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December 2021
Season's Greetings! This month's newsletter features disability services and the important role that individuals with disabilities play in our workforce. You will also find information on several upcoming events, an Inclusive Workplaces Cohort spotlight and a great article on reimagining talent development and retention.
The end of the year is a great time to reflect on our accomplishments and give thanks for our many community partners as we work together to serve the job seekers and businesses in Ramsey County. On behalf of the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County, I would like to express my gratitude for our work together and look forward to deepening our partnerships in the new year.
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Labor shortages swept across the country in 2021, as businesses could not find enough workers despite high unemployment rates. While Ramsey County unemployment has historically been lower than national averages, local businesses and employment agencies still strive to match employment opportunities with those seeking jobs. One Ramsey County organization, Merrick, Inc., does just that and more.
Merrick is Ramsey County’s largest provider offering a full array of day services to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. What started nearly 60 years ago as a means to help a handful of persons has grown to a mission to empower the overall lives of nearly 400 adult clients each year with meaningful employment, life enrichment opportunities, and self-advocacy.
Find the full article here.
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At the November 17, 2021, Tekne Awards hosted by The Minnesota Technology Association (MnTech) Ramsey County's TechPak Initiative received first place in the Tech For Good category which recognizes novel implementations of technology to serve an unmet community need. Awards are given in 13 categories that span a wide range of leading-edge technologies. For the past two decades, the Tekne Awards have recognized organizations that are innovators in science and technology throughout Minnesota.
Read more about the Tekne Award and the TechPak Program here.
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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 the Como Park Falcon Heights Living at Home Block Nurse Program and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.
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Jennifer Germain
Rehabilitation Area Manager, Department of Employment and Economic Development Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Where do you see the most opportunities for individuals with disabilities?
There is a prime opportunity within our current economy to open doors to people with disabilities as they are an untapped resource to employers and want to work. Hiring people with disabilities creates inclusion and diversity within the workforce and plays a critical role in competitiveness, creativity, decision-making, and innovation. We have embraced opportunities within the local community to educate, partner, and work with other agencies and business to continue to build our network so that we can help people with disabilities to become independent and successful.
Read more about Jennifer and DEED Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
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Lunch and Learn - December 8, 2021
Join Ramsey County's One-Stop partners on Wednesday, December 8, from noon to 1 p.m. for a virtual Lunch and Learn event to get information about various partner services and build your referral network. This event is ideal for service delivery staff and supervisors in workforce, education and community services. No registration is required.
Ramsey County One-Stop partners are committed to increasing knowledge of available programs and services, and increasing partner referrals.
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Metro Area Interactive Online Job Fair - December 14
Join us for the next metro area online job fair on Tuesday, December 14, 2-5 p.m. This virtual career fair experience will feature companies offering job seekers a wide variety of positions. Register here.
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Commercial Vehicle Driver Training
Ramsey County is partnering with MnDOT, the City of Saint Paul, and several other agencies to offer free informational sessions for people interested in learning more about how to earn their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Attendees will also meet with potential employers and get an overview of available job postings. Information sessions are being held on December 7, 15 and January 11.
For additional information, see the info session flyer or call Christine at 651-366-3410.
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Changing Demographics and Work: Reimaging Talent Development and Retention
By Andrea Ferstan, Vice President of Systems Innovation, Center for Economic Inclusion
Employers across sectors are regularly lamenting about the difficulties of finding and retaining talent. The reverberations of the Covid-19 pandemic and the accelerated move towards automation and digitalization are projected to “…eliminate about 85 million jobs in the next five years—potentially displacing up to half of the United States workforce with no clear path for them to connect to the new jobs likely to be created by these technological changes.” [1] Those most impacted by this convergence have been and will be women, Indigenous, and Black Minnesotans.
So how can businesses adapt and respond to these demographic and industry changes to ensure a competitive advantage by leveraging the diverse talent in our region? New research from APM Research Labs notes that “…four-fifths of BIPOC Minnesotans believe employment discrimination is a regular problem for their racial or ethnic group in Minnesota.”
Read the full article here.
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