Greeting partners!  The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on the many accomplishments we have achieved together. The Workforce Innovation Board (WIB) is proud to have supported several county and community-led events in 2022. This month's newsletter features an article highlighting just some of the impactful work that happened in our community this year and also includes information about some upcoming events. You all play a huge role in making Ramsey County a great place to live and work. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to serving all residents in Ramsey County with compassion and dedication. Happy Holidays!   

Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.1% in October 2022, continuing low rates not experienced for decades. Focused efforts, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, by many organizations have aided individuals’ ability to find work.

One such organization in Ramsey County is the WIB, one of 16 legislatively-mandated Workforce Boards in Minnesota. The WIB is based on the belief that everyone who wants to work deserves the dignity of having career choices. Its resources strive to develop strategic solutions for workforce challenges existing in Ramsey County by building meaningful partnerships with business, government, economic development, education and community entities. The WIB guides that collaborative power to meet the needs of area employers and job seekers

The WIB’s strategic efforts in 2022 extended into many different arenas, effectively seeking to address workforce needs throughout Ramsey County. These endeavors were accomplished with Ramsey County Workforce Solutions and included partners such as the city of Saint Paul, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and a network of dedicated partner organizations.   

Read the full story. 

Job Connect is Ramsey County’s job board created in collaboration with local chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and municipalities.  It is free for employers and job seekers to use and includes several unique features, such as the ability to search for jobs by transit accessibility, keyword and location using an interactive map. Consider posting your organization’s job openings and sharing with individuals looking for jobs in Ramsey County.

Visit the Job Connect webpage to learn more! 

Commissioner Jim McDonough

Ramsey County Board of Commissioners

WIB Member, 2004-2008 and 2020-2022

What do you see are the next set of opportunities for the county in the area of workforce development?

I am really happy to see the county and the WIB take a leadership role around digital inclusion. There are so many jobs people can't apply for and a lot of jobs that people can’t access unless they have reliable high speed internet, computers and the skills to use them. These tools are critical to preparing for, getting and then keeping a job. This has become a real equity issue in our community. We have the opportunity to change this and ensure that all our residents have the access and equipment necessary to be part of the workforce today and in the future. 

Read more about Commissioner McDonough and his legacy of impact. 

We are also pleased to share a "thank you" video featuring some of the business and community leaders who have had the pleasure of working with Commissioner McDonough throughout his tenure.  The WIB would also like to thank Commissioner McDonough for his 22 years of dedicated service to the residents of Ramsey County on the county board and for his tremendous leadership. You will be greatly missed!

3M Advanced Training Center Open House              January 25, 4-6 p.m.

The St. Paul Area Chamber, Saint Paul Public Schools and the WIB are excited to showcase a great new project and build connections among organizational and business leaders, and schools. Join us for a special Chamber Connect networking event at the Saint Paul Public Schools'  3M Career Pathways Advanced Training Center! 

Come explore this growing center, which is training students for tomorrow's careers. We'll enjoy food from the Saint Paul College culinary program, and will also hear a short welcome program from Joe Gothard, superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools. 

Register now for this event.

Our Economy Requires Changes to Education 

By Suzanne P. Kelly, Chief of Staff, Center for Economic Inclusion

Research abounds on the pervasiveness of disparities and inequities in urban public education systems. The impacts of this on Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian [Black and Brown) youth are compounded by continuing inequities post high school that result in ongoing income and wealth disparities and under-valuation and utilization of diverse talent in our region. The inequities range from greater access to high quality teachers for white students, lower referrals to AP and honors courses for Black and Brown students, while conversely disproportionately high out-of-classroom time due to suspension, expulsion and office referrals. Those students who are resilient enough to matriculate through 12^th grade, often perform significantly lower on standardized post-secondary entrance exams and often have reading and math scores below grade level. 

A 2022 snapshot of Black student achievement in Minnesota published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, found that “Minnesota’s public education system consistently underserves Black and African American students.“ And while many Minnesotans find such statistics alarming, they often fail to connect persistent opportunity gaps experienced by children of color to a lifetime of economic disparities for the individual and for our overall regional economic health. 

Read the full article.