NORTHFORCE is coordinating free, virtual events to help candidates connect with employers across northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin who are looking to hire for various positions now and in the future.
Three of the six total events took place this autumn and featured employers from child care, health care, manufacturing, and more of the Northland’s high-demand industries currently experiencing workforce shortages.
Three more events will take place between February and April 2022. Participating employers will include:
- Duluth Seaway Port Authority
- City of Duluth
- APEX
- Minnesota Power / ALLETE
Held via Zoom, the virtual events are free and open to the public. Candidates who sign up for the sessions have the opportunity to learn about our region’s employers, meet local professionals, and receive one-to-one networking support from area experts.
“Each employer has the opportunity to present about their organization and share a little about their company culture and what type of jobs they are consistently looking to hire for,” said NORTHFORCE Development Consultant Desiree Yourczek. “The events are designed to let candidates learn about career opportunities in the area and really plug into the Northland business community.”
The business meet and greets are tied to NORTHFORCE’s Student Connect programming dedicated to retaining talent locally by creating an environment where students feel welcomed into our community and can develop genuine professional connections. During spring semester 2022, the program will include three learning sessions open to students at all 13 college campuses throughout the NORTHFORCE region.
The business meet and greets from February-April are open to students as well as members of the broader public.
“We’ve received great feedback from employers who’ve participated so far, both this year and last,” said Lead for Minnesota Fellow Amber Lewis, who is coordinating the business meet and greets. “Last year we had more requests from employers who wanted to participate than we had capacity for presentations. That indicates to us that employers see value in the concept and we’re on the right track with these program offerings.”
How to Get Involved:
- Employers can select a time slot for a NORTHFORCE business meet and greet session by emailing Northspan President & CEO Elissa Hansen at ehansen@northspan.org and find more information in this flyer.
- Businesses can learn more about how to connect with talent through NORTHFORCE in this flyer.
- Job seekers interested in connecting with Northland employers at business meet and greets can learn more and sign up here.
- Students can register for Student Connect at this link.