The strength of Waconia and our surrounding community comes from the talent and dedication of YOU. Workforce development is the foundation for growth, stability, and success in Waconia, Carver County, and across Minnesota. As business leaders, educators, and elected officials collaboratively address workforce challenges, we’re striving to build and advocate for a strong workforce. Over this past week, there were a few events that highlight these continued efforts.
Workforce Summit Luncheon
Last week, member panelists gathered for the Waconia Chamber Workforce Summit Luncheon to discuss the evolving needs of our workforce. From workforce retention to career pathway initiatives, leaders from healthcare, trades, manufacturing, service industries, and Waconia Public Schools shared insights on workforce training, workplace wellness, and even the impact of AI. One panelist in healthcare even reminded us that having fun on the job is also important—sometimes that means dancing at work to boost morale and create a positive workplace environment.
5+ Years of Business-Education Partnerships in Manufacturing & Trades
For over five years, the Manufacturing and Trades Group has met monthly and collaborated to help high school students explore high-demand careers. Earlier this week, we connected with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to explore opportunities through the Youth Skills Training program. While these programs offer valuable experiences, we continue to advocate for fewer restrictions and industry growth to allow students real-world experiences with available resources.
Through partnerships with local businesses and Waconia High School, we have:
- Hosted an annual Experience the Trades Day to showcase career opportunities.
- Created apprenticeship-style experiences that connect students with hands-on learning.
- Supported policy initiatives that fund workforce training and development.
- Celebrated students entering the workforce at Signing Day—our 5th annual event will be held Tuesday, May 6, at 7:30 AM at WHS.
Advocacy at the Capitol: Costs Matter
At Chamber Day at the Capitol, the message was: Costs Matter. We advocated for economic competitiveness and responsible state governance, asking legislators to work together toward a balanced budget by May 19. However, projections are showing that spending outpaces revenue. Also, new taxes are being proposed on legal and financial services. Currently, Minnesota ranks #2 in corporate taxes and #6 in individual taxes, highlighting a need for a pro-growth approach to business retention and expansion.
During our visit with Senator Julia Coleman, we discussed education, taxes, and workplace mandates. With the Paid Leave program set to launch on Jan. 1, 2026, we emphasized the importance of a plan that supports both employees and employers.
Workforce Challenges & Impact
- Small Businesses: Increased costs, staffing, and regulatory requirements add challenges to stay competitive.
- Manufacturing & Trades: Minnesota needs to grow its talent pipeline to stay competitive. While there are many programs available to help close the skills gap, regulatory obstacles and mandates make it harder for businesses to continue to invest in workforce development.
- Education & Training: By continued partnership with businesses and schools, students will continue to graduate with real-world, in-demand skills. However, state mandated funding makes it challenging to grow programming.
- Healthcare & Service Industries: With an aging population and increased demand for services, workforce shortages are straining for healthcare providers and service industries. Operational costs, regulatory challenges, and costly state mandates make it difficult to attract and retain skilled professionals.
- Immigration Laws & Tariffs: At the federal level, changing immigration policies affect the workforce in Minnesota. Additionally, many businesses have expressed concerns on the unknown of tariffs, timelines, and how they impact the cost of goods and materials.
Looking ahead, and despite challenges, our focus is on strategic workforce initiatives, advocacy, and collaboration to keep Waconia and surrounding communities thriving. A strong workforce is critical and we’ll continue to work together, build future talent, and invest in our community.
Thank you for being part of this important conversation,
Christine
