Workforce Development, Inc. – About WDI

I am…

“The first place I thought of was Workforce Development.”

Mission

To develop and advance the workforce of Southeast Minnesota.

Any business in need of quality labor will locate it or develop it, and anyone in need of a good job will have abundant work opportunities

The Workforce Investment Board will develop and advance the workforce of Southeast Minnesota, by acting as:

The Champion for workforce development customers, achievements and issues;
The Convening Agent to bring workforce partners together to resolve workforce issues;
The Change Agent to promote innovative and creative workforce system solutions;
The Accountability Agent to measure and manage the area’s workforce development system.

To build a pipeline of higher skilled workers to meet business demand.
To align business, workforce, education, human services and economic development policies and programs to grow a healthy local economy.
To build the capacity of the workforce development system to respond to local needs.

Assist in the development, retention and growth of area business, by ensuring new entrants to the labor market have the skills necessary to successfully compete for targeted occupations and keep a living wage job.
Help increase the productivity of area business and the advancement of incumbent workers by promoting on-the-job training and lifelong learning.
Advocate for increased access to the job market for those populations that face significant challenges.
Promote a community awareness of occupations in demand and the skill sets required for the emerging workforce, as well as a knowledge of the workforce development system itself.
Work toward increasing the productivity and efficiency of workforce development services provided within the Workforce Centers, by building and expanding effective partnerships, ensuring staff are well trained and making the best use of new technology.
Act as a regional conduit of federal funds for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and efficiently manage their utilization, in order to assist with an expeditious economic recovery.