Building Tomorrow’s Work Force: MetroNorth Chamber Workforce

America faces growing workforce challenges, particularly as experienced Baby Boomer employees retire and industries work to replace valuable skills and institutional knowledge.

The impact is significant in manufacturing and construction, two industries affected by the last recession. Widespread layoffs discouraged many young people from pursuing training in these fields. As demand increased, the pipeline of entry-level skilled workers narrowed.

The Associated General Contractors of America reported that 86% of its members had difficulty filling open positions in 2015, up from 83% the year before. While these figures reflect the conditions at that time, the need to introduce students to skilled career paths remains important.

Anoka County’s MetroNorth Chamber is working to help address the workforce gap. Terry Hart, vice president and director of operations at the Circle Pines office, served as president of the MetroNorth Chamber’s Workforce Development Foundation and shared insight into the Chamber’s work.

What Is the Workforce Development Foundation?

Terry Hart: The MetroNorth Chamber focuses on the growing hiring and talent needs of businesses in the Anoka County area. The Foundation was created to raise funds and serve as a resource for workforce-development needs in the local business community.

Together, the organizations bring business and education leaders together to support a high-caliber workforce in Anoka County, which has a significant base of construction, manufacturing and healthcare businesses. By providing tools that equip future employees, the Foundation can help strengthen local businesses and enrich the community.

The Foundation focused on building career awareness and interest among K-12 students and parents. Here, a meeting at Coon Rapids High School.

How Does the Foundation Connect Students With Area Businesses?

Hart: As a starting point, the Foundation focused on building career awareness and interest among K-12 students and parents. Funds raised by the Foundation supported grants and scholarships for activities such as student job fairs and tours of local businesses and manufacturing facilities.

Funding can remove basic barriers by providing transportation for students to tour a plant, rental space for community education or tuition grants.

Terry Hart, Vice President and Director of Operations at the Circle Pines office

Why Invest Time and Resources in Workforce Development?

Hart: There is a critical need, and MetroNorth is well positioned to help address it. The Chamber is a business organization and advocate for the north metro. KA has been part of this business community and the MetroNorth Chamber for decades, and several employees are active Chamber members.

I am also a member of the Anoka County Workforce Development Board, and KA is involved with the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. Both organizations offer valuable resources for building relationships among schools and the business sector.

KA also works extensively with K-12 school systems throughout Minnesota. Employees work with school administrators and staff each day, which provides a strong understanding of their goals and challenges, as well as those of the business community.

What Is Next for the Workforce Development Foundation?

Hart: As the Foundation develops, it may provide funding assistance to training organizations, including postsecondary scholarships. It can also build awareness of strategies used by other industries to generate interest, recruit and train new professionals. Those approaches may be adapted to support construction and manufacturing careers.

How Can People Learn More or Contribute?

Hart: Join the discussion. MetroNorth members are automatically eligible to participate in the Workforce Development Foundation. Donations to the Foundation are appreciated and offer a way to invest in the region’s future economic vitality.

Learn more about Terry Hart’s career, construction career opportunities for students, career fair outreach and a Northeast Metro District 916 alumnus building a construction career.