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February 2022
This month's newsletter recognizes the value of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and highlights the people and programs in our community preparing students for high demand, self-sustaining careers. It is also Black History Month. Included below are details on a series of events being co-sponsored by Ramsey County and the City of Saint Paul to celebrate Black History and inspire dialogue on its relevance for an equitable, healthy future for all people. All are welcome!
Thank you for your partnership and continued interest in the priorities of the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County.
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Students are presented with many decisions as they complete high school. College applications, attendance decisions versus entering a career field immediately are just a few. Together with rising education costs and high-demand job openings, those decisions can feel weighty and stressful.
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) in Ramsey County attempts to assist students along that path. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed the importance of career and technical education by allowing students to connect with businesses in different ways, such as an internship, or remote-work option.
Read the full article here.
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Do you know an individual or group who has contributed exceptionally to the support and empowerment of Ramsey County’s youth through personal, academic or career development?
Nominations for the 2022 Vern Vick Memorial Award will be accepted February 14 - March 11. This award honors the memory of Vern Vick by recognizing individuals in Ramsey County who work with and improve the lives of young adults in our community.
The award ceremony will take place during the June 2, 2022 WIB meeting.
Find the award criteria and nomination form here.
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The Inclusive Workplaces Cohort supports 17 local employers in becoming more inclusive workplaces to amplify the diversity of our community as a tool for economic growth. These selected Ramsey County employers are participating in a 10-month peer learning cohort while advancing equity and inclusion in their organizations. Each of the employers has made a commitment of executive leadership participation with an agreement to bring about tangible action or policy changes to their organizations. The WIB is happy to feature two participating organizations each month. This month, we are spotlighting SkyWater Search Partners and Blue Plate Restaurant Company.
The Downtown Service Center located at 160 E. Kellogg Ave. (Government Center East) in Saint Paul has been temporarily relocated to Metro Square. The temporary location in Suite 2500 on the skyway level provides the same services during the same hours and days of operation for an estimated four- to six-week period.
The relocation is necessitated by traffic and other disruptions related to the federal civil rights trial of former Minneapolis Police officers scheduled at the U.S. Courthouse directly across the street from 160 E. Kellogg Ave. Services will resume at the Government Center East Building at the conclusion of the trial.
Operations at Roseville and Maplewood Service Center locations will continue unchanged. For information about all Ramsey County Service Centers, please call 651-266-0600.
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Members of the Workforce Innovation Board are key decision makers within their organizations and experts in the workforce arena appointed by either the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners or the Saint Paul City Council. The City Council recently appointed Mary Rick, Director of Business Development with the City of Saint Paul's Planning and Economic Department.
Welcome, Mary! We look forward to leveraging your skills and experience to advance the WIB's mission.
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Karen Gerdin
Assistant Supervisor, St. Paul Public Schools Adult Basic Education
How is ABE preparing individuals for careers in in-demand occupations?
SPPS ABE - Hubbs Center prepares students for employment when they enroll in our classes. Every class has an employability component which provides the students with the skills needed to move forward. Our adult career pathway classes are academically based with skills training. We offer classes for small business ownership, paraprofessional training, nursing assistant training, medical office, building maintenance and many more. In addition, we provide English Language classes onsite at local businesses. These classes are customized for the company and the learner to improve their basic skills and English proficiency.
Read more about Karen here.
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 The City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County are hosting a series of events for Black History Month. This year’s theme is Black History for the Black Future. Black History is the summation of achievements of civil rights leaders, innovative trailblazers, and beautiful diverse cultural expressions. This year’s programs celebrate Black History and inspires dialogue on its relevance for an equitable, healthy future for all people. Each week of February we’re hosting an event that is sure to spark a continuous dialogue. The first event is Thursday, Feb. 3, noon-1:30p.m. Examine the importance of equitable, inclusive education and careers. Come learn the importance of uplifting Blackness in S.T.E.A.M.
For the full list of events and to register, visit the Black History Month website.
Virtual Lunch and Learn - February 9, 12-12:45 p.m.
Join Ramsey County's One-Stop partners on Wednesday, February 9, from noon to 12:45 p.m. for a virtual Lunch and Learn event to get information about partner program services and build your referral network. This month's featured partner programs include:
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Avivo: Institute of Career and Technical Education and Family Resiliency Program
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Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM): Refugee and Immigrant Employment Services and Career Pathways
Ramsey County One-Stop partners are committed to increasing knowledge of available programs and services, and increasing partner referrals. This event is ideal for service delivery staff and supervisors in workforce, education and community services.
Join the event! No registration is required.
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Metro Region Virtual Job Fairs
Does your organization have positions to fill? Meet, interact with and interview qualified candidates in the metro region during an online career fair. Learn more about participating in CareerForce events by clicking here.
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How Businesses Can Begin to Use Quantitative Data to Advance Racial Equity
By Nathan Arnosti, Director of Analytics, Center for Economic Inclusion
More businesses locally and across the country are recognizing that advancing racial equity and inclusion in their workplace isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s also a competitive necessity. As our country continues to become more racially diverse, the businesses that will thrive in the years ahead will have the practices in place to attract and retain talented workers of all races and ethnicities. But for businesses at the early stages of their racial equity journey, the question remains: how do we begin?
Read the full article here.
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