Last Friday, I shared what an honor it was for me to speak at Ridgewater College’s Willmar Commencement ceremony. My key message was to graduates—and all of us—and focused on the importance of lifelong learning and a positive attitude. I hope the graduates were encouraged, inspired and challenged by my remarks.
My follow-up is a message to employers in southwest Minnesota. We have unbelievable talent right here in our region.
I wish I could have congratulated every single one of those graduates who walked right in front of me across the stage. These graduates have program degrees and certificates in nursing, agri business, farm operation and management, computer systems technology, welding, health information technology, early childhood education, law enforcement—the list goes on and on.
And, the list includes all the things I hear from employers every day that we need.
Graduates from all of our educational organizations represent a diverse, talented group of people. I challenge all of us as regional leaders to do a better job of connecting this educated workforce to the incredible opportunities this region’s industries, businesses and communities hold.
