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Rockstars@Work Next Generation Community Impact Award
Greater Mankato Growth received the 2009 Rockstars@Work Next Generation Community Impact Award for creating successful workforce development initiatives. “With 40% of America’s workforce eligible to retire in 2010 and professionals under the age of 35 spending an average of 20 months on a job, the talent gap is a serious concern,” stated Generation Expert Sarah Sladek, president and CEO of Limelight Generations, the generational company that created the RockStars@Work awards and national conference. Greater Mankato Growth’s workforce talent initiatives include K-12 Career and Technical Education, college student recruitment and retention and young professional development, as well as efforts to engage community alumni and older workers. “Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. deserves to be recognized for its tremendous workforce development and retention efforts. From young students to young professionals —no generation has been overlooked in the Mankato region. Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. is working to secure a future for its region, which is an incredibly noble and worth while cause. I hope other organizations will realize that they, too, can make a difference for our businesses, industries, communities and economy simply by taking the time to focus on the future.” Greater Mankato Growth (GMG) is the region’s integrated chamber of commerce and economic development organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the economic growth and vitality of its business community members and the regional marketplace as a whole.
Minnesota Community Pride Creative Capital: Education & Lifelong Learning Award
Greater Mankato Growth received this award for work in forming collaborations with education, government and non-profits to develop, attract and retain the talented workforce important to the community’s continued vitality. GMG, funded through the business community, has a full-time Talent Development Director, specifically dedicated to creating partnerships and implementing talent development, attraction and retention programs for college students, young professionals and experienced professionals. GMG also partners with Mankato Area Public Schools to fund a full-time Career and Technical Education Coordinator to provide secondary career education programs for grades 7-12, with the South Central Perkins Consortia contributing additional funds to bring the service to other students in the region.
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