The region’s major industries—manufacturing, healthcare, finance & insurance, and agriculture—depend on a steady influx of workers across the skill spectrum that, for the foreseeable future, cannot be supplied by remote talent. This includes everything from the entry-level labor required by many small to mid-size manufacturers to the highly skilled engineers and specialty physicians needed to support the region’s advanced manufacturers and healthcare organizations.

 

Manufacturing continues to draw the most new workers to the area with a net inflow of 2,577 people. Retail trade is second with 662 people.

 

Healthcare, our second largest industry sector, is losing more workers than we are gaining with a net loss of 58 workers.

 

Marathon County needs to become a desirable destination not only for traditional manufacturing employment, but also for creative workers, entrepreneurs, and professionals. The disruption of traditional industries and employers (such as manufacturing and agriculture) could lead to fewer local jobs.

 

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Workforce Attraction & Retention

 

What do employers need? Welders, engineers, manufacturing is being prioritized.

 

Energy is around skilled trades (welder, engineer)