Workforce Innovation Board Newsletter - June

Ramsey County, Minnesota sent this bulletin at 06/06/2023 11:15 AM CDT

June 2023

Greeting partners!

This month marks the kick-off of a three month, statewide campaign aimed to connect people with employment opportunities in home-, community- and facility- based care. The Follow Your Heart to a Caring Career, campaign focuses on entry level positions with a potential for career growth.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has developed several resource for employers including occupational information handouts that can be customized and downloaded and are available in multiple languages, such as Dari, Pashto, Somali, Vietnamese and more. There is also a webpage with resource and events for job seekers including information about free training opportunities.

The Workforce Innovation Board (WIB) of Ramsey County is founded on the belief that everyone who wants to work deserves the dignity of having meaningful career choices. I am grateful for the strong workforce ecosystem in Ramsey County and for the partnerships that move us closer to making the WIB's belief a reality for all.

Congratulations to the 2023 Vern Vick Award Winner, Dr. Tolulope Monisola Ola

On June 1, the WIB recognized the recipient of the 2023 Vern Vick Memorial Award, Dr. Ola Tolulope Monisola, for her exceptional contributions to the support and empowerment of Ramsey County’s youth, particularly those facing challenges related to the multiple pandemics of our time (i.e., mental unwellness, violence, racism, poverty, and COVID-19), through personal and career development.

“The WIB is so grateful for the tremendous and impactful work of Dr. Ola”, says Ling Becker, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions director. “Her work to support and connect young people to both employment and other resources demonstrates her deep commitment to improving the lives of Ramsey County young people".

Pictured (l to r): Chad Kulas, Commissioner Rena Moran, Paul Nikstad, Dr. Ola, Ling Becker and Elisa Rasmussen.

Inclusive Workplaces Cohort Spotlight

This year, 12 businesses in Ramsey County are participating in the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort, a 9-month peer learning program to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in their organizations. One of the participating organizations will be spotlighted each month on social media and in the WIB newsletter. This month's featured organization is SRF Consulting Group.

The WIB is excited to announce that Lauren Hunter has been appointed to serve on the board. Lauren is the Associate Director of External DEI Partnerships at UnitedHealth Group (UHG). As a leader on the Global DEI team at UHG, Lauren leads the DEI partnership strategy for the company. This includes fostering strategic DEI relationships, both internal and external, and leveraging these partnerships to convert diverse candidates to new UHG employees.

Prior to joining UHG, Lauren served as Director of Diversity Recruitment and Retention at the Minnesota Department of Human Services from 2015-2022. At DHS, Lauren led a comprehensive diversity recruitment and retention strategy that focused on embedding diversity, equity and inclusion.

An Indiana native, Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Indiana University-Bloomington and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University, specializing in Human Resources Management. Lauren is an active community leader and was selected as a 2020 Honoree by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal for Women in Business.

Members of the WIB are key decision makers within their organizations and experts in the workforce arena appointed by either the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners or the City of Saint Paul Mayor. Learn more about WIB membership or contact Becky Milbrandt with questions about the application process and eligibility requirements.

Cleantech Pathways event
June 8
10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

The WIB is a proud sponsor of a Cleantech Pathways event with Grid Catalyst, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, Fresh Energy, Ramsey County, Saint Paul College and others on June 8. It will be an exciting event for students and community members interested in green jobs. There will be a short program, featuring Taj Ahmad Eldridge, who will share his experience with Jobs for the Future and investing in energy and climate entrepreneurs. He will be joined by other local leaders, including Ling Becker, to share more about opportunities for students and those interested in career pathways focused on a more sustainable future. This includes working on electric vehicles and charging, solar and wind installation, building energy efficiency and electrification, construction, utility operations, geothermal, and more.

Join us at this free event. Enjoy lunch, engage in table discussions and learn from industry employers about what it’s like to work for their companies.

Saint Paul College
235 Marshall Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55102

Learn more and register for the event.

Seventh Annual Union Job and Resource Fair
June 8
11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Join us for an event intended to connect individuals in our community with potential employers and local resources to create pathways towards a union career. Job seekers will also:

Discover your path to a union career!
Earn while you learn and rise above minimum wage!
Learn about the advantages of a union job!

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local110 Hall
1330 Conway St
Saint Paul, MN 55106

Learn more about this event.

Lunch & Learn
June 14
Noon–12:45 p.m.

Are you hungry to connect? Join Ramsey County's One-Stop partners on Wednesday, June 14 for a virtual Lunch & Learn event to get information about partner program services and build your referral network.

The next Lunch and Learn features the following workforce partners:

HIRED – Career Pathway Training Program - Andrea Peterson, Program Manager
Saint Paul College – Workforce Training and Continuing Education - Brady Malecha, Program Manager

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.

This dynamic workshop brings together employers and community partners to tackle the challenges and opportunities of re-entering the community and the world of work after serving time in the criminal legal system.

Gain insights into the legal, social, and economic considerations surrounding second and fair chance hiring as a means to address local worker shortages. Explore proven resources, best practices, and solutions that support successful workforce reintegration.

Network with like-minded leaders, exchanging ideas and building valuable connections. Let's come together to create an inclusive and vibrant workforce, revitalizing lives and strengthening communities. Interested participants will have the opportunity to participate in an ongoing cohort to implement principles in their business.

Saint Paul College
235 Marshall Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55102

Learn more about this event and register.

June 22
7 a.m.–6 p.m.

The Center for Economic Inclusion is hosting its Annual Powering Inclusion Summit on June 22 at the Hilton Minneapolis. Participants at this one day, in-person summit will enjoy keynote speaker Dr. Pamela Jolly, author of The Narrow Road, a path for legacy wealth building. Ling is speaking during the morning breakout session from 9:45-10:45am on Measuring What Works: Talent Pipelines, Management, and Culture Brokers for Racial Equity. The Center will also release the results of the Second Annual Racial Equity Dividends Index and announce the winners of the second round of Vanguard Accelerator winners. The conference includes 12 break-out workshop options.

Learn more and register.

June 29
10 a.m.–2 p.m.

All are welcome to attend the third annual Midway Area Job Fair. Forty local companies that are ready to hire will be on-site at this outdoor event!

Featured employers include:

ACR Homes.
Allina Health.
American Security & Investigations.
Bay West.
Blue Plate Restaurant Company.
City of Saint Paul.
Delaware North.
Episcopal Homes.
Fairview Health Services.
Laborer's Training Center of MN & ND.
Marsden Building Maintenance.
Medica.
Metro Transit.
Metropolitan Airports Commission.
Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op.
Ramsey County.
Regions Hospital.
Saint Paul Public Schools.
Securian Financial, Sevita/REM Minnesota.
State of Minnesota.
Strive Staffing.
United States Postal Service (USPS).
UPS.

Visit ramseycounty.us/jobfair for additional details and a complete list of the employers and workforce resources that will be at the event. Please share the link with job seekers in your networks who are looking for employment opportunities!

Allianz Field - Lot B
400 Snelling Ave N
Saint Paul, MN 55104

Hosted by the WIB, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions, CareerForce and the City of Saint Paul.

In Ramsey County, 'Ujamaa' means collaboration and transformation

Regardless of a person’s cultural background or race, they often associate the term ‘community’ with strong relationships with others where they live and work, coming together to help each other make their goals and the lives they seek more attainable.

For justice-impacted individuals, a positive community environment is vitally important yet challenging to obtain. A recent Ramsey County Community Corrections survey indicated the most common need of adults on probation is a better connection with resources in the community.

The Saint Paul-based organization, Ujamaa Place, tackles the collaborative effect community can have on reducing crime, homelessness and other barriers facing men today. It takes its name from one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, “ujamaa,” meaning “cooperative economics” and “familyhood.” Ujamaa Place is a brotherhood of men.

“We take to heart that we are an “extended family,” said Ujamaa Place Housing Coach CJ Jessup. “Our goal is to stabilize the lives of men by enrollment into the Theory of Transformation™, a culturally designed framework of holistic programming that serves to help enrolled participants secure and maintain stable housing, increase educational attainment, secure / retain employment, connect with family/children and eliminate contact with the criminal justice system.

Continue to the full article.

This feature is part of a series of Fair Opportunities articles meant to raise awareness of the employment needs of justice-impacted individuals and the benefits to employers willing to give these returning citizens a chance at meaningful employment. Please visit the Fair Opportunities Hiring page on the Ramsey County Means Business website to find more resources and events being supported by the WIB.