Weekly Updates for Staff and Partners
CareerForceMN.com is changing to CareerForce.MN.gov in June
The date for this web address change (sometimes called a URL change) is still being finalized, but it will likely happen in early June. This change is part of the labor exchange replacement project.
What this means for you:
- Pages on CareerForceMN.com will redirect to (automatically send you to) the corresponding pages on CareerForce.MN.gov when the web address changes.
- If you have CareerForceMN.com pages bookmarked or if you are a partner with a website linking to a page or pages on CareerForceMN.com you will need to update your bookmark(s) or links(s) within the next year, before the redirect expires.
Soft launch of new job posting platform for employers coming soon
MinnesotaWorks.net is not going away yet. The DEED Workforce Digital Products team is planning to soft launch the new platform in June to begin a phased transition to the new platform. Employers will access this new platform via a page on CareerForce.MN.gov.
What this means for you:
- Training for DEED staff, LWDA staff and other stakeholders on how to use/how to help employer customers use the new platform will take place in April and May 2025.
- Soft launch of the new platform with outreach to high-use employers currently active on MinnesotaWorks.net will begin in June 2025.
- Additional employers will be communicated with and encouraged to create their account on the new platform up through and after the retirement of MinnesotaWorks.net next year.
Find out more
Attend the labor exchange replacement project update meeting.
March 5
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
On Teams
If you would like to attend the meeting and have not received an Outlook invitation, please email vanessa.east@state.mn.us to be added to the attendee list.
Vie additional resources, including recordings of past meetings, on the labor exchange replacement project webpage.
Job Seeker Experience Survey results
Thank you to the nearly 270 DEED staff, LWDA staff and workforce development partners who responded to the first quarterly Job Seeker Experience Survey!
Of the 269 CareerForce Staff and Partners across Minnesota who responded to a month-long survey that closed on February 7, 90% said job seekers they are working with generally need more time to find employment, compared to the time needed by job seekers they served a year ago.
IT positions like help desk staff, database administrators and computer systems analysts, office support professionals like administrative assistants, clerks and office managers as well as teacher positions, including special education teachers, are among the top positions CareerForce Staff and Partners say currently take three months or more for most job seekers they serve to land.
Read the full blog post on CareerForceMN.com.
There are three goals of this quarterly survey:
- Gathering anecdotal “job seeker experience” info that could be useful in multiple ways
- Providing potential opportunities for free media coverage to raise awareness about CareerForce
- Showcasing CareerForce staff and partners as the job search experts in Minnesota
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March is Explore Construction Employment Month
CareerForce marks March as Explore Construction Employment Month. Throughout the month, we'll share resources related to employment in construction.
If you have upcoming job fairs, career exploration opportunities or other events related to construction, please send that info with rita.beatty@state.mn.us, so we can share your information in CareerForce communications.
Please also check out our editorial calendar outlining posts that will be shared on CareerForceMN social channels and use these social graphics in your posts:
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Free construction training and job placement for qualified individuals - preapplications being accepted now
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and DEED are offering highway construction cement mason training at NO COST to qualified individuals.
The training program is offered to prepare qualified candidates for employment in MnDOT-associated highway construction projects. Please encourage individuals you serve from high-unemployment, low-educational attainment or low-income communities to apply.
Training dates: April 14 – May 23, 2025
Program assistance may also include help with purchasing basic tools and work clothing, and cover specific expenses associated with finding and keeping a job.
Individuals interested in the program must complete and submit a preapplication. A downloadable and fillable preapplication and more information about the program can be found on CareerForceMN.com or by contacting sylvia.garcia@state.mn.us.
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March 5: Workforce Wednesday
Encourage employers you are working with to join the Workforce Strategy Consultant team and panelists for the next Workforce Wednesday. CareerForce staff and partners are also invited to join the meeting, of course!
11a.m. - noon - panel discussion
Noon - 12:30 p.m. - "unplugged" time when you can unmute and ask questions of panelists and Workforce Strategy Consultants
Register now
If you have any issues registering, please try using Google Chrome.
Topic: Strategies for Developing a Fair Chance Workforce
Join DEED's Workforce Strategy Consultants on March 5 to learn about legal compliance, successful hiring strategies and the rewards of hiring people with a criminal record. This event will be recorded and will be made available for viewing after the event.
For general questions and accommodation requests, email della.ludwig@state.mn.us
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March 6: What's New with CareerForce
DEED staff, LWDA staff and workforce development partners from across Minnesota are encouraged to join us for the next What's New with CareerForce webinar.
Thursday, March 6
10-11 a.m.
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 241 777 052 950
Passcode: Gf3St2xz
Topics:
- Update from DEED Deputy Commissioner Marc Majors
- Youth employment resources and insights
- Explore Construction Employment resources
- MNDOT-DEED Pre-Apprentice Highway Construction Training
- Labor exchange replacement project updates, including the URL change
- More!
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Regional labor market information blogs
Drive for 5 resources and reminders
Do you offer a Drive for 5 funded training program?
Are you working with an industry association or local chamber on job placement opportunities with employers?
Make sure to list your training opportunities on the CareerForce Training Program Finder so job seekers can find them easily. Questions about how to do this? Contact CareerForce@state.mn.us
Reach out to the Employer Engagement Team for help connecting program participants with local employers. Email Employer.Engagement.DEED@state.mn.us.
Share your Drive for 5 success stories with us and we'll share them on CareerForceMN.com, on CareerForceMN social media and potentially in other ways! Send your success story info to rita.beatty@state.mn.us.
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Questions or comments about this email? Please send them to rita.beatty@state.mn.us with Weekly CareerForce Update in the subject line.
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