Woman talking with other employee development program attendees.

Employee and Workforce Development Programs

Boost your talent pipeline with support from Normandale

At Normandale, we’re more than a training provider—we’re your strategic partner in workforce development.

As a trusted talent development partner to organizations of all sizes, Normandale collaborates with corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, and more to build sustainable talent pipelines. Whether you're addressing a labor shortage, planning for long-term growth, or aiming to diversify your workforce, Normandale is here to support you at every stage. Rely on us to help identify critical challenges, design tailored solutions, and connect you with grant funding opportunities that are key to achieving your workforce development goals.

Building a talent pipeline is all about staying ahead of the game.

Instead of scrambling to fill positions when they open, savvy organizations understand the importance of identifying and connecting with great potential candidates in advance. By nurturing these relationships early, you and your team can speed up the hiring process, cut down on costs, and ultimately make stronger hires.

Building Your Talent Pipeline Together

Our team of workforce development partners utilizes creative and proven strategies to help you fill your talent pipeline. With Normandale on your side, you’ll feel empowered to create meaningful opportunities that attract, grow, and retain the right people.

Here’s how we do it:

Listen and Learn: We start by listening. Our team meets with your organization to understand where you are today and where you want to go. Are you struggling to find qualified candidates? Are your current employees ready for leadership? We’re here for whatever is keeping you up at night.
Design a Custom Workforce Strategy: Normandale helps you develop a workforce plan that’s tailored to your organization’s unique challenges—which can often include pathway programs, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning options. These approaches help you find talent in non-traditional ways, including individuals who may not have previously seen your industry as an option.
Secure Funding: Developing your talent pipeline often requires a financial investment. When you partner with Normandale—Minnesota’s leader in impactful workforce development solutions—you gain access to our network of grant partners to maximize your investment and bolster recruitment and retention efforts.

Discover Normandale’s Workforce Development Strategies

Pathway Programs

Pathway programs prepare individuals for high-demand, professional careers that offer a livable wage and opportunities for ongoing advancement. And while each pathway is unique, most leverage a cohort model where learners are supported by a community of peers, advisors, instructors, and career navigators.

But here’s where it gets even better: When learners complete a program, they earn specific credentials (academic, occupational, and industry) at little or no cost to the individual!

To learn more about how a pathway program can increase your workforce, give us a call at 952-358-8343, or see examples of current pathway programs offered by Normandale that can be fully-customized to meet your company’s needs.

Apprenticeships

If your organization is bogged down by talent shortages, apprenticeship programs at Normandale may be just what you need to bridge the skills gap.

Apprenticeship programs help companies train and retain qualified people for important roles. This strategic approach to implementing an employee development program can pay dividends when it comes to staff engagement—helping employees move into positions that are interesting, challenging and offer opportunities for growth.

If you’re unfamiliar with the ins and outs of apprenticeships, here’s what to expect:

Apprentices are “typically” offered full-time positions, including salaries and benefits, and they’re paid to work and learn. (Now that’s what we call a win-win!)

Apprentices spend approximately 70 percent of their week working and developing specific job knowledge and 30 percent of their time taking college courses that lead to a degree.
Along the way, apprentices are supported by three key partners: the employer, the college, and a community-based organization (CBO).

View examples of apprenticeship programs offered by Normandale, or call 952-358-8343 to learn more!

Additional Work-Based Learning Options

Depending on your organization’s goals and available resources, pathway programs and apprenticeships might not be the perfect fit. That’s why we also work with employers to support workforce development programs through:

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL): Recognizes and awards college credit for skills and knowledge gained outside of a traditional classroom setting, including through work and military service.

Competency Based Education (CBE): Allows learners to progress at their own pace by demonstrating mastery of specific skills or knowledge areas.
On the Job Training (OJT): Provides hands-on experience and skill development by training employees directly in the workplace while they perform job duties.

When learning needs to meet key objectives, Normandale has you covered.

Call 952-358-8343 or email ncal@normandale.edu to explore employee and workforce development programs that can elevate your organization today!

Get In Touch

Normandale Continuing Education and Corporate Training

ncal@normandale.edu

952-358-8343

9700 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431

Hours: M-Th 8am - 5pm F 8am - 3pm

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