July 18, 2024

Northland Community & Technical College has another national award winner as of June. The Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association named Ashley Gillund, Northland’s Director of Workplace Safety Training, their “Woman of the Year” for 2024. Established in 1983, the award recognizes one exceptional woman who has significantly contributed to promoting health and safety specifically in the mining industry.

Since joining Northland’s Workforce Development Solutions team in 2017, Gillund has played a leading role in collaborating with industry partners to elevate workplace safety throughout the upper Midwest region. As the Director of Workplace Safety Training, Gillund collaborates with businesses to provide comprehensive safety and health solutions for employees, ensuring compliance with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) regulations. 

Northland has been a recipient of MSHA state grants for many years, providing comprehensive compliance and training solutions to regional mine operators and contractors.

In her Director role at Northland, Gillund’s primary responsibilities include delivering initial and ongoing safety training to meet federal and state standards. She also serves as a valuable resource for enhancing safety programs and policies, conducting workplace walk-throughs, performing employee assessments and managing special projects as needed. Gillund’s “Woman of the Year” award recognizes her dedication to promoting workforce safety following the MSHA and OSHA guidelines.

“I have been a part of the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association (JAHSA) since starting at Northland in 2017,” Gillund said. “I am deeply honored to receive this recognition. It serves as a tremendous motivation for me. I remain committed to the important work we do and am excited about the future.”

Gillund is quick to note that the award is a significant achievement not just for her, but also for Northland and her department at large. In her eyes, it highlights their commitment to delivering superior training and development programs that empower businesses and individuals alike. The recognition reflects not only her dedication, but also the strong support received from the entire Northland administration, industry leaders and clients.

“My phone is constantly ringing, or emails are coming in, seeking guidance and support,” Gillund said. “I have the opportunity to go out into the field and observe people in action. It might be a mine site one day and a school bus garage the next. Working with diverse people across different industries makes my job enjoyable, and I thrive on the continuous learning it offers.”

While honored to receive the recognition, Gillund remains steadfast in her commitment to her field, diving into cutting edge technology to help her colleagues stay up-to-date with the latest advancements. 

“I am looking forward to presenting for the fifth time at the National Training Resources Applied to Mining (TRAM) conference that MSHA holds at their academy each year,” she said. “This year, I am teaming up with the University of Texas, Austin. Our focus is on AI and how we can utilize these new and emerging technologies for program development and curriculum enhancement.”