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May 2022
I am excited to announce the release of the WIB and Workforce Solutions 2021 Annual Business Report. Together, we strive to collectively build a more inclusive economy through workforce development programs and services supporting Ramsey County job seekers and employers. The annual report demonstrates this commitment and the catalyzing impact of building connections within the workforce ecosystem. Thank you for your support and partnership in these efforts.
This month's newsletter highlights the unique workforce needs of our young people and showcases some of the incredible people and innovative initiatives happening in our community. Also, be sure to check out all the upcoming events taking place this month. There's so much going on! I hope you can join us.
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On April 12, the WIB’s Tech Committee and the Saint Paul Public Library hosted a Game Toward Your Future event for young people. It featured a panel of industry experts who shared how gaming/AR/VR can be a pathway to employment in the tech industry. There were demos, opportunities for first hand VR experiences, giveaways and a meal. The event was a sellout and a huge hit! Panelists included:
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Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Such is the case in a unique partnership between Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota’s (GESMN) construction training program and Ramsey County.
When a historic-registered home on 735 Margaret Street in St. Paul became a tax-forfeited property, an innovative model came to fruition. Ramsey County’s Property Tax, Records and Election Services department brings such properties back into productive use and its Workforce Solutions department helps connect job seekers with jobs.. GESMN offers free, twelve-week construction training for people to enter the field.
With the help of federal CARES funding awarded to Ramsey County to support COVID-19-impacted workers, the county and GESMN partnered to provide on-the-job skills-building in a project through the county’s budding Productive Properties Program. Construction students learned demolition, framing, insulating, trim work and more, while earning a training wage to rehab the home. Graduates received OSHA 10 safety certification and credits toward St. Paul College’s carpentry diploma program.
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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 Improve Group and Spire Credit Union.
CareerForce in Saint Paul has re-opened for walk-in services. All are welcome without an appointment during the following times:
- Monday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Tuesday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Thursday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Services include in-person career exploration, resume review and job search services as well as access to the self-service computer lab to search for jobs and apply for employment.
Can't get to CareerForce during these hours? CareerForce staff continue to see people by appointment for career exploration, resume review and job search services during the days and times listed on careerforcemn.com/saintpaul.
Congratulations to the 2022 Vern Vick Memorial Award recipients!
The award ceremony will take place at the June 2, 2022 WIB meeting.
Ramsey County has awarded ten organizations $1.6 million in state and federal funding for employment and career services for youth and young adults who experience systemic barriers to education and employment. These funds will be used to support young people with work readiness training, life skills, mentorship, occupational training, internships and more.
Thanks to the nearly 100 young people who engaged in surveys, focus group, and other engagement opportunities. The information and input provided by young people formed the basis of this project and influenced the County’s decisions about which organizations to provide funding to. Ramsey County is excited that the following organizations will be providing specialized services to connect opportunity youth with high-wage, high-demand career pathways.
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Sheri Riemers
Interim Executive Director, Ain Dah Yung Center
Where do you see the most opportunities for our young people?
Over the decades our people, young and old, continue to remain invisible within systems responsible for compounding the trauma felt by my people. There is a new commitment being felt and seen -- and that community organizations and those with lived experience are being invited to the conversation at Ramsey County. Being seen and heard is vital to the healing. Safe and stable housing and employment opportunities are key to breaking the cycle.
Workforce Solutions is a model example of taking forward steps and jumping in, meeting, and collaborating with youth serving organizations, asking what the issue are - what’s working, what’s, not, and what would it take to move the dial and truly meet our young people where they’re at and get our young people the services that work for them. Importantly, without being prescriptive. One that acknowledges the challenges and willing to rethink what success looks like -- and acknowledges timelines might look different for our youth depending on where their at with social impacts, chemical and mental health, justice system involvement, housing, and community connections. Ramsey County Workforce Solutions has done all this to listen, pull in the experts, lived experience on the ground and move to create opportunities. Understanding that this will look different. And looking at systems and policies, and how we move or potentially change policy to meet the challenges to inspire our young people -- and truly create REAL opportunity for these young people who would have otherwise gone unseen and unheard.
I’m excited about the futures of our young people -- and the hope of building a collaborative model that works with and for them to achieve safety, stability, wholeness, and self-sufficiency. Read more about Sheri here.
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Virtual Lunch and Learn - May 11, 12-12:45 p.m.
Are you hungry to connect? Join Ramsey County's One-Stop partners on Wednesday, May 11, from noon to 12:45 p.m. for a virtual Lunch and Learn event to get information about partner program services and build your referral network. This month's featured partners include:
- Presenter: CareerForce St. Paul, Workforce Solutions and Saint Paul Public Library - Career and Job Search Services in Ramsey County
- Presenter: Caleb Oberg, CEO of Oberg Roofing and Remodeling, Inc. - Training, Apprenticeship and Intern Programs
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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 Minnesota Construction Crew 9th Annual Construction Hiring Event - May 19
The MN Construction Crews 9th Annual Hiring Event is on Thursday, May 19 from 8-11am. This year, there are two options to participate - virtual and in-person. Details are below and in the attached flyer! Please share with your various networks!! Job seekers don’t have to be in the trades to attend. There are plenty of careers for field and office (i.e., accounting, HR, IT, safety, estimating, truck driving and of course numerous union construction trade careers).
VIRTUAL EVENT - Log in to https://metroregioninteractive. Attend anytime between noon on Wednesday, May 18 and 5:00pm on Thursday May 19
IN-PERSON EVENT - Thursday, May 19, 8:00 – 11:00am. North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters - 710 Olive St., St. Paul, MN 55130
Union Job & Resource Fair - May 19
When: Thursday, May 19, 2022, 3 - 6:30 p.m.
Where: Electrical Industry Building,1330 Conway St., Saint Paul 55106
- Discover your path to a union career!
- Earn while you learn and rise above minimum wage!
- Learn about the advantages of a union job! Information about record expungement and community
This event is intended to connect individuals in our community with potential employers and local resources to create pathways towards a union career. Additional details and the list of participating employers is available at eastsidefreedomlibrary.org, or contact the East Side Freedom Library at 651-207-4926.
The WIB is a proud co-host of this event.
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 Fair Opportunities: Connecting to Untapped Talent Event - May 20, 8:30-10 a.m.
Ramsey County and the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County are partnering on a series of events aimed at raising awareness among employers about the value of hiring individuals who have been involved with the criminal justice system. The first event, Fair Opportunities: Connecting to Untapped Talent, will feature round table discussions, resource sharing and more! Topics include incarceration numbers we can’t ignore, insurance myth-busting, work readiness support, and employer resources.
Visit the employer resource tables for additional information and resources from: Twin Cities R!se, Tech Dump, Ujamaa Place, MN Department of Corrections, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the Minnesota Recovery Connection and more.
The event will also feature an art exhibit from by Art from the Inside and a light breakfast.
Friday, May 20, 8:30-10am at St. Paul College, Room 1514/1518 - 235 Marshall Ave, Saint Paul 55102
For more details and to register, click here.
 Nonprofit Virtual Hiring Event Fair - May 25, 1-2 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to attend this free hiring event. It’s easy to join with a smart phone or computer. Each employer will talk about their company, job openings, and other important information. After the presentation, job seekers will be able to speak with someone from each employer to get their questions answered.
Register using this link.
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How Minnesota Employers Can Achieve a Competitive Edge: Ensure Racially Equitable and Inclusive Workplaces
By Andrea Ferstan, Vice President of Innovation, Policy, and Research, Center for Economic Inclusion
Across the nation, companies are struggling to find and retain the diverse talent, resulting in high turnover costs, lower productivity, and down revenues. Many of those same companies are realizing that the key to unlock and achieve year-over-year growth and a competitive edge is to ensure their workplace is racially equitable and inclusive.
Research has long pointed to the economic benefits of racially inclusive workplaces. In Minnesota, research by Fed Communities found that by closing the state’s racial gaps in employment, our GDP would have increased by $2.3 billion each year (2005 to 2019).
Over the next 20 years, the pipeline of talent will increasingly be Black and Brown. By 2044, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian people will represent the majority of the nation’s population, workforce, and consumers.
In Ramsey County, the workforce is comprised of 36% racially and ethnically diverse employees. Starting now, employers have a window of opportunity to examine and make the necessary improvements to their workplace cultures and recruitment, hiring, and retention practices and policies.
The most successful companies will be those who commit to identifying barriers, crafting data-informed solutions, and taking meaningful action to close racial employment gaps and build a workplace of equity, inclusion, and belonging.
The time to build that racially diverse and inclusive workplace of the future is now.
Read the full Promising Practices article here.
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