Region 1

Business Engagement and Business Led Sector Strategies:
Region 1 has accomplished“Business Led Sector Engagement” through the following activities:
  1. In collaboration with Southwest Private Industry Council, South Central Jobs and Training, Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc., and the Northwest Private Industry Council, a process was developed to create a business lead sector engagement strategy through the identification of “Industry Champions”.
Industry Champions will be instrumental in the validation of strategies for engagement of the Business Led Sector Strategies. This process will standardize the method of business engagement, identify redundancies, and provide a much enhanced and efficient level of business interaction for the south central and western half of Minnesota.
  1. The Incumbent Worker Grant Programofferedby the Northwest Private Industry Council helped provide reimbursement grants to 15 businesses to train existing workers. In 2017, more than 75 employees took part in trainings covering such topics as Supervision Basics, Training the Trainer, Customer Service, and welding skills. Additional trainings are planned for Spring of 2018.
  1. Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc. has developed a business sector employee retention program in partnership with the Leech Lake Band of OjibwaGaming Division.
  1. Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc. and the Northwest Private Industry Council have developed partnerships with Trade Associations including the Highway 2 West Manufacturing Association, Lakes Area Manufacturing Association and the Tri-State Manufacturing Association.

Community Engagement:
Region 1 has increased “Community Engagement” through outreach to rural communities through the development of the following activities:
  1. A pilot program called “Mobile Workforce Services” provides job counselors and workforce services to rural communities in northern Minnesota.Through the use of “Mobile Labs” job counselors are able to meet directly with job seekers and business withoutthe additional burden of having a job seeker or employer travel to a centrally located bricks and mortar WorkForce Center. This concept is particularly important considering the limited mobility of disabled and low-income populations.
  1. RMCEP participates in the Leech Lake Band of OjibwaWorkforce Development Steering Committee. RMCEP leadership in Central Minnesota has been instrumental in providing expertise in the area of Workforce development strategies for the Leech Lake Band Planning Division andthe Leech Lake Tribal College.
  1. A focus group project was completed with the “New American Populations” in the Moorhead area. This project helped establish a baseline for the development of services to a minority group experiencing prejudice and disparity in employment outcomes.
  1. NWPIC was a key planning partner in the Northern Valley Career Expo – a cross-border event with workforce and education partners in northeast North Dakota. This year the event engaged 60 business sponsors and exhibitors who came together to host 1,532 sophomores from 37 schools to learn about careers in the region. The Expo was also recognized by the Red River Regional Council during its Ideas to Action Summit the with the Intrepid Award, "reserved for only the most audacious, bold organizations for thinkers who have transitioned a visionary idea to literal, concrete results."

Customer Centered Design :
Region 1 has implemented the following “Customer Centered Design”strategies:
  1. Through the use of “Mobile Labs”, job counselors are able to meet with job seekers and businesses in their communities.
  1. Through the Disability Employment InitiativeRural Minnesota CEP, has increased staff training to help improve access to youth services and coordinate WorkForce Center Services to youth.
  1. NWPIC hosted the first WIOA Partner all day staff training in May, bringing together all staff from ABE, Job Service, MFIP, WIOA and State Youth and Senior programs. This is the first in a series of planned annual workforce system-wide staffing and training activities.
  1. Northwest Private Industry Council and Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc.have developed MOUs’ with regional ABE providers, and are beginning to explore the new methods for the development of referral processes, resource identification and strategies for the development of career pathways in occupation of demand. 6 separate pilots are being developed under the ABE Transitions and Navigator Development Program.
  1. Regional Planning in Region 1 has encompassed multiple meetings with the following; Higher Education, Perkins Consortiums, Economic Development, Adult Basic Education and Community Action Agencies. On-going meetings are occurring to explore elimination of duplicate services, while also concentrating on establishment of innovative and efficient referral and client services.

Funding/Resource, Policy and Systems (3 Strategies combined):
Region 1 has implemented the following “Funding, Policy, and Systems” strategies:
  1. Northwest Private Industry Council and Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc. have come together to establish a Regional Workforce Alliance. Members from bothWorkforce Development Boards, along with Local Elected Officials and special interest groups, meet quarterly to discuss regional imperatives, best practices and alignment of resources.
  1. Northwest Private Industry Council and regional non-profits have been exploring the possibility of development of a non-profit center where regional entities serving a common client can provide services from one location in Thief River Falls.
  1. Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc., is in the process of restructuring administrative functions for Regional Planning and Rural Career Counselor Coordination into one position which will be solely dedicated to development of regional initiatives. This position will provide staff services to the Regional Workforce Alliance, Business Led Sector Development and redevelopment of local business services inRegion 1.