In the fall of 2018, the GFMEDC hired Ady Advantage, a comprehensive economic development consulting firm with expertise in developing talent strategies, to assist in evaluating our regional workforce strategy including current workforce initiatives, and identifying those that align with our mission to support primary-sector employer needs. Based on the research, which included employer survey data, roundtable discussions with industry sector leaders, and workforce development partners’ feedback, the EDC’s immediate strategies will focus on initiatives that meet 1-3 year needs of primary-sector companies, specifically:
Retention Strategies
- The GFMEDC will continue hosting the FM Welcome Party. This event, held twice annually, aims to retain new residents by introducing them to others and showcasing regional amenities.
- Internal market awareness campaign for college students using LiveinFargo.com and other marketing strategies with measured results on college graduate retention.
- Implement strategic data collection process, and necessary follow-up actions, with existing companies to support their workforce needs. We will work to keep a continuing understanding of our primary-sector businesses’ workforce needs.
Recruitment Strategies
- Assist companies in marketing their career opportunities and regional assets through LiveinFargo.com. We are developing the platform for companies to customize a landing page on LiveinFargo.com to market to prospective employees from outside our region.
- Assist companies with recruiting by offering the LiveinFargo Tour. This service is offered to companies recruiting senior level talent to the community.
- Implementation of labor market and talent data systems to provide companies with critical workforce data. The EDC will provide our clients detailed wage information comparing our market to any in the country, as well as aid our companies in identifying potential prospects for recruitment to their businesses.
Support of Retention Initiatives by Partners
- The proposed expansion of the NDSCS-Fargo technical training facility (Career Academy)
- The partnership between MState and Moorhead Public Schools on their Career & Tech Education (CTE) Program
- MSUM’s Sector Breakfasts
- FM HBA’s Health, Tech & Trades Career Expo
- United Way’s New Americans Workforce Development Initiative
- Marketing of Tri-College and other unique workforce/education assets
In addition to the strategies being led and supported by the EDC, Joe Raso, GFMEDC President & CEO, will continue to work with regional workforce development partners on longer-term workforce and talent programming that is likely to have a broader impact on the entire regional economy. If you are interested in digging deeper into the research that has been integral in the development of our Workforce Development Plan of Work, please click on the following link to learn more.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Joe Raso (jraso@gfmedc.com) or Tifanie Gelinske (tgelinske@gfmedc.com) or call (701) 364-1900.
