APG Specialty Publications METRONORTH_WORKS_19_DE | Page 2

MetroNorth: Connecting Students to Employers Minnesota’s Premier Wedding Dress Boutique Bridal Sales Associate Positions Available One of the ways the MetroNorth Chamber is addressing the need for workforce is connecting our emerging talent – teenagers – to our local employers. We realized that students usually heard about job opportunities through their friends – not newspapers, job boards, or even Facebook. So, we hired the friends! Partnering with Coon Rapids High School’s DECA program, we established Cardinal Connections in the 2018-2019 school year. We ‘hired’ two students to promote local job openings suitable for 15-17 year olds. The student recruiters used social media and other platforms to reach out to their networks throughout the school. If anyone expressed interest, the student recruiters ensured that the teen had the tools needed to succeed in applying – a resume, interview skills, etc. In just a few short months, six students had successfully been hired at local businesses, with a dozen more receiving some sort of assistance like help with their resume. Since the pilot year we have partnered with two other high schools within Anoka County: Spring Lake Park and Blaine High School. This initiative continues to gain traction, even catching the eye of the media. North Metro TV did a story on Cardinal Connections and Fox 9 News featured the Blaine High School ‘Bengal Link’ students in early 2019. We are very excited for the potential of this program and want to thank Districts 11 and 16 for their partnership, as well as to acknowledge our outstanding student recruiters. The young men and women who are part of this project are already established leaders within their schools and hometowns. It’s a privilege to work with them. If you would like to learn more, contact the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce at [email protected] 2 | www.metronorthchamber.org 308 5th Avenue SE | Osseo, MN 55369 763-220-2319 | [email protected] Your Partners in Education & Training We want to be your partner in developing and maintaining a strong regional workforce. Anoka Technical College offers 70+ for-credit degrees, diplomas and certificates that result in skilled employees Anoka-Ramsey Community College offers 100’s of programs and courses that result in employment and transfer opportunities. Professional Workforce Training offers 30+ non-credit workforce development programs. Contact us today to learn more! ChooseYourProgram.com 763-433-1100