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EDA partners with DED to convene workforce feedback forum, focusing on apprenticeships and employer needs
Summary
Sam Jensen of Minnesota DED offered to co-host a workforce feedback forum to gather employer input on hiring and training; the EDA voted to collaborate on outreach and include workforce topics on summer business-retention visits if a standalone forum is not scheduled.
Sam Jensen, a regional representative with Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DED), asked the East Grand Forks EDA on March 18 to partner on a workforce feedback forum to gather employer perspectives on hiring, retention and training.
Jensen said he serves employers across a seven-county northwest Minnesota region and can support outreach, moderation, notetaking and post-event follow-up. He emphasized expanding registered apprenticeship programs as a flexible workforce training tool that can apply beyond traditional trades: "...apprenticeships ... could be an insurance agent. It could be someone who wants to get into commercial painting as well," he said.
Board members discussed timing, potential venues and outreach to high-school students and educational partners. The EDA voted to collaborate with DED on event organization and to include workforce questions during planned summer business-retention and expansion visits by staff if the board does not host a separate forum.
What happens next: staff and DED will coordinate timing, outreach and venue options; board members suggested a one-month lead time for scheduling and that the EDA contribute modest logistical support (venue coordination and light refreshments) where needed.
