Key Goal:
To achieve long-term sustainable economic vitality and compete in a global economy through the retention, creation, and attraction of an educated and skilled workforce. Our Opportunity:
Minnesota’s multiple strengths in the renewable energy industry present the region with a unique opportunity for renewed economic vitality. Both are challenged to adapt and transform from traditional re
source and industrial-based economic models to a more knowledge-based economy. Rooted in the legacies of agriculture stewardship and entrepreneurship, the Alliance seeks new ways to contribute to the region’s growth and competitiveness. Critical emerging industries based in renewable energy and biosciences are revitalizing the inherent know-how and spirit of entrepreneurship in this region. Our Challenge:
This opportunity could be lost if we do not cultivate the region’s talent pool to take advantage of our valuable resources. To do this, we need a coordinated strategy in which industry and its public allies determine the critical skills and other resources needed, and then develop collaborative initiatives to provide and grow these skills. Our momentum, based on a critical mass of industry, natural resources and leadership holds the potential for global competitiveness. However, it lacks the conditions to complete the transformation to a knowledge and innovation-based economy due to a shortage of skilled workers. Our Strategies:
• Provide a diverse, skilled workforce for the renewable energy industry to strengthen the Marketplace region’s competitiveness in the global economy
• Improve recruitment, retention, and credentialing of talent by aligning and enhancing education and training resources
• Establish a regional leadership framework to define and support a regional agenda, evaluate its success, and preside over a meaningful change mechanism
• Advise on public policy to support the renewable energy industry cluster, driving the region to provide solutions for energy production and other value-added products
• Develop a regional culture that supports and attracts new firms and new ideas that can create new products for the emerging renewable energy/bioscience industries and supporting industry sectors
• Build on the opportunity to drive research and development and create additional products that use agricultural inputs and entrepreneurship
