We know that the toughest workforce crisis is yet to come as the labor force fails to keep the pace with growth in the aging population. The ratio of the working age population compared to those over the age of 85 will decrease by 46 percent over the next 20 years. It is important to start building your future workforce pipeline today!   

A great way to do that is to get involved with local schools, with students of all ages. Make sure your local school principals, career technical educators, and health sciences deans know your name, your organization, and the positions for which you are hiring. 

Often, staff come to work in our field because of a special relationship with an older adult during formative years. By partnering with a local school, your organization can help to facilitate those relationships and expose students to the meaningful work, missions and values, and career pathways in our field.

Need some tools to get you started? Check out these turn key tools from our partners:

• LeadingAge National’s Workforce Center: Classroom Presentation
• Argentum’s Senior Living Works: Toolkits
• HealthForce Minnesota’s Caring Career Start Here campaign
• Awareness videos to share: Recruit New Students and Recruit New Americans

Case studies from your fellow LeadingAge Minnesota members:

• Guardian Angels: Expanding Outreach to High School Students
• Ecumen Scenic Shores: Engaging High School Students through Experience Camps
• Field Crest Care Center: High School On-the-Job Training Program to Recruit Students
• LifeCare Medical Center Roseau: Looking to the Future by Exposing High School Students to Careers in Long Term Care
• Northfield Retirement Community: Recruiting High School and College Students into Long Term Care
• Ecumen Bethany: Raising Awareness in Senior Care Careers in High Schools and Colleges
• Essentia Health Memory Boy Project

Questions on how to connect with local schools in your area? Contact Jenna Kellerman.