Joe Gabardi serves as a Customized Training Representative at Minnesota North College, where he works directly with regional employers to design and deliver workforce training solutions tailored to industry needs.
Joe brings more than 20 years of experience in education and workforce development, having spent the majority of his career teaching Automotive Technology and Welding. Most recently, he served as Executive Manager of The Forge, a workforce training, fabrication, and entrepreneurial hub operated by Itasca Economic Development Corporation. In that role, he led facility expansion projects, managed industry partnerships, supported student and adult training programs, and helped align education with real-world workforce demands.
Joe holds a Bachelor of Science from Bemidji State University and a Master’s Degree in Education. He is passionate about hands-on learning, career pathways, and building strong connections between education and industry to support economic growth across northern Minnesota.
He lives on the Iron Range with his wife, Sarah, and their three children, and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.
