2023 Key Issues: Workforce development
Accelerate private-sector workforce efforts to help employers attract and retain the skilled workers they need to compete.
Minnesota is facing a workforce shortage in nearly every sector of the economy, while record levels of Minnesotans are claiming unemployment insurance and we continue to emerge from the effects of the pandemic. While this shortage pre-dates the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for greater numbers of skilled workers continues to accelerate. The immediate needs of a post-COVID-19 crisis response – rapid rehiring, nimble retraining and swift upskilling – are at the forefront of workforce development discussions. Employers are doing their part in offering on-the-job training and professional development as well as education benefits such as tuition assistance. Policymakers can either advance policies that stimulate workforce participation and enhance our economic recovery – or stifle it.
New Vision Foundation is working to educate and train the next generation of highly skilled workers.
2023 priorities include:
NEAR-TERM STRATEGIES
- Use Chamber Foundation research to drive the state’s education and workforce agenda; promote through storytelling key needs/efforts/industries.
- Audit and evaluate all workforce-related spending and programs, workforce boards for alignment with needs of economy and employers; use performance metrics/ROI
- Accelerate certification and training for key industries (transportation supply chain, manufacturing and tech – data based)
- Streamline Minnesota licensing and certification to reduce barriers, increase supply (nurse licensure compact; immigrants, 15-18-year-old youth employment; construction, manufacturing, child care workforce);
- Improve grade level proficiency in key academic milestones
- Facilitate automation and productivity (incentive/credit)
- Increase supply of child care providers (incentives; reduce regulatory barriers)
LONGER-TERM STRATEGIES
- Use Chamber Foundation research to drive the state’s education and workforce agenda and align the state’s K-12 and workforce systems
- Use results of audit/evaluation to reduce duplication of programs; focus workforce boards, resources on highest need, highest ROI programs/initiatives
- Increase career pathways and experiential learning; increase career counselors in middle, high schools
- Improve Minnesota’s high school CTE and tech education
Make your voice heard
Make sure you're signed up for action alerts, join a policy committee or interact with legislators during 2023 Chamber Day at the Capitol! It's important for legislators to know how their actions impact Minnesota employers and employees.
