 00:09:22,399 --> 00:09:26,640 great partnership with MState in their 237 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:29,360 workforce development solutions um kind 238 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:30,959 of arm to do leadership and mental 239 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:33,120 health first aid training that we 240 00:09:30,959 --> 00:09:35,040 offered to employers in Ottertale County 241 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:36,880 at a discounted price for their 242 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:39,839 workforce to go through. So, that was a 243 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:41,760 great partnership as well. Um and then 244 00:09:39,839 --> 00:09:43,360 jumping into the third action area is 245 00:09:41,760 --> 00:09:45,440 connections. That's really where the 246 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:48,640 bulk of our work has been for the past 247 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:50,000 five years. Um we, you know, talked 248 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:52,560 briefly already about the youth 249 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:55,279 workforce navigation program. That was 250 00:09:52,560 --> 00:09:56,959 um we leveraged some some state funding 251 00:09:55,279 --> 00:09:58,880 from the youth skills training grant to 252 00:09:56,959 --> 00:10:02,959 really get that going. And with that 253 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:05,279 funding, we're able to offer um a number 254 00:10:02,959 --> 00:10:07,519 of field trips with anywhere from 15 to 255 00:10:05,279 --> 00:10:11,040 60 students that got to go out for a day 256 00:10:07,519 --> 00:10:12,320 and experience um what a what working in 257 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:13,839 Ottertale County and different 258 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:16,560 industries looked like. So we did 259 00:10:13,839 --> 00:10:18,640 manufacturing tours, healthcare tours, 260 00:10:16,560 --> 00:10:22,000 um lots of different variety, 261 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:23,600 agriculture, all those things. Um I also 262 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:25,360 talked about building that workbased 263 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:27,120 learning capacity within our schools so 264 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:29,040 that there is sustainability of those 265 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:30,160 efforts. So worked really closely with a 266 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:33,120 lot of the workbased learning 267 00:10:30,160 --> 00:10:35,040 coordinators throughout the county um to 268 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:38,480 really build their connections to 269 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:40,399 industry um kind of just learn and build 270 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:43,360 their skills with engaging with those 271 00:10:40,399 --> 00:10:45,760 employers um and then obviously that 272 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:47,519 helps sustain those efforts too. So it's 273 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:49,760 really great to see some of those those 274 00:10:47,519 --> 00:10:52,320 coordinators pick that up and and have 275 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:54,320 really um had a lot of success with 276 00:10:52,320 --> 00:10:57,440 their individual school programs in 277 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:59,200 that. Um, we had built a K12 navigator 278 00:10:57,440 --> 00:11:02,079 directory which was kind of a similar to 279 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:03,760 the jobs portal but um more generalized 280 00:11:02,079 --> 00:11:05,120 to employers that were willing to 281 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:06,959 partner with schools on various 282 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:08,560 different activities. Everything from 283 00:11:06,959 --> 00:11:11,040 hosting a field trip to donating 284 00:11:08,560 --> 00:11:13,279 materials. Um, so that was a great kind 285 00:11:11,040 --> 00:11:16,399 of one-stop shop for our schools and our 286 00:11:13,279 --> 00:11:19,440 businesses to to leverage. 287 00:11:16,399 --> 00:11:21,600 um built some employer and parent guides 288 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:24,240 too just to share good information and 289 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:26,240 make sure that those uh those efforts 290 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:28,560 were able to sustain and that people 291 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:30,800 were equipped with best practices and 292 00:11:28,560 --> 00:11:33,440 then also had convened a a group of 293 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:35,200 employer and partner um employers and 294 00:11:33,440 --> 00:11:37,680 partners in an advisory committee to 295 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:39,600 guide that work as well. Um we don't 296 00:11:37,680 --> 00:11:41,600 talk too much about it under workforce 297 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:43,440 but it definitely is part of our our 298 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:45,279 workforce strategy and that's childcare 299 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:47,120 capacity expansion. that's still a need 300 00:11:45,279 --> 00:11:50,000 that we hear from employers and and 301 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:52,880 workforce labor force often. Um, in that 302 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:54,880 work, we've done a number of rounds for 303 00:11:52,880 --> 00:11:59,040 uh direct provider grants to support 304 00:11:54,880 --> 00:12:01,519 their businesses. Um, we have leveraged 305 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:04,800 uh some West Central Initiative grant 306 00:12:01,519 --> 00:12:06,560 funding to work with um some child care 307 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:09,440 project managers that provide support 308 00:12:06,560 --> 00:12:11,519 and technical assistance both direct to 309 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:14,560 providers but also for community 310 00:12:11,519 --> 00:12:16,959 projects. Um and that's that community 311 00:12:14,560 --> 00:12:19,360 project advancement piece as well. So 312 00:12:16,959 --> 00:12:22,959 have had a a support role in a number of 313 00:12:19,360 --> 00:12:25,600 projects in um with the expansion of a 314 00:12:22,959 --> 00:12:28,959 center in PUM in partnership with a few 315 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:30,959 employers and their support. Um 316 00:12:28,959 --> 00:12:33,040 as well as the more recent project in 317 00:12:30,959 --> 00:12:36,079 Ottertale with a couple of twin homes 318 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:38,000 expanding capacity in that community. um 319 00:12:36,079 --> 00:12:42,000 as well as an employer here in Fergus 320 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:44,000 Falls expanding um some of some 321 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:46,639 community capacity and and building twin 322 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:48,160 homes as well to expand that. Um so 323 00:12:46,639 --> 00:12:49,839 that's been some really exciting work 324 00:12:48,160 --> 00:12:51,760 and it's peripheral to workforce, but we 325 00:12:49,839 --> 00:12:53,680 really feel like it is a a key piece of 326 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:56,240 that too. So I have a couple of 327 00:12:53,680 --> 00:12:59,519 snapshots here of mostly that youth 328 00:12:56,240 --> 00:13:02,240 youth workforce engagement um work. So 329 00:12:59,519 --> 00:13:05,519 this is the picture of um some some 330 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:07,600 tours that were offered with students um 331 00:13:05,519 --> 00:13:11,279 in healthcare and this one specifically 332 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:13,519 with Ring Doll EMT um career pathways. 333 00:13:11,279 --> 00:13:15,360 There was some internships as well. We 334 00:13:13,519 --> 00:13:17,120 had some great employers that offered 335 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:19,440 internships and really that hands-on 336 00:13:17,120 --> 00:13:21,279 learning experience for students. So in 337 00:13:19,440 --> 00:13:24,480 the top left corner that's a student who 338 00:13:21,279 --> 00:13:25,920 did an internship with Shoremaster. Um, 339 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:27,920 and like I said, a number of other 340 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:29,519 employers who hosted students in various 341 00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:32,000 different capacities, which was awesome 342 00:13:29,519 --> 00:13:34,079 to see. And then that K12 navigator 343 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:35,760 directory and the the parents guide is 344 00:13:34,079 --> 00:13:37,519 pictured here as well, just as good 345 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:39,760 resources. 346 00:13:37,519 --> 00:13:42,800 Um, and that kind of leads us to what 347 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:44,880 has been our our core focus of the last 348 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:46,800 year, two years I would say now I 349 00:13:44,880 --> 00:13:48,880 suppose. Um, and that's the empowered 350 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:50,399 worker program. So that program provides 351 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:53,040 training and supportive navigation 352 00:13:50,399 --> 00:13:55,200 services to individuals already in 353 00:13:53,040 --> 00:13:56,959 Ottertale County that address or that 354 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:59,440 need some kind of support addressing 355 00:13:56,959 --> 00:14:02,160 barriers to employment to obtain high 356 00:13:59,440 --> 00:14:05,600 demand livable wage jobs. Um those 357 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:08,160 participants have have worked with a a 358 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:10,639 key um staff member here at Otto County 359 00:14:08,160 --> 00:14:12,240 to develop an individualized plan and 360 00:14:10,639 --> 00:14:14,560 then receive those individualized 361 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:16,800 support services that help them remove 362 00:14:14,560 --> 00:14:19,120 the barriers during their kind of career 363 00:14:16,800 --> 00:14:20,720 exploration phase and then achieving 364 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:23,440 whatever sort of training is necessary 365 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:26,639 for them to then gain employment. So, 366 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:28,480 um, we've had that program has been 367 00:14:26,639 --> 00:14:30,079 really, really awesome and and quite 368 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:31,600 frankly life-changing for some of the 369 00:14:30,079 --> 00:14:33,760 participants and we're excited to 370 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:36,240 continue that with with some upcoming 371 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:38,720 changes here um, this year and going 372 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:40,800 forward. So, have a couple of of 373 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:42,240 snapshots of some success stories of 374 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:46,079 participants that went through that 375 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:47,680 program um, that are all available on 376 00:14:46,079 --> 00:14:49,600 the county's website or various 377 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:52,880 different news news sources. So, it's 378 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:55,120 been fun to to feature them as well. 379 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:59,040 Um, so with all of that obviously 380 00:14:55,120 --> 00:15:02,160 leading us to today, um, it's been five 381 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:03,920 years of a lot of really exciting work 382 00:15:02,160 --> 00:15:06,639 and wanted to make sure that that 383 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:09,120 exciting work continues and is still 384 00:15:06,639 --> 00:15:11,519 serving our employers and our workforce 385 00:15:09,120 --> 00:15:13,120 partners throughout the county. And so 386 00:15:11,519 --> 00:15:14,399 I'm going to turn it over to Amy and 387 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:17,040 she's going to kind of talk through what 388 00:15:14,399 --> 00:15:19,120 our what our process was for doing that 389 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:22,800 true strategy refresh and doing some 390 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:26,079 engagement with with those partners. 391 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:27,600 Great. Thanks, Sarah. Uh, so I think I 392 00:15:26,079 --> 00:15:30,160 know most of the folks on the call, but 393 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:31,680 there might be a few who are um I'm not 394 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:33,920 uh haven't been able to connect with 395 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:35,839 previously, but my name is Amy Baldwin. 396 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:39,279 I'm the community development director 397 00:15:35,839 --> 00:15:42,560 here at Ottertale County. And uh really 398 00:15:39,279 --> 00:15:44,880 um uh glad to be here today and and have 399 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:46,720 such a great group to to talk through 400 00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:49,600 where we're looking to go into the 401 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:51,600 future from our workforce um development 402 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:54,639 effort. So, as Sarah said, you know, we 403 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:56,399 we kind of were um time flies a surprise 404 00:15:54,639 --> 00:15:59,279 to see that it had been five years since 405 00:15:56,399 --> 00:16:02,240 we had created that original OTC works 406 00:15:59,279 --> 00:16:05,600 strategy uh with with partners and and 407 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:08,480 informed through various um mechanisms 408 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:11,360 uh back in 2021 and thinking about how 409 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:14,959 things have changed. you know, 2021 410 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:17,120 um we were still definitely in um 411 00:16:14,959 --> 00:16:19,519 pandemic uh time frame, you know, 412 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:21,600 impacts to employers resulting from that 413 00:16:19,519 --> 00:16:24,320 and and have really shifted. Things have 414 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:26,079 changed a lot in the last uh last five 415 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:27,680 years and we we've heard that from our 416 00:16:26,079 --> 00:16:30,320 employers, from ourselves as a large 417 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:33,040 employer. Uh we see that shift um 418 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:35,199 happening as we speak. So you know as we 419 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:38,320 look uh again where what are the spaces 420 00:16:35,199 --> 00:16:40,240 that we could be involved with um to try 421 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:42,560 to support workforce development and 422 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:44,399 thinking about that attraction retention 423 00:16:42,560 --> 00:16:46,480 um training you know the actual talent 424 00:16:44,399 --> 00:16:48,000 development um and when we talk about 425 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:51,600 training it is a little different maybe 426 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:53,600 than this this broader holistic um piece 427 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:55,920 uh but employer supports is a big part 428 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:57,600 of what we do or what we have done um 429 00:16:55,920 --> 00:16:59,120 and then supporting employees and 430 00:16:57,600 --> 00:17:00,560 thinking about that quality of life and 431 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:02,639 connection. So these are kind of just 432 00:17:00,560 --> 00:17:04,720 broad buckets that we started with as we 433 00:17:02,639 --> 00:17:06,480 looked at that refresh of, you know, 434 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:08,079 what has changed, what's what's looking 435 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:10,400 different, where can we best support our 436 00:17:08,079 --> 00:17:12,799 employers and work with our stakeholders 437 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:15,679 on what that looks like. So, what we did 438 00:17:12,799 --> 00:17:18,160 um this past spring, we convened a a a 439 00:17:15,679 --> 00:17:20,240 smallalish group of employers of 440 00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:22,720 different sizes, different industries, 441 00:17:20,240 --> 00:17:25,039 different um geographic location across 442 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:28,160 the county, as well as our partners in 443 00:17:25,039 --> 00:17:30,160 education, both K12 and higher ed, and 444 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:33,280 came together with um and had just a 445 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:34,720 really great discussion about, you know, 446 00:17:33,280 --> 00:17:37,600 wanting to hear back from them, you 447 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:39,360 know, what what has helped um what has 448 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:42,080 been impactful or useful for you that 449 00:17:39,360 --> 00:17:45,200 we've done in the past. um and you know 450 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:47,360 what what that would look like. So um we 451 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:49,520 did a kind of an exercise with them to 452 00:17:47,360 --> 00:17:51,840 look at our strengths and as well as 453 00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:54,400 what gaps they saw still existing or 454 00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:56,320 continuing to exist or expecting to come 455 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:58,559 forward and we'll kind of walk through 456 00:17:56,320 --> 00:18:01,120 some of those responses that we got from 457 00:17:58,559 --> 00:18:02,640 them. So um current strengths right I 458 00:18:01,120 --> 00:18:04,240 mean the rural by choice the the 459 00:18:02,640 --> 00:18:06,480 resident recruitment work really 460 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:08,320 resonated um and came out you know that 461 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:11,039 messaging that through Ottertale Lakes 462 00:18:08,320 --> 00:18:13,600 country we are really pushing out to a 463 00:18:11,039 --> 00:18:15,919 very large audience um to really 464 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:19,440 highlight Ottertale County as a place 465 00:18:15,919 --> 00:18:21,039 that um to to come and live and to work 466 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:22,559 and really thinking about those in their 467 00:18:21,039 --> 00:18:25,280 prime working years with some of that 468 00:18:22,559 --> 00:18:28,640 messaging um all based on data that we 469 00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:31,200 have um had started with back um back in 470 00:18:28,640 --> 00:18:33,280 161 17 when we first started that and 471 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:35,679 and that still resonates to be true with 472 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:38,000 folks about why they choose um that 473 00:18:35,679 --> 00:18:39,760 simpler life. Um bringing people 474 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:41,039 together, hosting our summits was 475 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:42,480 something that was highlighted as 476 00:18:41,039 --> 00:18:44,000 strengths. You know, learning from each 477 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:47,520 other, you know, being in the same space 478 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:49,360 as other employers is something that um 479 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:51,200 doesn't happen a lot. And even in our 480 00:18:49,360 --> 00:18:53,360 our kind of our focus group that we had 481 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:55,280 that came across that new connections 482 00:18:53,360 --> 00:18:57,280 were made just in that that meeting for 483 00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:59,520 folks who hadn't connected because 484 00:18:57,280 --> 00:19:01,120 they're you know not in the same 485 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:03,280 community so they just haven't had the 486 00:19:01,120 --> 00:19:05,520 opportunity to cross paths. So learning 487 00:19:03,280 --> 00:19:07,360 from each other um and thinking about 488 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:09,440 that and and then the information of 489 00:19:07,360 --> 00:19:11,840 course that is presented and shared out 490 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:13,760 at those summits um came across again as 491 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:16,080 as value or strength that we're able to 492 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:18,640 be a convenor and bring people together 493 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:20,799 both um in person and and virtually like 494 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:23,039 we are today. again, Ottertail Lakes 495 00:19:20,799 --> 00:19:25,120 Country um specifically called out in 496 00:19:23,039 --> 00:19:28,240 what that the work that they do as a 497 00:19:25,120 --> 00:19:29,600 partner and really supporting um across, 498 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:32,160 you know, promoting our communities, 499 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:33,840 promoting our county overall. And then 500 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:36,640 those employers, like Sarah shared a 501 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:38,400 couple of those um employer um job 502 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:40,640 opportunity post, things like that that 503 00:19:38,400 --> 00:19:42,320 really um connect that messaging like, 504 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:44,320 "Hey, you just had a great weekend here. 505 00:19:42,320 --> 00:19:46,400 Maybe you want to come back and and move 506 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:48,480 and live here." um you know, this time 507 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:50,559 of the year is is ripe for that as as 508 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:53,120 I'm sure everyone who was around this 509 00:19:50,559 --> 00:19:55,120 weekend experienced lots of folks from 510 00:19:53,120 --> 00:19:58,720 um out of the area that that maybe would 511 00:19:55,120 --> 00:20:00,559 love to to make their home here. um uh 512 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:02,240 MState, you know, we've already uh noted 513 00:20:00,559 --> 00:20:04,480 them as a great partner and and they 514 00:20:02,240 --> 00:20:06,160 were recognized as well and really being 515 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:09,280 responsive and and looking at the 516 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:13,440 changing um workforce needs and employer 517 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:15,919 needs to to train and and equip um those 518 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:17,760 uh employees for for the needs that are 519 00:20:15,919 --> 00:20:20,480 there. And then child care. Um the work 520 00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:22,320 that we do to um help again bring people 521 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:23,760 together, bring opportunities to 522 00:20:22,320 --> 00:20:25,440 fruition, providing technical 523 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:28,080 assistance, grant writing, things like 524 00:20:25,440 --> 00:20:30,559 that to help expand that capacity of 525 00:20:28,080 --> 00:20:32,400 child care. Uh so those were some that 526 00:20:30,559 --> 00:20:34,400 that popped up. Um but we also asked 527 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:36,640 them what are the gaps, you know, what 528 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:39,929 are we still missing from from the work 529 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:41,280 that's happening? And um housing housing 530 00:20:39,929 --> 00:20:44,240 [laughter] number, you know, number one 531 00:20:41,280 --> 00:20:46,799 and two there. Um not not surprising. 532 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:48,799 And as we look back to why we started 533 00:20:46,799 --> 00:20:50,960 our housing initiative, a different 534 00:20:48,799 --> 00:20:52,400 different side, um it was around 535 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:55,039 workforce. And so, right, that 536 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:58,080 interconnectivity remains and not 537 00:20:55,039 --> 00:21:01,280 surprise to to most, but that affordable 538 00:20:58,080 --> 00:21:04,799 housing, the starter housing, the um you 539 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:08,240 know, it's it's just gotten so um uh 540 00:21:04,799 --> 00:21:14,080 challenging for folks to obtain housing 541 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:16,159 that is within their um general um uh 542 00:21:14,080 --> 00:21:18,720 capacity from an income standpoint. And 543 00:21:16,159 --> 00:21:20,960 so that is something we continue to work 544 00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:22,720 on. We as as many of you know, we do 545 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:25,039 work in the the housing realm pretty 546 00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:27,679 heavily as well. And so making sure 547 00:21:25,039 --> 00:21:29,760 we're are continuing to connect those 548 00:21:27,679 --> 00:21:33,120 two, you know, what is the affordability 549 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:35,120 um needs of our workforce truly? You 550 00:21:33,120 --> 00:21:36,960 know, we talk about workforce housing a 551 00:21:35,120 --> 00:21:39,200 lot, but what does that mean and and 552 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:41,679 help people even further understand that 553 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:43,360 as we work to um both develop and 554 00:21:41,679 --> 00:21:45,200 preserve housing? And really that 555 00:21:43,360 --> 00:21:48,720 preserved housing is often what's most 556 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:52,000 affordable uh for for folks to get into. 557 00:21:48,720 --> 00:21:54,960 So um you know that that always is a 558 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:58,720 gap. Um and you know just thinking about 559 00:21:54,960 --> 00:22:01,039 how do we um connect people you know to 560 00:21:58,720 --> 00:22:03,039 when we were doing the youth work we had 561 00:22:01,039 --> 00:22:05,440 you know a a kind of a it was pretty 562 00:22:03,039 --> 00:22:08,320 basic but it worked. Um a connection 563 00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:11,039 through a website to um allow people to 564 00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:12,720 to have those relationships. um that was 565 00:22:11,039 --> 00:22:14,559 on the youth side, but how do we, you 566 00:22:12,720 --> 00:22:16,080 know, kind of create that um those 567 00:22:14,559 --> 00:22:19,440 connections maybe a little differently 568 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:20,960 and and how to explore careers um and 569 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:23,200 understand what's available here in 570 00:22:20,960 --> 00:22:24,960 Ottertale County? That's something that 571 00:22:23,200 --> 00:22:26,720 we really worked heavily with the youth 572 00:22:24,960 --> 00:22:29,919 work when we were more deeply involved 573 00:22:26,720 --> 00:22:31,760 in that was to ensure the students knew 574 00:22:29,919 --> 00:22:33,280 what the career opportunities were in 575 00:22:31,760 --> 00:22:34,960 the future. you know, it might not be 576 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:37,760 this year or next year or even the year 577 00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:39,280 after for those students um as they 578 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:41,280 pursue other opportunities or 579 00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:43,840 experiences um maybe outside of 580 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:45,679 Ottertell County, but for them to know 581 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:47,840 and have an under, you know, at least 582 00:22:45,679 --> 00:22:49,520 some understanding of what opportunities 583 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:51,840 might they be able to come back to and 584 00:22:49,520 --> 00:22:54,960 connect into. So, that was a big part of 585 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:57,440 the youth work that we did. um you know 586 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:59,200 some uh changes with MState as far as 587 00:22:57,440 --> 00:23:02,159 you know programs moving but also some 588 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:04,799 really exciting um opportunities uh with 589 00:23:02,159 --> 00:23:07,440 MState as well. Uh and then we did talk 590 00:23:04,799 --> 00:23:09,360 quite a bit about um just the challenges 591 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:11,440 of connecting into communities. So, we 592 00:23:09,360 --> 00:23:13,840 do the work, we get someone here, an 593 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:16,000 employer is able to recruit somebody um 594 00:23:13,840 --> 00:23:17,919 and get them hired and and they find 595 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:21,120 housing hopefully, but then there just 596 00:23:17,919 --> 00:23:23,200 isn't um always the opportunity to get 597 00:23:21,120 --> 00:23:25,840 connected into that community and feel 598 00:23:23,200 --> 00:23:27,600 more you have your place in community 599 00:23:25,840 --> 00:23:30,559 and not just you know with an employer 600 00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:33,360 or um you know those kind of more direct 601 00:23:30,559 --> 00:23:35,360 relationships. So, that was uh something 602 00:23:33,360 --> 00:23:37,520 that we talked about and it's it's hard. 603 00:23:35,360 --> 00:23:39,120 We we've had, you know, some little 604 00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:41,440 efforts up and down and tried to help 605 00:23:39,120 --> 00:23:44,000 with with some of those and a couple of 606 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:46,720 our communities have done deeper um 607 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:48,400 partnerships with U of M extension to 608 00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:51,200 think about welcoming communities and 609 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:53,520 what that looks like for them. So, um 610 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:55,679 you know, we'll continue to think about 611 00:23:53,520 --> 00:23:59,120 that and and recognize it's absolutely a 612 00:23:55,679 --> 00:24:00,640 gap there as well. Uh and then finally, 613 00:23:59,120 --> 00:24:03,760 you know, again, I kind of talked about 614 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:06,559 the opportunities. Um so um that 615 00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:10,320 lifestyle um piece and thinking about 616 00:24:06,559 --> 00:24:12,159 the students and um focusing in on those 617 00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:15,120 who maybe have a connection a connection 618 00:24:12,159 --> 00:24:18,240 to rural but maybe it's not Ottertale 619 00:24:15,120 --> 00:24:20,080 County specific but have that rural um 620 00:24:18,240 --> 00:24:22,080 desire and understanding of the pace of 621 00:24:20,080 --> 00:24:23,840 life and and may may wish to come back 622 00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:26,400 to. So really thinking about leaning 623 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:28,799 into that with that talent tourism or 624 00:24:26,400 --> 00:24:32,320 you know another effort um and what that 625 00:24:28,799 --> 00:24:34,400 could look like. um the uh you know uh 626 00:24:32,320 --> 00:24:36,799 MState and other resource sharing. So 627 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:38,880 what else is out there for for training 628 00:24:36,799 --> 00:24:41,120 funding um I think I saw one of our 629 00:24:38,880 --> 00:24:43,200 partners at DLI on the call earlier and 630 00:24:41,120 --> 00:24:44,799 that's absolutely uh from the state 631 00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:46,960 department of labor and industry has 632 00:24:44,799 --> 00:24:49,120 some great programs that is who um 633 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:50,960 helped fund our youth workforce efforts 634 00:24:49,120 --> 00:24:52,880 uh through a grant there and as Sarah 635 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:54,720 mentioned a number of our school 636 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:58,400 districts have been able to continue to 637 00:24:54,720 --> 00:25:01,840 leverage uh that funding um uh multiple 638 00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:03,760 times now. So uh and then there's uh on 639 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:07,120 the adult side for apprenticeships and 640 00:25:03,760 --> 00:25:08,480 and other um programs there. So that is 641 00:25:07,120 --> 00:25:10,000 something that we are looking at. How 642 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:11,840 can we better connect our businesses 643 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:14,559 with those available resources 644 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:18,000 predominantly at the state um state 645 00:25:14,559 --> 00:25:20,000 level for those uh again uh how do we 646 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:22,159 continue to connect industry and schools 647 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:24,159 getting those those connections made to 648 00:25:22,159 --> 00:25:25,760 further that um what are those 649 00:25:24,159 --> 00:25:28,480 opportunities going forward? what are 650 00:25:25,760 --> 00:25:30,720 the you know um the careers in demand 651 00:25:28,480 --> 00:25:33,679 that are here not just in that global 652 00:25:30,720 --> 00:25:35,600 sense you know sometimes I um I've 653 00:25:33,679 --> 00:25:37,520 experienced you know where there's a 654 00:25:35,600 --> 00:25:39,760 general discussion about what are those 655 00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:41,919 careers that are in demand and it's it's 656 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:44,320 broader even if it's statewide we're 657 00:25:41,919 --> 00:25:47,120 different here locally so how do we help 658 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:49,120 um think about that uh and more of that 659 00:25:47,120 --> 00:25:50,799 localized effort and and whether it's 660 00:25:49,120 --> 00:25:52,640 arming our school districts with that 661 00:25:50,799 --> 00:25:54,960 localized information you know how can 662 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:58,320 we how can we help to bring either data 663 00:25:54,960 --> 00:26:00,480 uh or um connections uh forward to help 664 00:25:58,320 --> 00:26:02,720 get those students more um connected 665 00:26:00,480 --> 00:26:04,880 with our local industry. And then 666 00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:06,960 finally, you know, what are those those 667 00:26:04,880 --> 00:26:09,279 onboarding or welcoming resources that 668 00:26:06,960 --> 00:26:12,480 might be able to help um folks plug in 669 00:26:09,279 --> 00:26:14,480 better in community and um you know what 670 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:16,320 that might look like. So continue to 671 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:18,640 think about what that is and we welcome 672 00:26:16,320 --> 00:26:20,159 all ideas and what that might look like 673 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:22,640 and maybe it looks different in each 674 00:26:20,159 --> 00:26:24,799 community depending on you know size and 675 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:27,440 capacities and and if there's ways we 676 00:26:24,799 --> 00:26:29,440 can help um share those best practices 677 00:26:27,440 --> 00:26:31,679 or things that are working in in one 678 00:26:29,440 --> 00:26:34,799 community to another that's um would be 679 00:26:31,679 --> 00:26:37,840 would be great to do that. 680 00:26:34,799 --> 00:26:40,159 Um so with all of that um we took that 681 00:26:37,840 --> 00:26:41,679 feedback and we discussed with our 682 00:26:40,159 --> 00:26:44,240 subcommittee of our community 683 00:26:41,679 --> 00:26:46,240 development agency board um that's 684 00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:49,200 focused on workforce and as well as the 685 00:26:46,240 --> 00:26:52,159 full CDA board in the last couple months 686 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:53,760 about you know what what is our role 687 00:26:52,159 --> 00:26:56,080 what should we be thinking about what 688 00:26:53,760 --> 00:26:58,080 should be our guiding principles and 689 00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:59,520 that's where we landed here with these 690 00:26:58,080 --> 00:27:03,039 bullets and I'll just kind of talk 691 00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:05,679 through a few of them um but you know we 692 00:27:03,039 --> 00:27:08,240 know the the workforce needs and and our 693 00:27:05,679 --> 00:27:09,840 the growth of our communities um are 694 00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:12,720 interconnected, you know, including 695 00:27:09,840 --> 00:27:14,559 housing and child care. All of these 696 00:27:12,720 --> 00:27:16,080 things have to come together for our 697 00:27:14,559 --> 00:27:18,960 communities to thrive and for our 698 00:27:16,080 --> 00:27:21,120 families and residents and workforce to 699 00:27:18,960 --> 00:27:24,240 uh be supported. 700 00:27:21,120 --> 00:27:26,400 Um, we know the data. Our our workforce 701 00:27:24,240 --> 00:27:28,480 is projected to decline because of our 702 00:27:26,400 --> 00:27:31,360 aging population, people aging out of 703 00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:33,600 the workforce and our younger um our 704 00:27:31,360 --> 00:27:36,960 growth in population isn't offsetting 705 00:27:33,600 --> 00:27:38,720 that. And so, um, that's that's a a data 706 00:27:36,960 --> 00:27:40,159 point reality that we have to just 707 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:42,400 continue to keep in mind. You know, 708 00:27:40,159 --> 00:27:46,480 again, numbers are shifting a, you know, 709 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:48,240 over um over time, but that's um that's 710 00:27:46,480 --> 00:27:50,960 the window we're in for some some period 711 00:27:48,240 --> 00:27:53,600 of time as far as the the aging and as 712 00:27:50,960 --> 00:27:54,880 we we get through that um that bubble. 713 00:27:53,600 --> 00:27:58,000 But we have to make sure we're building 714 00:27:54,880 --> 00:28:01,120 up that population um and uh available 715 00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:03,440 workforce. Um skills are changing, 716 00:28:01,120 --> 00:28:05,440 right? I mean we've we've probably today 717 00:28:03,440 --> 00:28:08,640 if you turned on the radio or you know 718 00:28:05,440 --> 00:28:10,320 read your your um news briefings uh AI 719 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:13,279 was being talked about that is a huge 720 00:28:10,320 --> 00:28:15,039 shift um in thinking about how that 721 00:28:13,279 --> 00:28:17,440 impacts workforce how it impacts 722 00:28:15,039 --> 00:28:19,360 employers and how they get work done and 723 00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:21,600 how do we prepare a workforce to be 724 00:28:19,360 --> 00:28:23,200 ready for that and and and many other 725 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:26,799 things but that's the one that seems to 726 00:28:23,200 --> 00:28:31,039 often be top of mind is that changing um 727 00:28:26,799 --> 00:28:33,360 environment uh a lot driven by AI 728 00:28:31,039 --> 00:28:35,039 um again that that need to recruit the 729 00:28:33,360 --> 00:28:37,760 workforce connected back to that 730 00:28:35,039 --> 00:28:39,840 reduction in labor force. Thinking about 731 00:28:37,760 --> 00:28:41,760 um recruiting and retaining those those 732 00:28:39,840 --> 00:28:45,440 residents in those the prime working 733 00:28:41,760 --> 00:28:48,880 years, you know, 30 to 45ish um is kind 734 00:28:45,440 --> 00:28:51,120 of the the window we look at. Um and 735 00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:53,279 then keeping that that in the back of 736 00:28:51,120 --> 00:28:55,679 our mind or forefront actually is that 737 00:28:53,279 --> 00:28:57,279 workforce is really about the people. So 738 00:28:55,679 --> 00:28:58,799 their skills, what are the skills that 739 00:28:57,279 --> 00:29:01,360 they need, what are their own 740 00:28:58,799 --> 00:29:04,000 experiences and that you know their 741 00:29:01,360 --> 00:29:07,279 backgrounds all matter. You know that's 742 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:09,120 um when we initially envisioned the 743 00:29:07,279 --> 00:29:10,720 empowered worker program, it was 744 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:13,679 thinking about who was still on the 745 00:29:10,720 --> 00:29:15,279 sidelines of of workforce. We had a we 746 00:29:13,679 --> 00:29:17,760 have a still a high workforce 747 00:29:15,279 --> 00:29:20,480 participation rate. Um but those who 748 00:29:17,760 --> 00:29:22,159 weren't participating, what were you 749 00:29:20,480 --> 00:29:24,000 know what what was behind that? And 750 00:29:22,159 --> 00:29:27,120 often it was either real or perceived 751 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:29,679 barriers um to the workforce. And so 752 00:29:27,120 --> 00:29:32,320 what that um you know looks like and 753 00:29:29,679 --> 00:29:35,840 what's what's having that perceived um 754 00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:37,200 challenge or real um it it uh it 755 00:29:35,840 --> 00:29:39,200 matters. We need to continue to think 756 00:29:37,200 --> 00:29:42,000 about it from that that people centric 757 00:29:39,200 --> 00:29:44,080 personentric um position. And then 758 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:46,240 finally, partnerships. Like like 759 00:29:44,080 --> 00:29:47,919 anything that we do um within our work 760 00:29:46,240 --> 00:29:49,840 in community development and housing, 761 00:29:47,919 --> 00:29:52,320 it's all about the partnerships. We're 762 00:29:49,840 --> 00:29:53,919 able to build and sustain and and think 763 00:29:52,320 --> 00:29:55,200 about, you know, where there's gaps or 764 00:29:53,919 --> 00:29:57,200 where someone else might be better 765 00:29:55,200 --> 00:29:59,840 equipped to to be part of that solution 766 00:29:57,200 --> 00:30:02,640 or to fill that gap and or where can we 767 00:29:59,840 --> 00:30:05,279 do it together. And so, um, just always 768 00:30:02,640 --> 00:30:08,559 having that as the the foundation of the 769 00:30:05,279 --> 00:30:10,880 work that we do, I think, um, helps, um, 770 00:30:08,559 --> 00:30:12,480 hopefully, um, everyone be more 771 00:30:10,880 --> 00:30:14,960 successful, whether it's the employer or 772 00:30:12,480 --> 00:30:17,919 the individual, um, and our county and 773 00:30:14,960 --> 00:30:19,919 communities as a whole. So, those are 774 00:30:17,919 --> 00:30:21,919 kind of the what we want to keep in 775 00:30:19,919 --> 00:30:24,480 mind. We have these um, principles that 776 00:30:21,919 --> 00:30:26,399 we've used for our housing efforts as 777 00:30:24,480 --> 00:30:28,159 well. And so it it kind of just grounds 778 00:30:26,399 --> 00:30:31,200 our work and gives us a little bit of 779 00:30:28,159 --> 00:30:33,360 the why of what um why why is the county 780 00:30:31,200 --> 00:30:36,720 involved, you know, because of these 781 00:30:33,360 --> 00:30:38,559 these items that help um you know, again 782 00:30:36,720 --> 00:30:40,159 guide the the investment and the work 783 00:30:38,559 --> 00:30:42,320 that we're doing and the prioritization 784 00:30:40,159 --> 00:30:44,080 of workforce. 785 00:30:42,320 --> 00:30:47,039 Um so those will look a little different 786 00:30:44,080 --> 00:30:49,679 as we talk about strategies um and 787 00:30:47,039 --> 00:30:52,320 efforts, but the core actions that were 788 00:30:49,679 --> 00:30:53,919 developed back in 2021 have really 789 00:30:52,320 --> 00:30:55,760 remained the same. a couple of word 790 00:30:53,919 --> 00:30:57,440 tweaks, but these are the actions that 791 00:30:55,760 --> 00:30:59,679 we've talked about that that if you've 792 00:30:57,440 --> 00:31:02,000 been on any of our um been part of any 793 00:30:59,679 --> 00:31:04,240 of our workforce efforts, um convenings, 794 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:06,480 virtual or in person, we've talked about 795 00:31:04,240 --> 00:31:08,960 these three things. So, again, promoting 796 00:31:06,480 --> 00:31:10,799 the availability of jobs um and 797 00:31:08,960 --> 00:31:12,880 workforce resources. So, how do we 798 00:31:10,799 --> 00:31:14,799 continue to do that? Um help our 799 00:31:12,880 --> 00:31:17,120 employers promote their opportunities 800 00:31:14,799 --> 00:31:18,960 and recruit as well as retain their 801 00:31:17,120 --> 00:31:20,880 workers most effectively and 802 00:31:18,960 --> 00:31:22,320 efficiently. And then finally again 803 00:31:20,880 --> 00:31:24,399 around that partnerships. How do we 804 00:31:22,320 --> 00:31:26,720 create partnerships to improve career 805 00:31:24,399 --> 00:31:28,480 readiness, reduce barriers to employment 806 00:31:26,720 --> 00:31:29,919 and then align skills for the future 807 00:31:28,480 --> 00:31:32,720 workforce needs? Really thinking about 808 00:31:29,919 --> 00:31:35,120 our youth as well as um the retraining 809 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:37,679 or upskilling or reskilling of our 810 00:31:35,120 --> 00:31:39,600 current workforce. So those are the 811 00:31:37,679 --> 00:31:42,000 action areas that we um will be 812 00:31:39,600 --> 00:31:43,679 continuing to to follow and guide the 813 00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:45,360 work that we do, the programs and 814 00:31:43,679 --> 00:31:47,840 initiatives that we might launch or 815 00:31:45,360 --> 00:31:49,679 advance. um you know in line with those 816 00:31:47,840 --> 00:31:55,360 principles on the why why are we doing 817 00:31:49,679 --> 00:31:59,440 this work. Um so with that I um would 818 00:31:55,360 --> 00:32:01,519 love to introduce uh Paige Carlson and I 819 00:31:59,440 --> 00:32:03,760 will just turn it over to Paige to talk 820 00:32:01,519 --> 00:32:06,799 about the work she'll be doing here at 821 00:32:03,760 --> 00:32:10,640 the county. So take it away Paige. 822 00:32:06,799 --> 00:32:14,559 » Alrighty. Thank you Amy. Um so I'm just 823 00:32:10,640 --> 00:32:16,720 so excited to be here Paige Carlson. Um, 824 00:32:14,559 --> 00:32:18,880 one thing that I've been thinking of, 825 00:32:16,720 --> 00:32:21,919 uh, as Sarah and Amy had been talking, I 826 00:32:18,880 --> 00:32:24,399 talked to an employer yesterday who was 827 00:32:21,919 --> 00:32:26,720 just frustrated with some of the folks 828 00:32:24,399 --> 00:32:29,440 coming in and didn't understand the 829 00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:31,760 value of networking. And so, it's just 830 00:32:29,440 --> 00:32:33,600 great to really hear about, you know, 831 00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:36,159 partnerships through all of this and 832 00:32:33,600 --> 00:32:38,399 seeing so many people on the call. Um, 833 00:32:36,159 --> 00:32:40,320 so I think it's great and I hope this 834 00:32:38,399 --> 00:32:42,720 group really keeps going and coming 835 00:32:40,320 --> 00:32:46,559 together for these. Uh but anyways, 836 00:32:42,720 --> 00:32:50,080 Paige Carlson. I um am coming from I was 837 00:32:46,559 --> 00:32:52,320 with Community Action in Elbow Lake. Uh 838 00:32:50,080 --> 00:32:55,039 for the last few years, I was a director 839 00:32:52,320 --> 00:32:57,919 in the aging services as well as asset 840 00:32:55,039 --> 00:33:00,000 development. And so I'm excited being an 841 00:32:57,919 --> 00:33:02,960 Ottertale County girl, being back in 842 00:33:00,000 --> 00:33:06,960 Ottertale County um with all of you. And 843 00:33:02,960 --> 00:33:09,679 I do recognize a few names on the list. 844 00:33:06,960 --> 00:33:12,240 So just know that I see you. And shout 845 00:33:09,679 --> 00:33:14,480 out, hello. Um, and I'm excited to get 846 00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:16,720 to know all of the rest of you because 847 00:33:14,480 --> 00:33:18,720 that is going to be a big part of my 848 00:33:16,720 --> 00:33:21,679 role is just really connecting with all 849 00:33:18,720 --> 00:33:24,240 of you and understanding um, what your 850 00:33:21,679 --> 00:33:27,679 needs are and what we can do to help and 851 00:33:24,240 --> 00:33:29,360 support you and just really getting to 852 00:33:27,679 --> 00:33:32,240 to know everything that you have going 853 00:33:29,360 --> 00:33:34,880 on in your world. And then another part 854 00:33:32,240 --> 00:33:37,120 of my role is also to continue that 855 00:33:34,880 --> 00:33:39,039 empowered worker program. uh just 856 00:33:37,120 --> 00:33:42,399 helping be that workforce navigator for 857 00:33:39,039 --> 00:33:45,840 those participants. We do currently have 858 00:33:42,399 --> 00:33:48,880 funding for an agricultural career path. 859 00:33:45,840 --> 00:33:51,760 So, it's for empowered workers who are 860 00:33:48,880 --> 00:33:54,480 wanting to pursue a career in egg. And 861 00:33:51,760 --> 00:33:57,600 so, I of course want to get to know all 862 00:33:54,480 --> 00:34:00,000 of you and uh build those partnerships 863 00:33:57,600 --> 00:34:03,760 with you. Uh but definitely specifically 864 00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:06,159 with any of you folks out there. Um, I 865 00:34:03,760 --> 00:34:07,840 have connected with a few of you already 866 00:34:06,159 --> 00:34:10,159 and we've set up some different job 867 00:34:07,840 --> 00:34:12,480 shadowing opportunities. So, that's been 868 00:34:10,159 --> 00:34:15,200 great. Um, so yeah, I'm just really 869 00:34:12,480 --> 00:34:18,200 excited to be here and to keep the work 870 00:34:15,200 --> 00:34:18,200 going. 871 00:34:20,240 --> 00:34:23,760 » Great. Thanks, Paige. And again, 872 00:34:22,159 --> 00:34:28,240 welcome. We're excited to have you here 873 00:34:23,760 --> 00:34:29,679 at the county. Um the as as Paige said 874 00:34:28,240 --> 00:34:32,240 she'll you know she'll be outreaching to 875 00:34:29,679 --> 00:34:34,000 employers a across industry but a 876 00:34:32,240 --> 00:34:36,399 special focus on those egg partners 877 00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:37,839 right now and and that does have a you 878 00:34:36,399 --> 00:34:40,320 know somewhat broad you know food 879 00:34:37,839 --> 00:34:42,000 processing is you know things adjacent 880 00:34:40,320 --> 00:34:45,679 to egg are involved in that that 881 00:34:42,000 --> 00:34:48,480 pipeline of agriculture and and um from 882 00:34:45,679 --> 00:34:50,720 start to finish uh is is part of that. 883 00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:53,119 So, um, so always looking for partners 884 00:34:50,720 --> 00:34:56,079 across there to see where where that 885 00:34:53,119 --> 00:34:58,800 might look. Um, so I know with that we 886 00:34:56,079 --> 00:35:00,609 can open up to questions. Uh, was is 887 00:34:58,800 --> 00:35:01,040 that right, Sarah? I'm looking to Sarah. 888 00:35:00,609 --> 00:35:04,560 [laughter] 889 00:35:01,040 --> 00:35:06,320 » Yep. Um, or discussion or, you know, 890 00:35:04,560 --> 00:35:07,760 feel free to drop things in the chat or 891 00:35:06,320 --> 00:35:10,000 go ahead and unmute. We're a pretty 892 00:35:07,760 --> 00:35:11,200 small enough group. We'll we can manage 893 00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:12,800 that. that if there's any questions 894 00:35:11,200 --> 00:35:16,000 about the work we're doing, questions 895 00:35:12,800 --> 00:35:17,280 for Paige, um, or if you want to drop 896 00:35:16,000 --> 00:35:18,960 your, you know, if you're if you're 897 00:35:17,280 --> 00:35:20,800 ready to to connect with Paige this 898 00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:22,800 week, drop your well, I don't want to 899 00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:24,320 commit to Paige's availability in the 900 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:26,480 near future. 901 00:35:24,320 --> 00:35:28,800 » Drop your email in the chat and and 902 00:35:26,480 --> 00:35:29,280 we'll for sure get you on that list. 903 00:35:28,800 --> 00:35:31,839 Yeah, 904 00:35:29,280 --> 00:35:33,920 » I can pop in anytime. So, whenever you 905 00:35:31,839 --> 00:35:36,400 got time, I'll make it work. 906 00:35:33,920 --> 00:35:38,160 » Yeah. So, if you're open to a, you know, 907 00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:39,680 um, connection with Paige or, you know, 908 00:35:38,160 --> 00:35:42,079 want to make sure you get, um, 909 00:35:39,680 --> 00:35:43,839 prioritized on that, drop that in the 910 00:35:42,079 --> 00:35:48,079 chat or reach out to Paige. Our emails 911 00:35:43,839 --> 00:35:51,079 are up here. Um, now 912 00:35:48,079 --> 00:35:51,079 um, 913 00:35:51,920 --> 00:35:57,000 quiet group today. Anyone? 914 00:35:58,320 --> 00:36:02,240 I think just to add one of the things 915 00:35:59,760 --> 00:36:04,480 that we wanted to highlight is um with 916 00:36:02,240 --> 00:36:07,520 PA's role it really is more than 917 00:36:04,480 --> 00:36:11,359 empowered worker. Um that's obviously a 918 00:36:07,520 --> 00:36:13,040 a a big initiative but um that employer 919 00:36:11,359 --> 00:36:14,800 outreach and engagement and really 920 00:36:13,040 --> 00:36:17,359 identifying those needs and and trying 921 00:36:14,800 --> 00:36:20,160 to be I think a little bit of technical 922 00:36:17,359 --> 00:36:22,720 assistance but just a lot of support um 923 00:36:20,160 --> 00:36:25,680 and be that that kind of one-stop shop 924 00:36:22,720 --> 00:36:28,960 or tasking page with becoming an expert 925 00:36:25,680 --> 00:36:32,400 in lots of things. So, um, we're excited 926 00:36:28,960 --> 00:36:34,320 to to hear what your needs are from all 927 00:36:32,400 --> 00:36:36,560 all employers. I mean, egg focused, like 928 00:36:34,320 --> 00:36:39,119 we said, but all employers and just 929 00:36:36,560 --> 00:36:41,359 really identify where we can be most 930 00:36:39,119 --> 00:36:43,680 helpful. 931 00:36:41,359 --> 00:36:46,560 » Yep. and as well as partners. You know, 932 00:36:43,680 --> 00:36:49,760 we know that programs and and um 933 00:36:46,560 --> 00:36:51,680 opportunities or uh you know, how how 934 00:36:49,760 --> 00:36:53,920 workforce is supported, you know, 935 00:36:51,680 --> 00:36:56,000 changes and es and flows and evolves and 936 00:36:53,920 --> 00:36:57,920 and so just making sure we're staying up 937 00:36:56,000 --> 00:37:00,800 to speed on what else is happening, you 938 00:36:57,920 --> 00:37:02,480 know, regionally and statewide. Um and 939 00:37:00,800 --> 00:37:05,200 how, you know, how we can help again our 940 00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:09,000 employers tap into those um like Sarah 941 00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:09,000 Sarah and Paige said, 942 00:37:13,839 --> 00:37:17,520 Okay, I'm counting in my head for the 943 00:37:15,680 --> 00:37:21,359 awkward silence that you're supposed to 944 00:37:17,520 --> 00:37:22,960 allow space. [laughter] 945 00:37:21,359 --> 00:37:24,800 If there aren't any questions or 946 00:37:22,960 --> 00:37:26,800 comments or any discussion, just a 947 00:37:24,800 --> 00:37:28,880 reminder, we will send out a link to the 948 00:37:26,800 --> 00:37:31,520 recording and the slides for today. So, 949 00:37:28,880 --> 00:37:33,119 you'll have um emails and contact 950 00:37:31,520 --> 00:37:34,720 information and then some of obviously 951 00:37:33,119 --> 00:37:37,040 the the background of what we've talked 952 00:37:34,720 --> 00:37:39,280 about today. Um, if there's anyone else 953 00:37:37,040 --> 00:37:41,200 within your organizations that you'd 954 00:37:39,280 --> 00:37:43,359 want to make sure does know about the 955 00:37:41,200 --> 00:37:46,079 strategy refresh or should be connecting 956 00:37:43,359 --> 00:37:48,079 with PA page, please feel free to to 957 00:37:46,079 --> 00:37:50,560 share that follow-up information with 958 00:37:48,079 --> 00:37:53,760 them. Um, that would be a really great 959 00:37:50,560 --> 00:37:56,000 touch point and and we can also get them 960 00:37:53,760 --> 00:37:57,680 um on our distribution list for future 961 00:37:56,000 --> 00:38:00,640 convenings and newsletters and all those 962 00:37:57,680 --> 00:38:04,520 things too. So, um, use that as a as a 963 00:38:00,640 --> 00:38:04,520 pass along as well. 964 00:38:05,680 --> 00:38:12,320 All right. Well, seeing uh no one hop 965 00:38:08,079 --> 00:38:15,359 off mute or or express a a desire to to 966 00:38:12,320 --> 00:38:16,960 chat in the group, uh we will conclude 967 00:38:15,359 --> 00:38:18,400 and give you guys a little bit of time 968 00:38:16,960 --> 00:38:20,400 back and just watch for the follow-up 969 00:38:18,400 --> 00:38:22,560 from Sarah. And always know we are here 970 00:38:20,400 --> 00:38:25,440 to partner and think about creative 971 00:38:22,560 --> 00:38:29,119 solutions and uh unique opportunities 972 00:38:25,440 --> 00:38:30,720 and and uh um continue the work that 973 00:38:29,119 --> 00:38:33,920 needs to be done to support workforce. 974 00:38:30,720 --> 00:38:36,560 So, take care everyone. 975 00:38:33,920 --> 00:38:40,520 Thanks everybody. Bye. 976 00:38:36,560 --> 00:38:40,520 » Thanks everybody. Good job today.