Albert Lea must advertise the benefits of living in the community to attract workers, according to  a local employment expert.

The remarks were made by Mark Schultz, regional labor market analyst at the Department of Employment and Economic Development, at a workforce conference Thursday at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club.

The conference was held by SE MN Together, an organization aiming to address the workforce shortage in southeast Minnesota, to inform and educate attendees on workforce issues, existing resources and successful practices and to identify solution strategies.

“We all know that the workforce shortage is an issue, but very seldom do we have the opportunity to share what works and what doesn’t work on a regional level,” said Randy Kehr, executive director of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.

Keynote speaker Steve Hine said even with success in attracting and retaining workers, the area must also make the most of the workers they have by maintaining full employment, training and educating workers for jobs available, removing frequent impediments to work, including transportation, child care and sick leave and improve worker mobility.

Hine, the research director of the labor market information office at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, said the presentation was important for the discussion on the workforce shortage in southeast Minnesota.

“I think it’s a good start,” Hine said.

He said the labor force in southeast Minnesota has slowed since 1991. He projected population growth for the region but said the growth was from people 65 and older.

To mitigate worker shortages, Hine suggested increasing the labor force participation of existing residents. He suggested identifying and removing barriers for people of color and mentoring, engaging and having opportunities for youth.

For older people, Hine suggested offering flexibility and financial incentives.

He said attracting workers from outside the region was important and advised the area to provide a welcoming environment for immigrants.

Similar meetings are scheduled for Nov. 12  in Owatonna and Dec. 3 in Winona.

“You know the issues are there, but now you see the data of what you are seeing on a daily basis,” said Tristan Torres, human resources manager at Pace Dairy Foods in Rochester.

Freeborn County’s unemployment rate was 3.1 percent in September.