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14 | I NSIGH T • J a n u a r y 2 0 15 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m APPLETON CENTER thank you to all of the 2014 summit sponsors af liate collaborator team member friend in-kind See photos and more from New North Summit 2014 at www.newnorthsummit.com. For investment opportunities: Ann Duginske, 920.336.3860 or aduginske@thenewnorth.com continuing funding for the program as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. » THE LAKESHORE Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan Counties New partnership to nurture tourism talent Lake Michigan area resort operators have teamed up with Lakeland College to grow the tourism talent pool for the region. Blue Harbor Resort & Spa, e Osthoff Resort and Destination Kohler will collaborate on the partnership, making a number of entry-level positions and internships available to Lakeland hospitality management students. For the resorts, the partnership addresses challenges of attracting and retaining qualified and dependable employees, especially during holidays and the summer. "If you ask area executives across all industry sectors what their biggest challenge for the future is, they are likely to respond 'the availability of a viable workforce,'" says David Sanderson, vice president and general manager of Blue Harbor Resort & Spa in Sheboygan. "Tourism is no different. With this partnership, we have an opportunity to overcome that challenge, while providing a real-world practical laboratory for students to augment their academic requirements." Sanderson says Blue Harbor has hired several Lakeland graduates into management jobs during his four- year tenure and he expects that number to grow. For Lakeland students, the new program is an opportunity to earn up to $8,000 a year toward the cost of college while also getting industry experience. e jobs are not guaranteed, and students will have to interview for any posted positions. "Students and parents want to be sure that their investment will end in a job with good pay and benefits that would not be available without earning a college degree," says Lakeland President Dan Eck. "is partnership could significantly reduce a hard-working student's debt load, and, in some cases, even completely eliminate student loan debt—a remarkable achievement that will set those students on a road to financial well-being immediately aer graduation." Lakeland and the resorts will work together on work and classroom scheduling beneficial to the students involved. In some cases, Lakeland may explore holding certain classes on site at the employer's facilities. Send business news updates and photos to edit@insightonbusiness.com.