Workforce Waves

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.