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Otter Tail County expands "OTC Works" and Empowered Worker program to connect residents to jobs
Summary
Otter Tail County detailed OTC Works, a county-led workforce strategy, and the Empowered Worker program that provides navigators, skills training and supportive services. Officials reported 145 referrals, 75 enrollments and partnerships with M State and local agencies to place participants into high-demand jobs.
Otter Tail County officials used a December workforce summit at Minnesota State'9s Fergus Falls campus to lay out OTC Works, a county-led strategy that links employer-led needs with training, supports and job placement. Community Development Director Amy Baldwin said the plan centers on three action areas—opportunities, training and connections—and pairs data from DEED and the state demographics center with employer engagement to address staffing gaps.
The county also described the Empowered Worker program, launched in July 2024 with state Drive for 5 funding and local dollars. "We officially launched back in July 2024," Baldwin said, and the program takes referrals from county partners and community agencies. Amy Johnson, the county'9s workforce navigator, said the program has received 145 referrals, 75 enrollments and more than 30 participants actively pursuing credentials or degrees across high-demand fields including healthcare, commercial driving (CDL) and construction trades.
Program staff said Empowered Worker participants receive a workforce navigator plus a referring case manager, a model intended to reduce churn and help participants overcome concrete barriers such as missing driver'9s licenses, unstable housing, or limited English. Baldwin described the program as voluntary and self-directed: participants must be motivated but are supported with intake assessments, tailored training, technology access and connections to employers.
County officials urged employers in the room to expand on-ramps such as job shadows, internships and paid work experiences. "Employers, please consider opening your doors to these participants to do job shadows," Baldwin said. She also asked organizations to refer clients who may not qualify for other programs but could succeed with navigator support.
The county said it is tracking returns on investment through participant outcomes and is exploring capacity expansion because referrals currently outpace staff capacity. Baldwin said the county will continue monitoring metrics and working with partners—including M State and United Way—to sustain and grow the initiative.
