Connecting Midwest Suppliers to the Workforce Networks They Need

In Minnesota and the Chicago area, Return2Homeport is strengthening connections between suppliers and the workforce and training systems around them. Rather than centering on a single training provider or employer, the effort maps demand, expands supplier relationships, andestablishesthe partnerships needed to move more workers into manufacturing pipelines where they are currently underused or disconnected.

The Problem & Opportunity

Suppliers in Illinois and Minnesota struggle to find enough qualified workers and often remain disconnected from local schools, workforce programs, and other institutions that could help. The opportunity was to create a regional network that helps make those connections more actionable, especially across industrial and manufacturing communities where workforce coordination needs strengthening.

Objective

Connect Minnesota and Chicago-area communities with workforce development opportunities by serving as an integrator among suppliers, schools, training institutions, and regional stakeholders.

Solution

Phase 1 and 2 of the project focused on outreach and network-building, creating a large contact base across counties, cities, school districts, colleges, technical schools, and suppliers. It also supports demand-signal collection, giving the broader effort a more grounded view of hiring needs and partnership opportunities across two major regions. Phase 3 deepens this model through partnership development and supplier connection, with goals for direct supplier engagement, workforce partner linkage, and formal partnerships with both companies and influencer groups.

Impact

• Phases 1 and 2 engaged over 390 community partners, nearly 1,300 schools, 80 community colleges, and 45 technical schools, creating broad regional outreach coverage.
• Phase 3 continues the effort with goals to survey 655 suppliers, create 10 supplier partnerships, establish 4 influencer partnerships, and connect 60 suppliers to workforce partners across both regions.
• The team also contacted 226 suppliers in Minnesota and 100 suppliers in Chicago during the first phases, building a substantial supplier database and demand record. Outreach targets were met or exceeded across most Minnesota and Chicago categories, including 564 high schools contacted in Minnesota and 734 high schools contacted in Chicago.
• This groundwork supports analysis of hiring demand, existing connections, and partnership gaps across the Minnesota and Illinois/Chicago-area ecosystems. 

About BlueForge Alliance

BlueForge Alliance (BFA) is the national nonprofit, neutral integrator whose mission is to reinvigorate the U.S. defense industrial base necessary to produce next generation capabilities in partnership with the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense. BFA is a critical partner in the U.S. Navy Submarine Industrial Base’s mission to ensure industry has the capability, capacity, and resilience to build and maintain America’s next generation of undersea platforms and to support international commitments under the AUKUS partnership. The organization’s team of experts in a variety of disciplines focus on addressing critical workforce, technology, and supplier development needs. BFA is headquartered in Bryan/College Station, Texas. For more information, visit www.BlueForgeAlliance.us.