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 January 2024
On behalf of the Workforce Innovation Board (WIB) of Ramsey County, I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year!
The WIB is jumping into 2024 full speed ahead! This month's newsletter is packed with information on several exciting events and initiatives, including the Inclusive Hiring Connections Summit on January 24, how to apply for the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort and the opportunity to host a Right Track intern this summer. Check out the details on these and several other opportunities below.
The start of a new year is also a great time to look ahead to new opportunities for partnership. I am grateful for the chance to work alongside so many fabulous partners. It is your commitment to the economic health of our residents and businesses that makes Ramsey County such a great place to live, work and do business. I look forward to our continued work together and hope to see you at an event this month!
- Elisa Rasmussen, WIB Chair
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 The WIB is proud to sponsor the third Inclusive Workplaces Cohort. This is an opportunity for Ramsey County businesses to participate in an Executive Leadership Cohort learning experience. This initiative, in alignment with Ramsey County’s Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan, will support employers in becoming more inclusive workplaces to ensure the diversity of our community is being amplified as a tool for economic growth. Through the program, Ramsey County businesses will have the opportunity to participate in a peer learning community while advancing equity and inclusion in their organizations. There is no cost to participating businesses.
Join us for a virtual information session on Wednesday, January 10, 11 a.m. - noon, to learn more about the cohort.
Visit the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort webpage for additional details about the information session, the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort program and for the application to participate.
Applications are due on Wednesday, January 31!
Do you know an individual who has contributed exceptionally to the support and empowerment of Ramsey County’s youth and young adults through personal, academic or career development? Nominate them for the 2024 Youth Workforce Champions Award! Nominations are being accepted through Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
The Youth Workforce Champions Award is given each year to highlight two members of the Youth Works! community. The Legacy award will be given to an individual whose impact and leadership in the field of youth and young adult workforce development has been well-established. The Rising Star award will be given to an individual whose journey along the same path has just begun
For more information and to submit a nomination.
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Over the past several years, Ramsey County and the city of Saint Paul have deepened their partnership and are thrilled to announce even deeper collaboration between Youth Works! and the city’s Right Track program this year.
In 2024, the county will leverage the Right Track program to serve suburban Ramsey County young people with county funding. In addition, the county will be leveraging its resources and partnership to expand employer sites for Right Track both in the city and throughout the county.
Employers interested in learning more about opportunities to host Right Track interns this summer can visit the Right Track website.
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Inclusive Employer Toolkit offers free resources to employers
Workforce Solutions and the WIB are leading efforts to support employers to address discrimination and unconscious bias within their organizations. One of these efforts is to provide an Inclusive Employer Toolkit. The toolkit aims to help employers provide a more welcoming and inclusive workplace for all by offering practices to build diversity, equity, and inclusion in the areas of employee recruitment, hiring, onboarding and retention.
The Inclusive Employer Toolkit is now available online and can also be downloaded.
View the toolkit.
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Visit Ramsey County's Workforce Training Dashboard to learn more about how the county is connecting residents to the training programs needed to get people started or advancing in a career.
Providers of free or low cost workforce training programs can submit their program information for inclusion on the training dashboard through an easy to use self-submission form. The training dashboard includes nearly 100 training programs in and near Ramsey County across a wide range of in-demand industry sectors.
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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.
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Aalayha Traub
VDC Manager at Knutson Construction
Aalayha was recently appointed to the WIB by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners. She is the VDC Manager at Knutson Construction and has been a member of the WIB's Equity Committee since 2022.
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Donna Rapacz
Director of Business Operations at Merrick, Inc.
Donna was recently appointed to the WIB by the city of Saint Paul. She is the Director of Business Operations at Merrick, Inc. and is deeply committed to connecting individuals with disabilities to opportunities for housing and economic stability.
Welcome Aalayha and Donna!
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Top trends to watch in Ramsey County’s workforce landscape
Jan. 17, noon-1 p.m.
Recent years have brought seismic shifts in the world of work, driven forward by ongoing economic uncertainties, dramatic talent shortages, workforce misalignments, and rapidly evolving technology. These dynamics make forecasting future labor market needs and supply uniquely challenging. But despite the turbulence, several pivotal shifts have begun to materialize, illuminating the path ahead in inclusive workplaces, skills-based hiring, and the digital workplace.
Join us for a virtual presentation by RealTime Talent’s Senior Director of Strategic Research, Erin Olson, about the top ten workforce trends to watch in Ramsey County in 2024 and beyond.
To register.
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 Inclusive Hiring Connections Summit
Jan. 24, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Metro Square: 121 7th Place E, Saint Paul
This event aims to help businesses learn about, connect to and access workforce tools and resources.
Find new talent pipelines and discover tools for implementing innovative and effective hiring practices to increase diversity and inclusiveness in your organization. Choose from a variety of breakout sessions, led by workforce experts, on topics such as skills-based hiring, youth internships, accommodating employees with disabilities and more. You can also visit tables at the Training Resources Fair to connect with community training programs that develop skilled workers for multiple industries.
Come network with fellow hiring professionals, learn from experts, and get inspired by artists from Art from the Inside and learn about hiring justice-impacted individuals.
Complimentary lunch and parking voucher are included. This event is free and open to local businesses seeking solutions for meeting workforce needs.
To register.
Successful Employer Training
Every third Friday, 11 a.m.-noon
Ramsey County is partnering with World Youth Connect, a local youth-led organization, to help bridge generational and cultural gaps between Ramsey County employers and the region’s young workforce. As Minnesota’s most diverse county, Ramsey County is excited to support employers to be more inclusive youth and young adult friendly workplaces. This opportunity is complimentary for any Ramey County employer.
The Successful Employer Training (S.E.T.) is an opportunity for both new and existing youth supervisors and employers to learn essential youth and young adult onboarding, retention, and communication skills and strategies to ensure a positive work environment for all. Ensure your supervisors are well-prepared to adapt and succeed alongside the next generation of workers!
To register.
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Employer of the Day
Tuesdays, 3–5 p.m., at the Roseville Library
Looking for a new job? Every Tuesday, employers will visit the Ramsey County Library in Roseville to talk about job opportunities in their organization. Bring your resumé and your best first impression to get hired.
Featured employers:
If your business is interested in being an Employer of the Day, please contact employerservices@ramseycounty.us.
Trainer of the Day
Tuesdays, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., at the Roseville Library
Meet community based, no-cost skill training programs that are recruiting participants for upcoming classes. Participating in a community based training program is a way to build an up- to-date skill set. When training is complete, get introduced to employers looking for certified trainees and start a new and rewarding career. Courses range from Automotive to IT to Healthcare and much more. See list of possible training courses here.
Featured trainers:
All are welcome.
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 Congratulations to all the organizations that participated in the second Inclusive Workplaces Cohort. Cohort members were invited to a celebration lunch on December 7 and received certificates of recognition from the WIB acknowledging their strong commitment to advancing equity and inclusion within their organizations. Pictured below with WIB Executive Director Ling Becker, Cohort Liaison Mary Russell, Cohort Facilitator Kira Holtzon (Center for Economic Inclusion), WIB Chair Elisa Rasmussen, and Ramsey County Commissioner Rena Moran are representatives from the following participating organizations:
- Association of Minnesota Counties
- Concordia University, St. Paul.
- Designs for Learning, Inc.
- Hamernick's.
- Innovize.
- LS Black Constructors.
- Metropolitan Council Community Development Division.
- SRF Consulting Group.
- Star House.
- Ain Dah Yung Center (not present).
- Nexus Kindred Family Healing (not present)
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