 Director’s Corner
Happy autumn, everyone. We hope that
our DW program customers are having a smooth transition into fall semester. We
have a few big updates.
First – You may have heard that the
Workforce Development Division is being renamed the “Employment and Training
Programs Division”, which falls in the Workforce Development arena at DEED
along with Unemployment Insurance, State Services for the Blind, Vocational
Rehabilitation Services, Disability Determination Services, and the Governor’s
Workforce Development Board.
Second – The position for the
Director of the Employment and Training Programs Division has been posted.
Please share the
posting with your networks!
Third – Some time ago, DEED tried
moving the WIOA Adult program operations into the Adult Career Pathways unit.
We have collectively decided that due to the similarities and overlap with the
Dislocated Worker program, we are moving that program BACK into the DW/TAA
unit.
Fourth – Minnesota is proud to be
hosting the upcoming Region V Roundtable for all states in our region:
Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and
Wisconsin. The conference will be held in downtown St. Paul October 26-27,
2016. Representatives from each state attend – leaders and program operators in
the field of Rapid Response and Trade Adjustment Assistance. We are planning a
robust agenda which will delve deeply into the state administration policies
and procedures for these areas of service delivery for dislocated workers.
Finally – we continue to have changes on our team. Please welcome back Mai Neng Moua! She is just returning from a one year leave of absence to complete her memoir. We are thrilled to have her back! Also, one of our rapid response team members and our community outreach team lead, Kirk Crowshoe, is moving into the Workforce Systems Coordination Office, so will no longer be a part of the Rapid Response team. On that note, Sylvia Garcia is returning to work on the Rapid Response team full-time, so no more work with community outreach specifically. Please take a look at the team roster on the right column of this newsletter for a complete look at the team.
Thank you for your attention, and as
always, for your continued excellent work!
Annie
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 CORNER ON THE MARKET:
WITH CAMERON MACHT
Regional
Analysis & Outreach Manager
Minnesota
Dept. of Employment & Economic Development
http://mn.gov/deed/
cameron.macht@state.mn.us
320-441-6596
Manufacturing
in Minnesota
October 2nd marks the start of Minnesota Manufacturing Week, a
celebration of the critical role that the dynamic and robust manufacturing
industry plays in Minnesota’s diverse economy. Each year during Manufacturing
Week, DEED encourages and works with communities, local and regional Chambers
of Commerce, trade associations, companies and others to mark the time with
special events recognizing the economic importance of the sector.
With approximately 8,000 establishments
supplying over 317,000 jobs, manufacturing is the second largest employing
industry in state behind just health care and social assistance. Statewide, manufacturing accounts for 11.4
percent of total jobs, providing 1 in every 9 jobs. The manufacturing industry
also likes to boast about the strong multiplier effect it has on employment in
other industries, including transportation and warehousing, wholesale trade,
and management of companies.
Perhaps surprisingly, manufacturing
added the third largest number of new jobs in the state over the past year, and
the past five years. After gaining 5,400 net new jobs since 2014 and 25,000
jobs since 2010; manufacturing trails only health care and social assistance
and construction in new job growth during that timeframe.
With more than $20 billion in total
payroll in 2015, Manufacturing is also the second largest contributor to wages
in the state, behind health care. However, average annual wages for
manufacturing were nearly $15,000 higher than wages in health care, and $10,000
higher than the total of all industries. At $63,232 in 2015, average annual
wages in manufacturing easily exceed the basic needs cost of living for a
typical family in the state.
For more information about
manufacturing in Minnesota, visit: https://mn.gov/deed/business/locating-minnesota/industries-sectors/manufacturing/
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 POLICY UPDATES
New Dislocated Worker policies
coming soon:
With the release of the WIOA final
regulations, DEED is in the process of updating or creating several new
policies to guide counselors and staff to ensure the best quality of service
for our customers and stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
1. Expenditure and cost category requirements:
This proposed policy has received the nickname
“The spend your money policy.” The policy will spell out the changes to such
fiscal items like “carry forward,” “cost categories,” and “waivers.” It will
provide more clarity to reflect current state and federal law for providers to
successfully facilitate the expenditures on their grants.
2. CLIMB (Converting Layoffs into Minnesota
Businesses):
This
activity has been successful in helping entrepreneurs start their own businesses,
after they have been laid off by their employer. DEED continues to provide technical
assistance and advice to providers on this activity and the new policy will
address such hot button issues such as “what activity do I enroll customers
in,” “when to exit customers,” and “how does CLIMB affect performance.”
3. Dislocated Worker to Adult Transfers:
With changes to the WIOA regulations, DEED has
to update our policy and procedure on how to best administer and approve
transfers of federal money.
Following previous practice, all new
and updated DEED policies will be placed online for public comment before final
implementation.
Please send any questions you may
have to Monica Weber at Monica.Weber@state.mn.us.
Sector Partnership National Dislocated Worker Grant
Clarification
The eligibility criteria for the
Sector Partnership National Dislocated Worker Grant (SP NDWG) are the same as
for the WIOA Dislocated Worker program. You are welcome to serve ANY DISLOCATED
WORKER using SP NDWG funding. Minnesota has been reminded to prioritize
customers who are long-term unemployed. We must also emphasize work-based
training such as on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs using these grant dollars.
Please send any questions you may
have to Annie Welch at Annie.Welch@state.mn.us.
 SUCCESS STORIES
“It
was wonderful working with my counselor because she is always encouraging,
advising and counseling me, even to this day.”
What a wonderful
blessing it has been for me and my family to be able to get this training so
that I can support them.
Ndi, Washington County
On September 24, 2014 I came to
America from Cameroon, Africa with my wife and three children, seeking safety
and a better life for my family.
When I arrived I was reunited with
my Cameroon community and that is where I heard about Angela and the Washington
County WorkForce Center. I learned she might be able to help me with tuition
costs to further my education. Angela
assessed my previous work experience and interests, which lead me to enroll in
Class A CDL training. In January of 2015 I enrolled at Century College. I am really grateful to Nick, an Instructor
at Century, who didn’t give up on me.
Right after passing my Class A CDL
license, I started working for a transportation company which brought me to
Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, North Dakota and Indiana.
I am so very grateful to be able to
support my family.
Providers-If you have a success story you would like to see used in an upcoming publication, please send a picture, the story and contact information for the individual to: Sylvia Garcia at Sylvia.Garcia@state.mn.us.
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We want this e-Newsletter to meet your needs! We
encourage you to send your comments and suggestions to Liz.McLoone@state.mn.us,
View past editions of the Partner Express
Newsletter at http://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/dislocated-worker/counselors/news/index.jsp
Wanting to subscribe to this newsletter? Contact Liz McLoone at Liz.McLoone@state.mn.us with your request!
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