By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Developing Otter Tail County’s workforce means finding, keeping and training people to support a resilient and growing employer community. In 2024 this strategy, led by county government, implemented programs to promote the availability of jobs in Otter Tail County.

“We helped employers recruit and retain workers more effectively and create partnerships,” said Amy Baldwin, Otter Tail County’s community development director.

More than 200 people attended workforce events to learn, engage and activate workforce development and partnerships. Events included a workforce summit and worker program to provide training, job placement and services to individuals facing barriers to employment.

“The program supports untapped talent throughout our communities to build a pipeline of empowered workers equipped to fill local employers’ workforce needs,” Baldwin said. “Active participants have completed programs to determine career pathways of interest, attained industry-recognized certifications and have successfully entered job placements.”

A Youth Workforce Navigation Program took hold in 2024 after two successful years of deployment. The program included a youth skills training grant to advance relationships between employers and schools.

“Created was a pipeline of highly skilled students for the future workforce,” Baldwin said. “In the final six months of the program, more than 1,600 students participated in industry exposure opportunities.”

Included were employer tours, classroom speakers and career fairs. Students participated in work experiences including internships and part-time employment.