Launch North

A great day today at Lake Superior College with our first Launch North event! Check out the story from WDIO.

Launch North is helping adults explore new careers in Duluth Launch North is helping adults explore new careers in Duluth, this weekend participants learned about high-demand jobs in healthcare.

Check out the recent WDIO feature on the new Launch North program! If you are interested in exploring rewarding careers in healthcare & public health, check us out. Launch North offers free, hands-on career exploration for adults in Northeast Minnesota—whether you're starting out, changing careers, or ready for something new. No experience required.

Launch North to help adults with career exploration A new career exploration program for adults is called Launch North.

A better career is possible — and this event was built to help you get there.

Launch North is a FREE career exploration event designed to remove every barrier that usually stands between people and opportunity.

Transportation assistance. Childcare help. Financial aid coaching. A free lunch. And a full day alongside real public health and healthcare professionals who want to see you succeed — no matter where you’re starting from.

You don’t need experience. You don’t need a degree. You just need to show up.

These are careers that are in demand, pay well, and make a real difference in communities like ours. And they are within reach for you.

📅 March 28 | Lake Superior College, Duluth
🌟 100% Free | Transportation & childcare assistance available | Lunch included

Register today — space is limited.
https://bit.ly/LaunchNorth

The career you’ve wondered about may be closer than you think.

If you’ve been considering a move into public health or healthcare — or even just quietly wondering whether it might be right for you — Launch North was designed for this moment.

Spend one day at this FREE event meeting professionals doing meaningful work, exploring career paths in high-demand fields, and getting the honest information you need to decide if this is the right direction for you. No obligation. No pressure. Just clarity.

You deserve a career that matters. Give yourself the day to find out what that looks like.

📅 March 28 | Lake Superior College, Duluth
🌟 100% Free | Lunch included | No prior experience needed

Register today — space is limited.
https://bit.ly/LaunchNorth

A career you believe in is still within reach.

A job loss can feel like a setback. It can also be the opening to something better.

Launch North is a FREE event where you spend a day exploring high-demand public health and healthcare careers, talking to real professionals, and finding out exactly what it takes to get there. No resume required. No pressure to commit. Just the information and clarity you need to take the next step with confidence.

📅 March 28 | Lake Superior College, Duluth
💼 100% Free | Transportation assistance available

Register today — space is limited.
https://bit.ly/LaunchNorth

Check out this weekend's feature on KAXE introducing Launch North!!

New program in Arrowhead helps adults explore new career paths Launch North, the new program from the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, will host one-day events in Duluth, Grand Rapids, International Falls and Cloquet.

Your future in healthcare starts with one question: what if?

You don’t need a plan. You don’t need experience. You just need the curiosity to explore.

Launch North is a FREE career exploration event where you’ll meet real professionals in public health and healthcare, get honest answers about career paths and training, and discover what’s genuinely possible for your future — right here in Northeast Minnesota.

No commitment required. Just one day that could open doors you didn’t know existed.

📅 March 28 | Lake Superior College, Duluth
🎓 100% Free | Lunch included | Transportation assistance available

Register today — space is limited.
https://bit.ly/LaunchNorth

Launch North: Innovative Career Exploration Pilot Program Opens Doors for Adults Across Northeast Minnesota

Groundbreaking program offers hands-on career exploration beyond traditional classroom settings

DULUTH, MN – The Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, a division of the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC), is excited to announce that applications are now open for Launch North, an innovative pilot program breaking new ground in adult career exploration across Northeast Minnesota.

Not sure what career is right for you? Try before you commit.

Unlike traditional career exploration programs limited to high school students, Launch North welcomes adults of all ages – including young adults who have left the school system, career changers, dislocated workers, and those from underserved communities seeking new opportunities in public health and healthcare. No experience needed.

The first Launch North event will take place on March 28, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM at Lake Superior College in Duluth. Space is limited to only 32 participants – apply early to secure your spot.

A New Model for Career Exploration
"This is truly exciting and something entirely new for our region," said Brenda Shafer-Pellinen, Program Development Specialist at the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging. "We're piloting a model that recognizes career exploration shouldn't end when you leave high school. Whether you're 19 or 59, whether you've been out of work or looking for a career change, Launch North provides hands-on experiences to explore public health and healthcare careers without making a commitment to costly training first."

Wondering if a career in public health or healthcare is for you? Find out in one day – no cost, no commitment.

"Lake Superior College is very excited to partner with local public health and healthcare professionals and agencies to provide this opportunity for career exploration," said Anna Sackette-Urness, Dean of Allied Health and Nursing at Lake Superior College.

If successful, this innovative model could pave the way for similar programs in other industry sectors across the region, creating accessible pathways for adults to explore career options before investing in education and training.

Launch North is funded by the Next Generation Public Health Pathways Grant and addresses critical workforce shortages across Northeast Minnesota's seven-county region by connecting participants directly with professionals in the field.

Who Should Apply

Launch North is designed for:
• Young adults exploring career options after high school
• Career changers seeking new opportunities
• Dislocated workers transitioning to new fields
• Individuals from underserved communities
• Anyone curious about public health and healthcare careers

No prior experience or education in public health or healthcare is required.

Career Focus Areas

Participants at the Lake Superior College event will explore careers including:
• Nursing
• Social Work
• Community Health Worker
• EMS and Emergency Planning
• Lab Sciences and Epidemiology
• Mental Health and Substance Use Providers
• Public Health Educator
• Diagnostic Imaging

Career focus areas may vary from event to event based on local workforce needs and available presenters.

Removing Barriers to Participation

Understanding that financial barriers often prevent adults from exploring career options, Launch North provides comprehensive support including:
• Completely free to participate
• Free lunch and materials
• Childcare reimbursement scholarships (available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last)
• Transportation stipends
• Hands-on career exploration activities
• Direct networking with public health and healthcare professionals
• Information about education and training pathways
• No cost, no commitment – just one day to explore your options

Regional Impact

Following the Duluth event, Launch North will host additional career exploration events in Grand Rapids, International Falls, and Cloquet between Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. Through June 2027, the program aims to reach 128 participants across four locations in the Arrowhead region.
Dates for future events will be announced via the program webpage at https://bit.ly/LaunchNorth. Interested individuals can follow the webpage for information about applications for upcoming events.

How to Apply
Applications are now open for the March 28 event at Lake Superior College. With only 32 spots available, apply today at https://bit.ly/LaunchNorth.