Workforce Waves

We know that 2020 has brought economic and social challenges, but is there is silver lining even in the middle of all these difficulties? Joel Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Washburn County Economic Development Corporation, discusses the positive trends that have come from challenging times, and the innovation that is happening in the region. 

Before the pandemic struck, remote work was accelerating in the U.S. But the past few months has been a very strange test of our white-collar future and in some cases, those jobs considered blue-collar too. Join us to discuss how to "Work Like a Boss" during a Pandemic with guest Nancy Lyons. 

Caleb Frostman, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, joins the program to share the efforts that are being made to respond to the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Discover some of the unique unemployment challenges, the impact of the current crisis on Native American communities, and the potential long-term geographic impact of the pandemic. 

In this episode you'll hear from Scott Schultz and Jessica Wagner-Schultz as they discuss their journey of growing up in Northwest Wisconsin, leaving the region, and then eventually returning after 14 years. Discover some of the unique benefits of living in rural vs. urban areas, and why those benefits may be amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scott and Jessica also share some of the challenges that they faced moving back to Northwest Wisconsin, and some of the investments that are being made to address those challenges. 

In this episode, you'll discover what employers need to know about immigration, including current trends and updates. Hear about the crucial role that immigration plays in the workforce system and the regional economy, as well as the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the immigration system. 

In this special episode, you'll discover updates and resources to help you during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn what to do if you are seeking unemployment insurance, the economic impact on the local economy, and how to navigate working from home. 

When you think about the public library, you may not always think about employment and workforce assistance.  However, the role of libraries has expanded quite a bit, and libraries in rural areas are playing a critical role in helping people who are looking for jobs. In this episode, you'll learn about the Libraries Activating Workforce Development Skills (LAWDS) project, which brings together public library staff with the staff of regional Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) and Wisconsin Job Centers, to facilitate more seamless support of job-seeking patrons, business owners and entrepreneurs.

Janet Ady, President and CEO of Ady Advantage, joins the program to discuss the economic challenges and opportunities in rural America. She shares her thoughts on talent recruitment and retention, the importance of data, and how to create a shared vision for your community. 

In this episode you'll hear about the Talent Generator, a new online tool offering smart tips and best practices for creating and sustaining a successful student talent development program. The featured guest is Rebecca Deschane, Talent Initiatives Director, a joint position with WEDC and the University of Wisconsin System.

This episode features an interview with Chad Dull, Vice President of Academics at Minnesota State  College Southeast, as he discusses what poverty informed practice is, and what service providers and employers need to keep in mind when working with people living in poverty. Chad shares examples from his work and talks about the mindset shift that is required to engage in poverty informed practice.

Ian Vincent from APEX joins the program to discuss the Minnesota and Wisconsin Talent Forecast Research Project. Discover the impetus behind the project, takeaways from the research, and strengths and needs in the region when it comes to talent attraction and retention.   

Brad Gingras from Superior Strategies joins the program to discuss the different generations, particularly the emerging workforce, and their differing perspectives and expectations at work. Discover some of the strengths and challenges that varying generations bring to the workplace, and how to create a workplace that is adaptable and meets the needs of all employees. 

This episode features an interview with Judy Aspling, HR Director for Center City Housing Corporation. With unemployment levels being so low, Judy shares tips for how employers can take a different approach to how they look at applicants, and how to find the best fit for a position, even in a tight labor market.   

Having a criminal record can create barriers to employment and career development. Emily Baxter, Executive Director of We Are All Criminals, joins the program to discuss the work that her organization is doing to challenge society's perceptions of what it means to be a "criminal" through shared stories of those who committed, or were accused of, committing crimes and got away with them.     

Before formerly incarcerated people can find jobs, address health problems, or learn new skills, they first need a safe and stable place to live. Yet the odds are stacked against people leaving prison, despite their best intentions and ambitions. Discover the work that Impact Justice is doing through their "Homecoming Project" to leverage existing living spaces to support people re-entering communities. 

In this episode, you'll learn about the Superior Talent project, which is a talent recruitment event that brings together local employers in the region, as well as students across the midwest who are looking to start their career. The event gives students an opportunity to be introduced to the companies and to the community.  Shannon Stade and Jordan Chrzanak join the program, to discuss their experience as participants in the most recent Superior Talent event. 

Rachael Cooper, Senior Program Manager for the National Safety Council, joins the program to discuss the problem of opioid addiction and its impact on the workplace. She shares trends in opioid usage, prevention strategies, and what employers need to know about addiction treatment. 

Northwest Wisconsin, like many areas of the United States, is projected to experience a significant "graying" of their population. Discover the importance of investing in older workers and the mindset shift that the nonprofit sector needs to make when it comes to elders. 

54% of Wisconsin residents live in a "child care desert"- meaning that they have a lack of child care options available to them in their area. This can obviously be a barrier for people looking to enter or return to the workforce- in this episode you'll learn about initiatives that are underway to increase the amount of affordable and available childcare in Wisconsin. 

**Note- between the time this episode was recorded and released, Whitecap Mountain Resort's main lodge was destroyed in a fire. However, the leadership and staff remain optimistic about the future and intend to rebuild. To learn more, visit https://whitecapresort.com/  Recreation, tourism, food service and retail are all crucial to rural economies. In this episode, you'll hear from Whitecap Mountain Resort's General Manager, David Dziuban, as he discusses the history of the resort, how its grown, and the impact that it has on the labor market and local economy.