- Partners
- Resource
LYFT Career Pathways
LYFT was a proud presenter and partner for the Region 6W Workforce Summit held on November 8, 2023, at the Prairie’s Edge Resort in Granite Falls, Minnesota. At the summit, all area employers and community leaders were invited to learn the latest workforce data and trends and successful models of what others are doing to address the workforce shortage.
Workforce Data and Trends
This presentation was done by Kelly Asche, Senior Researcher of Center for Rural Policy & Development and Luke Greiner, Regional Labor Market Analyst of DEED. Kelly and Luke dug into the data and trends related to the current workforce shortages.
Resources from Workshop
Employer - Youth Connections
Kim Collin of Case New Holland, Pam Hilber of Avera, Jamie Pauling of J&D Construction and Nicole Wood of Ortonville Area Health were the presenters for this breakout session. Students are changing the way they are making career decisions. Connections between employers and youth are playing a huge role. Local employers shared how engaging with schools and students to encourage career exploration, exposure and experiences is impacting their businesses.
Resource from Breakout Session: Presentation
Employer Roundtable Discussion
These small group discussions were focused around the challenges you are currently facing in your workplace and what solutions have worked. The event planning committee helped facilitate these discussions.
Resource from Roundtable: Mentimeter Results
Successful Strategies in Recruiting and Retaining Employees
This breakout session was presented by Lynn Marotzke of Jennie-O HR, Marti Paulson, CEO of Project Turnabout and Ashley Bormann, Montevideo Veterans Home Administrator. Local employers have found creative ways to recruit and retain employees while addressing the needs of their staff.
Resource from the Breakout Session: Presentation
Childcare Panel Breakout Session
Trisha Lien of First Children’s Finance, Erik Bjerke, CEO of Madison Healthcare Services and Rick Ellingworth, Superintendent of LQPV Schools were the presenters of this breakout session. Information was shared about daycare trends and resources. Local employers partnered with childcare operations to aid in workforce and childress issues.
Resources from the Breakout Session
Resources, Recruitment and Retention
Presenters of this topic were Jessica Miller, Director of Workforce Strategy of MN Department of Employment and Economic Development and Carrie Bendix, Executive Director of Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council. Attendees learned about the workforce resources available to recruit, upskill and retain employees from a state and federal level. Best practices and expanded diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies were also discussed.
Resources from the Workshop Session
Employee Time Off - HR Topic Breakout Session
Pamela M. Harris, PLLC of Employment Law Attorney shared the updated four types of mandatory family and medical leave laws.
Resources from Breakout Session
Workforce Housing Panel Breakout Session
Lisa Graphenteen, Director of Housing and Economic Development of Development Services Inc, Chad Adams, CEO of Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership and Hillary Tweed, Regional Director of Community and Economic Development Associates were this breakout session’s presenters. Housing is often the biggest obstacle employers face with workforce recruitment and retention. Highlighted during this session was how employers have partnered with communities to create housing and address the need.
Resource from the Breakout Session: Presentation
Workforce Marketing and Recruitment
Melissa Streich, Communications Manager of UMVRDC and Jack Gottfried, Community Development Director of the City of Montevideo were the workshop presenters. This session taught attendees how to market their openings and level up their recruitment efforts. Information was shared on why people relocate or choose to stay.
Resource from the Workshop: Resident Recruitment Tools
About the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission
Located in the five county region of Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, Swift and Yellow Medicine, the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission (UMVRDC) provides services to local units of government. Members of UMVRDC are representatives of townships, cities, counties, school boards and public interest groups. Their mission is to help communities prosper with community and economic development assistance via government organizations.