04.06.25
Strengthening the health care workforce: A collaborative first step
By Jane Vangsness Frisch, Vice President of Workforce, The Chamber
Participants from the March 2025 Health care Industry Dector Partnership meeting engage in discussion.
The health care workforce is facing significant challenges and addressing them requires a united effort. The Chamber’s first Health Care Industry Sector Partnership (ISP) meeting was a pivotal step toward meaningful change. Hosted at Minnesota State Community and Technical College, the event brought together 44 professionals from health care and caring professions to identify workforce gaps and explore innovative solutions.
WHAT IS AN ISP AND WHY THEY MATTER
An ISP is a collaborative discussion between business leaders, education and training partners, and supporting organizations, all working towards one goal: developing effective solutions to workforce challenges. Health care workers know there’s no single fix for recruitment and retention issues, but by working together we can start to build strategies that make an impact. Â
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE REGIONAL WORKFORCE
The Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo region is experiencing a labor shortage that mirrors national trends. Â
- Labor force participation rate: Fargo’s participation rate is 71.4%, which is above the national average of 67.8%, but demand still outpaces supply.
- Workforce shortage index: North Dakota only has 30 available workers for every 100 open jobs, far below the national average of 83.
- Population growth: The region has grown 8.1% since 2019 and is projected to grow another 6.9%, or 18,322 individuals, by 2029. Â
BREAKING DOWN THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES
In breakout conversations, attendees identified workforce challenges and potential solutions.Â
Education and training gaps in the current health care workforceÂ
- Credentialing and licensure support for New Americans.
- Early exposure to health care careers in high school.
- Clinical placement and internship availability.
- Leadership training and mentorship for retention. Â
Experiences and education opportunities to better prepare future employeesÂ
- Job shadowing and immersive training programs.
- Emphasizing social skills, communication and resilience.
- Clearly defined pathways with actionable steps.
- Exposure to a variety of roles to broaden understanding of career opportunities.Â
Community support and retention of health care workersÂ
- Increased leadership training and development opportunities. Â
- Partnerships between educational institutions and businesses.Â
- Competitive wages, strong benefits and workplace mentorship programs.Â
- Creating opportunities for ongoing professional development and certifications.Â
MOVING FORWARD
This first meeting confirmed what many already knew–there’s no easy fix. But the conversation is just beginning. The next Health Care ISP meeting will build on these discussions, moving further and being more innovative.
STAY INFORMED ABOUT FUTURE ISP OPPORTUNTIES
We’re engaging with industries like Health Care, Agriculture, Manufacturing and Cybersecurity/IT. If you would like to be notified about future ISP meetings for your industry, contact The Chamber’s Workforce Engagement Coordinator, Heidi Schultz, to get added to our contact list.
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