DEED Roundup-May 4, 2015

DEED Roundup Weekly Newsletter Header
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May 4, 2015

In the News

Leading the Way in Workforce Training
Business Facilities-March/April 2015
Minnesota was among several states hailed by Business Facilities magazine for leading the way in preparing potential employees and matching them to available jobs. The magazine said Minnesota has developed top-notch workforce training programs, including the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership, and is proposing a Pathways to Prosperity Initiative that would help train people for jobs now and into the future.

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Girl with ice cream cones

Teen Summer Job Outlook Improves
Northwest Community TV-4/29/15
Chipotle is recruiting teens to fill job openings at company restaurants throughout the state this summer. The fast-casual restaurant chain isn't alone. Restaurants and retail businesses -- typically two of the biggest employers of teenagers -- have improved job opportunities this year for young people.  "There's help wanted signs all over the place," says DEED's Oriane Casale.

Did You Know?

cattle

The animal health sector plays a significant role in the state economy, employing 53,030 workers at more than 44 companies, according to a new report by LifeScience Alley. Most companies are clustered in Worthington, Willmar and the Twin Cities.

Recent Press Releases

Lieutenant Governor Attends Werner Event
Lt. Gov. Tina Smith joined other officials at a groundbreaking last week for a $4 million expansion project at Werner Electric in Cottage Grove. DEED approved $325,000 for the project from the Job Creation Fund. The business plans to expand its workforce by 46 employees at the site. The new space will allow Werner to operate its own finance, purchasing, pricing and human resource offices, which previously were handled by the firm's out-of-state parent company.

Recent Blog Posts

Man at factory

Minnesota Business First Stop was created in 2012 to deliver state resources and services more efficiently to businesses. Since then, it has assisted with 22 business projects in the state. The latest project was the $17.5 million expansion at Grede Holdings, a foundry in St. Cloud.

National Small Business Week

Considering Minnesota has more than 500,000 small businesses, it's worth noting that this week is National Small Business Week. The U.S. Small Business Administration launched the annual event in 1963  to honor the contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small-business owners. DEED is recognizing the event this week with a series of blog posts about how small businesses can use social media to raise awareness about their brands. Go here to read a new posting each day.

Serving Our Clients

Two men at table

DEED and the Department of Human Services will join forces in Duluth next month to sponsor the Third Annual Joint Counselor Training. This year's conference theme is "Bridging the Gaps." The two-day event will focus on how the workforce development system can improve on its efforts to help people achieve their job goals. The event will be held June 3-4 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. More details, including registration information, can be found here.