COHASSET – Kaleb Christensen often found himself lacking self-esteem on the job. 

“There were days when I was coming to my boss and asking whether I was doing okay,” said Christensen, a machine assembler at Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI) in Cohasset.

But no longer.

Christensen, of Hill City, on Tuesday, May 2, was among nine MDI employees who graduated from Work Skills 101, a pilot training program offering MDI workers an opportunity to grow personally and professionally.

The 10-week program focused on providing stronger professional, technical, and soft skills to MDI employees with or without disabilities. Communication, attitude, teamwork, attendance, interaction with co-workers, and leadership were among professional skills addressed in the program.

About 50 people attended the graduation ceremony at MDI’s Cohasset facility. 

“This is really what MDI is all about,” said Michael Raich, a member of MDI board of directors. “Like any good business, MDI recognizes that workforce development is good for its employees.”

Maven Perspectives LLC, a Grand Rapids professional training and coaching firm, conducted the skills training with sponsorship from the Northland Foundation and U.S. Bank.

MDI hopes in the future to be able to offer the training to additional employees, said Jeanne Eglinton, director of employment services.

“Our goal is to increase funding of the program so we can expand it here and also offer it at our Hibbing site and to the Twin Cities plant as well,” said Eglinton.

Christensen said the training helped him learn how to better communicate with others, make him more aware of performing quality work, and helping create a cohesive environment with co-workers.

And then there’s the boost in his confidence.

“It’s provided me with more self-esteem and to be more self-assured with myself,” said Christensen with sureness.     

MDI employs more than 500 people with and without disabilities at facilities in Cohasset, Deer River, Hibbing, Grand Rapids, and the Twin Cities.

Pictured above: Minnesota Diversified Industries employees smile after receiving their Work Skills 101 Certificates of Completion.

IRRRB announces the recipients of its second round of FY17 Culture and Tourism Grant Program awards.

Grants totaling nearly $150,000 are awarded to 15 projects in northeastern Minnesota.

Culture and Tourism grants are awarded on a competitive basis to non-profits within the IRRRB service area for arts, culture, heritage and recreational projects essential to quality of life and the economy.

View the list of grant recipients.

The next round of Culture and Tourism grant applications will be accepted in the fall.

Pictured above: Growing Together - Virginia Community Gardens

Policy and a Pint is coming to the Iron Range on Thursday, May 18. The event series heads north to talk "Talent Within Range: Bridging the Workforce Divide in Greater Minnesota."

The event, which will be held at Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm, will focus on what some areas in Minnesota have done and can do to create and maintain a strong workforce and bridge the talent divide in order to contribute to a strong state to live and work.

The following panel that will lead the discussion has a goal to increase workforce skills among Iron Range residents throughout all working ages: 

• Sandee Joppa is the Executive Director of Real Time Talent, an organization dedicated to using data to build the world’s best workforce, right here in Minnesota. 
• Aaron Brown runs MinnesotaBrown.com, a regional blog with a global perspective. He is a writer, radio producer and college instructor. 
• Roy Smith serves in a joint position as the Director of Talent Development at IRRRB, a state economic development agency and the Northeast Higher Education District (NHED). 

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., followed by a program at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students with a valid I.D. Cost includes complimentary appetizers. A cash bar also will be available.

Funded by Target and the Bush Foundation, Policy and a Pint is an event series presented by the Citizens League and 89.3 The Current that engages people in important conversations about public policy in Minnesota.

Get additional details and register for Policy and a Pint.

Every year, the U.S. Small Business Administration celebrates the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from across the nation through National Small Business Week. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.

This year's events kicked off on April 30. The goal is to engage the small business community and highlight their importance as innovators and job creators who strengthen the nation’s economy.

In honor of this special week, remember to shop locally and support your favorite small businesses. 

Learn more about National Small Business Week.