|
|
March 2022
Did you know that females make up over half of Ramsey County's working population? This month's newsletter showcases the tremendous contributions that women make in our workforce, on our local economy and in our community. Be sure to check out all of the activities happening during Women in Construction Week, March 6-12.
Also, don't miss out on the chance to nominate someone who is doing great work on behalf of our young people for the 2022 Vern Vick Award. Additional details are below.
Your partnership and continued interest in the priorities of the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County are truly appreciated.
|
The Department of Labor has reported approximately 11 million job openings across the nation at the end of 2021. While the American economy added 467,000 jobs in the month of January 2022, women gained just 40.3% of those positions, resulting in one million fewer women in the labor force than February 2020. As such, women offer the potential of an underrepresented pool of workers capable of filling these economic needs.
Local businesses and organizations in Ramsey County, Minnesota, recognize that potential. According to U.S. Census Bureau data for 2020, 142,051 women worked in Ramsey County, 51% of the total employment, but about 10,000 fewer jobs than in 2019. As a result, those groups have a heightened focus today on increasing female workforce participation.
Read the full story here.
|
Honor someone who has contributed exceptionally to the support and empowerment of Ramsey County’s youth by nominating them for the 2022 Vern Vick Memorial Award! Nominations will be accepted through 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, especially during the pandemic.
Find the award criteria and nomination form here.
|
 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 Merrick Inc. and the Science Museum of Minnesota.
The Downtown Service Center located at 160 E. Kellogg Ave. (Government Center East) in Saint Paul was relocated to the Metro Square Building, 121 7th Place East - Suite 2500 (skyway level), during the federal civil rights trial of three former Minneapolis Police officers. Although the trial has concluded, services will continue to be provided at the Metro Square location at this time. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday.
Operations at the Roseville and Maplewood Service Center locations are unchanged. For information about all Ramsey County Service Centers, please call 651-266-0600.
|
|
Yolanda McIntosh
Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
Share about your work at Associated General Contractors of MN
I am the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the Associated General Contractors of MN (AGC MN), a non-profit professional trade association where I serve as a catalyst and a conduit in partnering members with resources, opportunities, and advocacy to further support diverse businesses and communities of color in their concerted efforts to compete for projects and provide employment in all aspects of today’s vast and expansive industry. Under my leadership, AGC MN has created a member-led DEI Council. The DEI Council serves as a resource for the association to create best practices that foster minority and women owned businesses, employment opportunities, and business and employment requirements and standards.
In the DEI space, AGC MN is working to ensure members are equipped with the resources they need to combat harassment, hazing and bullying. Initiated as a partnership between AGC of America and AGC of Washington, Culture of CARE is an initiative created to advance the construction industry as the industry of choice for diverse and talented worker by building inclusive work environments in construction firms nationwide. For more information: www.buildculture.org
Read more about Yolanda here.
|
|
|
Virtual Lunch and Learn - March 9, 12-12:45 p.m.
Join Ramsey County's One-Stop partners on Wednesday, March 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:
- Presenter: Twin Cities R!se - Career Coaching and Industry Pathways
- Presenter: Daily Work - Holistic Job Search Supports and Resource Connections
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.
|
 March 6-12 is Women in Construction Week! Visit the National Association of Women in Construction's website for details on all the events happening locally, including the Beyond the Pink Gear Sale and Swap on March 8 and a discussion on the Power of Social Media presented by McGough Construction on March 10.
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.
|
|
|
Advocating for Inclusive Job Growth
By Isaac Russell, Director of Public Policy, and Andrea Ferstan, Vice President of Innovation, Policy and Research, Center for Economic Inclusion
Our state economy faces a set of unique challenges. Employers are currently struggling to find and retain talent. They are also grappling with disrupted supply chains and a lack of relationships with and access to diverse suppliers positioned to meet their procurement needs.
Workers, both employed and those seeking employment, continue to face challenges finding good jobs that pay family sustaining wages and offer benefits that help families move up the economic ladder. The shortage of good jobs with employers who foster racial equity, inclusion, and belonging in ways that help employees feel affirmed and appreciated for who they are not only harms workers, it is also a barrier for employers who need high engagement to drive productivity, retention, and economic growth.
One solution is to invest in inclusive job growth. Investing in job creation, business development, and supplier diversity strategies to expand the number of jobs in businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian people and women-owned businesses can accelerate inclusive economic growth in Minnesota and expand employment avenues for Ramsey County residents.
Read the full article here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
