Employers are Building More Inclusive Places to Work in Northwest Minnesota
October 14, 2020
Minnesota’s workforce is becoming increasingly diverse – most workforce growth in the coming decade will be from Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) workers. However, many disparities in employment and economic outcomes exist for BIPOC Minnesotans. To help address these disparities and acknowledge the critical role a diverse workforce plays in organizations’ success, Northwest Minnesota employers launched an initiative to recognize organizations that foster an inclusive workforce.
The Inclusive Workforce Employer or I-WE designation is an innovative workforce solution that emerged from discussions among several organizations in Northwest Minnesota brought together by the Regional Workforce Alliance. The Alliance called a summit of area employers to celebrate the diversity of the regional workforce and brainstorm how to drive a more inclusive and equitable regional economy. The Equity Summit, as it came to be known, produced an employer-led solution to recognize regional organizations that intentionally develop more inclusive practices in their workplace and an overall culture.