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March 2023
Greeting partners!
Spring is just around the corner. Before we know it, trees will be budding, flowers will be blooming and construction projects will kick into high gear.
In this month's newsletter, we focus on the construction industry, highlighting the people, stories, events and programs that keep our community building strong. March 5-11 is also Women in Construction Week. To honor and celebrate the contributions of women in the construction industry, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners presented a proclamation this morning. Thank you to WIB Members Hyon Kim, Yolanda McIntosh and Ramona Wilson for accepting the proclamation on behalf of the growing number of women who are finding successful career opportunities in construction. A photo from the proclamation ceremony is below.
The WIB is also excited to be launching the second Inclusive Workplaces Cohort and accepting nominations for the Vern Vick Memorial Award. This newsletter is packed with great information. On behalf of the WIB, I invite you to read and thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.
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The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) also known as the bipartisan infrastructure law, will invest $1.2 trillion to rebuild crumbling roads, bridges, airports and public transportation systems; support advanced energy technologies and clean water infrastructure; close the digital divide; and modernize the electric grid, among other improvements. In addition, these investments will create and sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs and incentivize cities and states to adopt policies to ensure that they deliver quality jobs for local residents from all walks of life and provide good value for the public’s investment. Overall, the IIJA offers state and local leaders a high level of discretion on whether and how they incorporate workforce development activities into infrastructure investments. The IIJA offers expansive flexibility to hire, train and retain workers in executing infrastructure projects, and there is no single program that explicitly focuses on workforce development.
Over the upcoming weeks and months, the WIB’s Construction and Green Jobs Committee will continue to learn and talk to stakeholders regarding IIJA and have localized conversations as to how to leverage equitable workforce development strategies to support Ramsey County residents wherever possible.
Learn more about IIJA.
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Associated General Contractors of Minnesota (AGCMN) and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Council initiated the AGCMN DEI Awards as a way of recognizing and acknowledging best practices/models in the construction industry.
The DEI Awards program was initiated by Yolanda McIntosh, AGCMN's Director of DEI and a member of the WIB. The awards publicly recognized companies that have intentionally committed to accountability and increased efforts to “lift the ink off the page” by demonstrating a commitment to DEI in the areas of workforce and DEI small business contracting.
Karin McCabe of McGough Construction was the recipient of the 2022 DEI Allyship Award for outstanding support to the community. Karin was a member of the WIB and the WIB's Equity Committee until her retirement in December 2022.
Congratulations to Knutson Construction for receiving the 2022 DEI Impact Champion award. Ramona Wilson, Diversity & Inclusion Director at Knutson, is a member of the WIB!
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Do you know an individual or group who has contributed exceptionally to the support and empowerment of Ramsey County’s youth and young adults through personal, academic or career development?
The 2023 Vern Vick Memorial Award nominations are open through Thursday, March 9 at 4:30 p.m. This award honors the memory of Vern Vick by recognizing individuals in Ramsey County who work with and improve the lives of young people in our community.
The award ceremony will take place during the WIB meeting on Thursday, June 1.
Visit the county's website to learn more about the award and to submit a nomination.
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The second Inclusive Workplaces Cohort launched in February with support from Ramsey County and the WIB. This initiative is supporting 11 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 will participate in a year-long peer learning cohort, led by the Center for Economic Inclusion, 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. Participating organizations will be featured on social media and in the WIB newsletter each month. This month, we are spotlighting Designs for Learning.
The Building Your Own Future site provides construction related employment and training information to job seekers, workforce professionals and construction employers in the metro area. The resources found there assist the construction industry by increasing the diversity of the workforce through its community, business and government networks.
Visit the Building Your Own Future site.
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Julie Thiel
Vice President of Human Resources, WSB Engineering
WIB Member since 2020
What are some of the challenges of attracting more people to construction jobs in Ramsey County?
As a company and an industry, we want our workforce to better reflect the diverse communities where we live and work. There are barriers that women and people of color face when exploring a career in civil engineering. To break down some of these barriers, we’ve created a training program called Opportunity+.
Opportunity+ is a pathway program that provides a strong foundation for people to move into a variety of careers in the engineering and construction space. Opportunity+ began in 2019. It was an idea that our CEO felt passionately about pursuing because of the lack of diversity in our industry and a shortage of skilled workers. The program encourages women and people of color to apply but is open to anyone who is interested in learning new skills. We’ve been expanding our recruiting base over the years to include veterans and people who hold degrees from other countries who haven’t been able to find the right opportunity. Upon completion of the program, participants have access to well-paying, family supporting, entry level jobs either at WSB or through our hiring partner network.
I appreciate that Ramsey County is offering the Driver’s License Academy to eligible workers. The majority of civil engineering technician roles require a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. I am proud to be a member of the Ramsey Workforce Development Board and contribute my time toward innovative solutions that break down barriers to employment.
Read more about Julie and WSB.
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Women In Construction Week
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Lunch & Learn, March 8, noon-12:45 p.m.
Are you hungry to connect? Join Ramsey County's One-Stop partners on Wednesday, August 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. This month's featured partners include:
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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Saint Paul Water Utility Hiring Open House, March 8, 3-5 p.m.
Job seekers are invited to an in person hiring open house to learn about Saint Paul Regional Water Services' Utility Trainee program. Attendees will receive support in applying for the position, if interested.
The open house will be held in the lobby. All job seekers who attend will receive a $25 gift card from Ramsey County.
Learn more about this training program.
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Trade Up Training Day, March 11 & 25, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Trade Up is a new project for any Ramsey County resident 18 and older. Land a union job setting up some of Minnesota’s largest events! Join us for a training day featuring on-the-spot hiring, FREE tools, a voucher for work boots, free lunch, a gift card for completing the training and more!
No registration required! Attendees are asked to bring their hiring documents and a schedule of their availability.
Check out the Trade Up webpage to learn more.
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 Future of the Construction Workforce event, Thursday, March 23, 8:30-10 a.m.
Get ready for the future workforce designed by and for construction. Expand The Toolbox is hosting a conversation for construction contractors to amplify best practices for hiring BIPOC and/or women in the construction industry. Join us for a candid conversation with local mid-sized construction companies of 20-150 employees about how they're building an inclusive and productive workforce.
- Thursday, March 23 - 8:30-10 a.m. (doors open at 8 a.m.)
- McGough Service Center - 1826 1/2 Buerkle Road, White Bear Lake (park in front of the building)
The discussion will include how to:
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Attract our future workforce.
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Retain and promote talent through inclusive workplaces.
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Build a workforce that reflects the communities we work in.
To learn more and register.
CERT Connect Open House, April 5, 8-10 a.m.
Small businesses are invited to the Shoreview Community Center on April 5 for an opportunity to have deliberate, worthwhile conversations with Ramsey County staff who are directly involved in construction projects.
Small businesses who are CERT Certified, have the potential of being certified, and/or have other certifications related to small business with other government entities are encouraged to attend.
The Ramsey County departments that will be present are:
- Public Works
- Central Fleet
- Productive Properties
- Parks & Rec
- Property Management
- Economic Development
- Finance/Procurement
For more information and to register.
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 Workforce Recruitment Resources Fair, Thursday, April 13, 8-10 a.m.
Interested in connecting to a diverse and emerging workforce? Want to build deeper, intentional and sustaining partnerships with local community based organizations?
Join us at the Roseville Skating Center, 2661 Civic Center Dr., for a Workforce Recruitment Resources Fair, sponsored by Ramsey County Workforce Solutions and the city of Roseville. This event is NOT a job fair--rather, we're inviting employers throughout Ramsey County to stop by and meet the many community-based organizations that have training programs supporting a variety of industries and occupations. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the many organizations in Ramsey County and how they are helping job seekers with the skills they need to enter into new career pathways.
All businesses located in Ramsey County are welcome to attend this free event. Your human resources and employee recruitment professionals will learn about local programs training workers in the areas of health care, hospitality, manufacturing, general business and administration, finance, social services, transportation, construction and more. Drop in anytime between 8 and 10 a.m.
Learn more about this event.
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Breaking barriers to fair opportunities for job seekers and employers
Employers throughout the country struggle to find the workers they need. In Ramsey County, one group of individuals may be able to help alleviate the shortage - those who have been previously involved in the criminal justice system.
“Justice-impacted individuals” are persons who have or are in the process of leaving the criminal justice system. Despite a strong interest in getting into productive employment, these individuals have historically faced many barriers to returning to the workforce. Perhaps the most critical factor in assisting them in successfully stepping out of the criminal justice system is procuring a job that puts them on a path to self-sustainability. Ramsey County Workforce Solutions is partnering with numerous area organizations to help alleviate those barriers that can stand in the way of individuals while also assisting employers in meeting their needs.
Continue to the full article.
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