Academics » Workforce Development Solutions

Workforce Development Solutions

Workforce Development Solutions (WDS) specialize in providing educational resources that meet the needs of business and industry.

About Us



Northland’s Workforce Development Solutions team has many years of experience serving individuals and businesses in Minnesota and North Dakota. We focus on our regional workforce by offering continuing education opportunities, creating customized training options, and collaborate with organizations to design professional development solutions. These collaborations include creating youth outreach programs, co-hosting manufacturing industry awareness events for students and educators, creating career pathways for organizations, writing and coordinating Minnesota Job Skills Partnership grants with businesses to provide training to their workforce, and much more.

Meet our Staff



Kirsten Michalke

Director of Workforce Development

Kirsten has served as the Director of Workforce Development since 2004. Kirsten has a master's degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology; she loves to help individuals and organizations identify effective ways to enhance workplace productivity. Kirsten is available to create a training plan that fits your organization's needs and identifies instructors with relevant expertise. She also is our point of contact for corporate Career Pathways and will help your organization identify appropriate pathways to develop employee knowledge and skills.

Strengths: Learner, Relator, Responsibility, Maximizer, Analytical

Contact Kirsten

(218) 683-8647
kirsten.michalke@northlandcollege.edu

Sarah Steinert

Outreach Services Specialist

Sarah is our Outreach Service Specialist responsible for student registration, payments, invoices, and answering your course-related questions. Sarah serves as our main point of contact and enjoys working with the diversity of students and clients that reach out to us to help them fill their educational and business needs. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Human Resource Management and worked within Human Resources before joining the WDS team.

Strengths: Relator, Harmony, Context, Responsibility, Deliberative

Contact Sarah

(218) 683-8649
sarah.steinert@northlandcollege.edu

Ashley Gillund

Safety and Health Instructor

Ashley started with the Workforce Development Solutions team in 2017 as our safety and health instructor and has been providing safety training solutions to companies across the northwest region. With Ashley’s degree in business, she has held internal positions related to employee development, including safety, for over ten years. Ashley works with companies under OSHA Construction and General Industry and specializes in compliance regulated under MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration). Ashley has a passion for safety in the workplace and prides herself on offering interactive and fun classes while ensuring the content is educational and effective.

Strengths: Achiever, Relator, Focus, Futuristic, Includer

Contact Ashley

(218) 683-8642
ashley.gillund@northlandcollege.edu


Northland Mission Statement

Northland is an innovative leader in higher education, preparing all learners with work and life skills that advance personal well-being and regional prosperity.

WDS Vision Statement

We empower people through exceptional education to discover and create excellence, both within themselves and others.

WDS Values

  • Meet community and regional workforce needs
  • Work collaboratively and build relationships
  • Meet adult learners where they are
  • Increase employee skills and organizational productivity
  • Serve with integrity


Register for courses today!

There is no time like the present to focus on your future. Our courses are designed to arm you and your employees with in-demand skills that matter in today’s competitive workforce.

Register for Courses »
IN THIS SECTION:

Register for courses today!

Register for courses and training online today!

Register for Courses »

Viewbook

Explore our Viewbook, the introductory guide to Northland's Workforce Development Solutions, courses offered, and more!

Explore Viewbook »

Contact Us

Have a question about our courses and training opportunities? Our skilled reps are here to provide support and guidance every step of the way.

Contact Us »