Talent

As we forge ahead into the 21^st century, more and more businesses are looking to attract, retain, and develop talent. Businesses want strong employees to stick around, and that requires creating an enjoyable workplace. Employers who design “magnetic” brands are primed to succeed. Our Talent Pipeline tool gives a thorough overview of the credentials of our emerging workforce.

The Northland cultivates its talent in many ways. Its higher education network features 11 campuses that put out over 7,000 graduates per year. Businesses can work with an institution to tailor a curriculum around their needs quickly and effectively. Local high schools partner with community colleges and universities on technical training and education to give graduates a leg up when they head to college or enter the workforce.

Students and other job seekers have the ability to post their resume on NORTHFORCE, the region’s online talent community. In turn, businesses can place their job postings on the website in order to find the perfect match. On top of that, both Minnesota and Wisconsin have six workforce centers that provide workshops and technical assistance, and sponsor hiring events. The Northland is ready to help employers ensure that their needs are met.

NORTHFORCE – Jobs & Placement

NORTHFORCE matches employers and talent in a 10-county region of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

On the multi award-winning NORTHFORCE.org website, both companies and talent can create free profiles, request notifications when new items of interest are posted, and benefit from personalized direct matching between candidates and positions. The personalized, direct matching is carried out by the dedicated and locally based NORTHFORCE staff. The system matches all levels of candidates, from internships to skilled trades to executive level management, and across all industries, from manufacturing and fabrication to healthcare to IT.

NORTHFORCE is united around five core talent strategy objectives:

1. Attraction: Educate prospective talent about enduring reasons to come or stay

2. Management: Foster and maintain a line of communication between communities, employers, and prospective talent that is dynamic and constructive

3. Placement: Help talent find employers, and employers find talent

4. Enrichment: Provide opportunities for talent to grow, advance, and change the face of the region

5. Retention: Create an environment in which talent thrives and whose contributions are recognized, celebrated, and reciprocated in every way possible

Developed in 2013 by The Northspan Group, Inc. and APEX, NORTHFORCE continues to be a linchpin of the overall regional economic development strategy, as a region cannot prosper, grow its businesses, or attract investment and new workforce without a robust talent pool. That talent pool must also have access to an equally robust opportunity pool. NORTHFORCE aims to bridge these gaps.

Since NORTHFORCE’s launch, the system has attracted over 2,500 registered opportunity seekers from across the region and United States (57% of whom hold bachelor’s degree or higher), and over 750 regional hiring employers.

To find a job, post a Job, or register now, visit NORTHFORCE.org.