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May 2023
Greeting partners!
This month's newsletter puts a spotlight on tech careers and draws awareness to the vital role the technology industry plays in our local and regional economy. Employment in tech occupations is projected to grow annually through 2027 in Ramsey County, while average change in employment overall is likely to remain flat.
On Tuesday, the county board proclaimed May at Tech Month in Ramsey County. I was joined at the ceremony by Councilmember Chris Tolbert, Jeff Tollefson from MnTech, Scott Burns from Structural and members of WIB's Tech Committee. Their leadership is instrumental to ensuring that Ramsey County is a community of innovation.
The WIB's Tech Committee and several partners are sponsoring tech focused events throughout the month. Details about the events are below and on the Tech Month webpage. The page also includes industry stats and resources for students, employers and job seekers.
I am also pleased to share the 2022 Annual Business Report for Workforce Solutions and the WIB. The report demonstrates the impactful leadership of our workforce board and the tremendous efforts of our staff and partners. It also highlights several events and new initiatives that allowed for deeper connections and impact within the community.
The WIB is committed to advancing the county’s goals of cultivating economic prosperity and enhancing opportunities for all job seekers and businesses. Thank you for your support of these goals as we work together to collectively build a more inclusive economy.
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 Pictured from left to right: Councilmember Chris Tolbert, Mary Rick, Ling Becker, Scott Burns, Jeff Tollefson, Caroline Karanja, Sam Drong and Commissioner Rena Moran.
The WIB and Workforce Solutions' 2022 Annual Report is now available. The report showcases the achievements of Workforce Solutions and the WIB in their work with residents, businesses and community partners in 2022.
Despite the tight labor market, Workforce Solutions served over 9,300 job seekers last year. Although most services were delivered through traditional county-funded workforce programming, over 2,300 residents were served through Workforce Solutions’ Career Services in Career Labs, by phone or online. Many of our customers continue to engage with us, however, almost half of the program clients were either placed into employment or received training. A wide majority of the individuals and families served were Saint Paul residents.
Visit the report to learn about programs and services, financial and funding sources, projects and initiatives and success stories.
Ramsey County is proud to release the final Connectivity Blueprint report which will also be shared at a press conference this week at Neighborhood House.
The Connectivity Blueprint report makes clear what intuitively brought us all to this project: The future of jobs, healthcare, school, social connection, and opportunity are online. We simply can’t get to an equitable future and an inclusive economy if we can’t get everyone in Ramsey County and Saint Paul online and connected.
Equally important, it’s now clear that policymakers need to expand their thinking about digital equity. It’s about people, not wires. It’s about getting people connected and helping them stay connected, infrastructure is not enough.
Our results come as Minnesota is preparing to create its first Digital Inclusion strategy and preparing to deploy first-time digital equity dollars, and we hope that this report will keep community voices front-and-center in the planning.
Learn more about Connectivity Blueprint.
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This year, 12 businesses in Ramsey County are participating in the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort, a 9-month peer learning program to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in their organizations. One of the participating organizations will be spotlighted each month on social media and in the WIB newsletter. This month's featured organization is Innovize.
The WIB is currently accepting membership applications for the 2023-2025 term. Take your place in joining with other community leaders engaged in supporting a more inclusive Ramsey County economy. As a member of the WIB, you can IMPACT workforce initiatives in our community that ensure businesses have the talent they need and residents have access to opportunity and prosperity.
Learn more about WIB membership or contact Becky Milbrandt with questions about the application process and eligibility requirements.
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Councilmember Chris Tolbert
Ward 3 Councilmember, City of Saint Paul
WIB Member since 2016
What makes you most excited about tech and innovation in Saint Paul?
There is so much in this space that excites me. I admire the courage of entrepreneurs who bet on themselves and their ideas. I love to see people bring new perspectives and solutions to solving problems. I appreciate the great companies and family supporting jobs that the tech and innovation sectors support and create. But most of all, I’m excited to see what the future of tech and innovation holds for our city. I’m betting on our people and community to continue to be a leader in this space.
Learn more about Councilmember Tolbert and his commitment to advancing opportunities in tech in Saint Paul.
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 Tech Month focuses on the importance the tech industry plays as a key driver of growth in our state and local economy. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development projects have a high demand for IT professionals in Minnesota through 2028 and beyond.
The WIB is supporting several local events throughout the month to give students, job seekers and employers insight into the wide range of opportunities in this vital industry.
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Tech on Tap – May 4, 4–6 p.m. Join this monthly event consisting of casual networking and craft beer. Sponsored by Full Stack Saint Paul.
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Tech4All: Big Ideas, Virtual Reality and Community! – May 11, 2–6 p.m. A free event offering opportunities to explore technology, learn about obtaining a career in tech and discover more than 20 trade career paths through a virtual reality exploration program. Information on tech training scholarships and other learning opportunities for youth and adults will also be available. All are welcome. Sponsored by Ramsey County and the WIB.
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Open Source North – May 24, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
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Data and Dialogue: Reconsidering Tech Minimum Qualifications – May 24, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. A lunch and data-focused discussion on tech workforce to assist employers with hiring for the most challenging positions. Sponsored by Ramsey County and the WIB.
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Metro Region Online Technology Career Fair – May 31, 8–10:30 a.m. A virtual job fair featuring guest speaker Jeff Tollefson of MnTech, opportunities to connect directly with hiring professionals and more. Sponsored by Ramsey County, the WIB and other metro area workforce development divisions.
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Roseville Job Fair – May 31, 3–6 p.m. Bring your resumé, best first impression and get hired at this in-person job fair. Connect with hiring employers, in tech and other industries, who are eager to meet candidates with a variety of work experience and backgrounds. All are welcome. Sponsored by Ramsey County and the WIB.
Lunch & Learn
May 10
Noon–12:45 p.m.
Are you hungry to connect? Join Ramsey County's One-Stop partners on Wednesday, May 10 from noon to 12:45 p.m. for a virtual Lunch & Learn event to get information about partner program services and build your referral network.
As part of Tech Month, the next Lunch and Learn features a training on Assistive Technology. Featured trainer:
- John Bredehoft, Rehabilitation Program Specialist – Assistive Technology, Vocational Rehabilitation Services
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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 Youth Job and Resource Fair
May 13
Noon–2 p.m.
The Youth Job and Resource Job Fair is coming to the Maplewood Mall. Local employers are eager to meet youth ages 14-24!
Join us to have fun while job searching – enjoy a chair message, meet “Huxley” our favorite canine welcomer, visit resource tables and meet your future potential employer. Receive a goodie bag and a flower for anyone you want to honor on Mother’s Day. Recruit an adult mentor to attend with you and each receive a $10 gift card, sponsored by SPIRE Credit Union.
Military Appreciation Event May 17
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Veterans, service members and their families are invited to the CareerForce location is Saint Paul for an appreciation event and resource fair. Visit with employers and service provider partners to learn about training opportunities, get help with job search and resume building, and more. We look forward to seeing you at this special event!
Learn more about this event.
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Seventh Annual Union Job and Resource Fair
May 24
11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Join us for an event intended to connect individuals in our community with potential employers and local resources to create pathways towards a union career. Job seekers will also:
- Discover your path to a union career!
- Earn while you learn and rise above minimum wage!
- Learn about the advantages of a union job!
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local110 Hall
1330 Conway St
Saint Paul, MN 55106
Learn more about this event.
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 Roseville Job Fair
May 31
3–6 p.m.
Bring your resumé, your best best first impression and get hired at this in-person job fair. Connect with hiring employers in tech and other industries who are eager to meet candidates with a variety of work experience and backgrounds. All are welcome!
Ramsey County Library in Roseville
Community Program Room
2180 Hamline Ave N
Roseville, MN 55113
Learn more about this event.
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  Fair Opportunities connections through art
On April 20, the WIB co-hosted a business networking event in partnership with the Saint Paul Area Chamber. The event, held at Creators Space in Lowertown, featured Art from the Inside's most recent exhibit of original works created by artists at Minnesota correctional facilities. Nearly 50 business and community leaders attended the event. They were able to view the exhibit and gain a deeper understanding about the barriers individuals leaving incarceration face, especially in securing employment.
Speakers at the event, pictured below, stressed the importance of recognizing the value of those who have been impacted by our criminal justice system and ensuring we don't leave anyone on the sidelines. The crowd also heard the powerful testimony of Jennifer Marx, who shared about her journey of healing through art and the importance of her job opportunity at Repowered played in successfully getting her life back on track after serving her sentence.
You can more about Jennifer and Art from the Inside in the article, The Art of Healing.
 Pictured left to right: Donna Herbel, Interim Director of Workforce Readiness at Repowered, Commissioner Rena Moran, Jennifer Marx, Art from the Inside Founder, Antonio Espinosa and St. Paul Area Chamber Vice President of Business & Talent Development, Kevion Ellis.
This feature is the third in a series of Fair Opportunities articles meant to raise awareness of the employment needs of justice-impacted individuals and the benefits to employers willing to give these returning citizens a chance at meaningful employment. Please visit the Fair Opportunities Hiring page on the Ramsey County Means Business website to find more resources and events being supported by the WIB.
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