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 March 2025
Spring is a season of growth and new opportunities, and that energy is reflected in the many exciting workforce initiatives happening across Ramsey County. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on the construction industry—a vital sector driving economic growth and offering high-quality career pathways. From skilled trades to advanced green energy construction, this industry provides countless opportunities for workers to build stable, well-paying careers. We’re especially proud to celebrate Women in Construction Week, March 2-8, recognizing the growing role of women in shaping the future of the field and to host the second Green Ramsey Expo & Career Fair on March 19.
The Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County (WIB) is also excited about the expansion of CareerForce services, new summer internship opportunities for young people, and valuable tools to help employers build more inclusive and effective hiring practices. This newsletter also includes the first article in our Top Trends to Watch in 2025 series, exploring key workforce shifts shaping our region. This year-long article series will provide insights to help businesses, job seekers, and community leaders navigate a changing labor market.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership in building our workforce and creating new opportunities for all. I look forward to the work we’ll accomplish together in the months ahead.
Elisa Rasmussen, WIB Chair
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 CareerForce in Saint Paul is opening in a new downtown location on March 10. More exciting details about the new location will be coming soon!
For assistance until March 10, please call 651-539-4100 or email CareerForce.SaintPaul@state.mn.us.
Residents can also access in person services using these alternative methods
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Saint Paul – Downtown, 121 7th Place E, Suite 2500. (Career Services available: Mondays & Wednesdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.).
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Maplewood – Service Center, 2001 White Bear Avenue N, Suite 1034 (Career Services available: Tuesdays & Thursdays 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
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Roseville – Ramsey County Library, 2180 Hamline Avenue N. (Career Services available: Tuesdays & Thursdays 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
Visit the CareerForce in Saint Paul webpage for more information.
Ramsey County Workforce Solutions and Right Track are excited to announce internship experiences for suburban Ramsey County youth ages 14-21! Right Track is the city of Saint Paul’s youth employment and training program providing youth with meaningful paid internship experiences.
Right Track relies on businesses and organizations to host and support interns in the summer and beyond. If you are an organization in Saint Paul and suburban Ramsey County that would like to host an intern in summer 2025, please complete the pledge form to host an intern this summer. Applications are due Friday, March 14.
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Inclusive Employer Toolkit: Building a Hiring Process That Welcomes All
Workforce Solutions and the WIB are leading efforts to support employers to create a sense of welcoming for all employees within their organizations. One of these efforts is to provide an Inclusive Employer Toolkit. The toolkit aims to help employers provide a more welcoming environment for all by offering practices to build inclusion in the areas of employee recruitment, hiring, onboarding and retention.
The Hiring section of the toolkit focuses on building inclusive hiring processes that attract diverse talent and remove barriers to employment. It provides strategies on crafting inclusive job descriptions, expanding recruitment efforts to reach underrepresented communities, and implementing fair screening and interviewing practices. By adopting these approaches, employers can create an environment that welcome candidates from all backgrounds, ensuring equal opportunities for everyone to contribute and thrive in the workplace.
View the toolkit.
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It's time to light up the new year with some fresh energy. Let's take an up-close look at Electric Power Generation in the Twin Cities Metro Area. According to the Census Bureau's North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), Electric Power Generation comprises establishments primarily engaged in - you guessed it - operating electric power generation facilities. These facilities, and subsequent in-depth NAICS industries, can be broken down by various forms of energy: hydroelectric, fossil fuels, nuclear, solar electric, wind electric, geothermal, biomass, and other electric power generation. Whether by sunlight, the wind, the burning of natural gas or oil, or the splitting of the atom, electric power generation has one major goal: producing electric energy and providing electricity to homes and businesses.
In the Twin Cities Metro Area, there were 40 Electric Power Generation establishments supplying just over 1,200 covered jobs in 2023. Total payroll for this industry equaled $146.4 million in 2023, with the average annual wage equal to $120,328. This average wage was considerably higher than the average annual wage for the total of all industries, which was $78,312.
Continue reading the article by Tim O'Neill, DEED Regional Analyst.
 Build Your Own Future 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.
Learn more about Build Your Own Future.
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is launching a new round of the Dual Training Grant and Legal Cannabis Dual Training Grant. Grant writing workshops are scheduled to help prepare employers and organizations of employers to apply for the Dual Training Grant. Workshop registration information is below.
Dual Training Grant recipients can use the funds to help cover costs related to instruction toward attaining an industry-recognized degree, certificate or credential for their employees through a dual-training program.
Learn more about this grant opportunity.
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It has been just over a month since I joined Ramsey County as the Workforce Solutions Director and Executive Director of the Workforce Innovation Board, and I have been met with an outpouring of warm welcomes and well wishes from staff, partners, employers, program participants, and board members. I cannot thank you enough for welcoming me into this new role with open arms.
The warmth that I have felt in my short time is what I have coined as the “special sauce” of workforce, being surrounded by people who are driven by passion, dedication, and innovation not only makes people feel welcomed but is what makes us feel that sense of belonging in the workplace. It has been abundantly apparent to me in my short time that the Workforce Innovation Board truly embodies the “belief that everyone who wants to work deserves the dignity of having career choices”. This belief shines through staff and through the many programs and services that we provide to residents of Ramsey County. My hope is not only to continue to ensure that everyone has choices on their career pathway but that their voices are heard and that we are truly listening to the needs of job seekers, employers, and partners.
As a former recipient of county services turned social worker and workforce leader, I will ensure that our collective mission to build partnerships, identify emerging workforce needs, and maintain economic health in our county remain at the forefront. I am also committed to ensuring Ramsey County is a leader in our region's workforce ecosystem, while also caring deeply for each individual on their education and career pathway.
Learn more about Catrice.
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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 Maplewood 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
Thursdays, 3–5 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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 Fair Chance Workforce
March 5, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
More than 100,000 Minnesotans are currently under some form of community supervision, and approximately 1,000 individuals are expected to return to their communities from prison this year. At the same time, employers in Minnesota are facing increasing challenges in meeting the workforce demands of the future. This creates a complex dynamic for employers, as a growing number of job seekers with criminal records are actively looking for employment opportunities across the state.
Join DEED's Workforce Strategy Consultants to learn about legal compliance and minimizing risks of those with a criminal background, successful hiring strategies and the rewards of hiring fair chance workers. Presenters incude:
- Alex Merritt - Vice President Program Operations, Twin Cities Rise!
- Jeremiah Carter – Director of Reentry Services, DEED
- Rachael Okerlund - Employer Engagement Specialist, DEED
- Nolan Thomas – Employer Engagement Specialist, DEED
- JoAnn Brown – Corrections Program Director, Minnesota Department of Corrections
- Jennifer Gast – Job Developer, Reentry Services, Minnesota Department of Corrections
- Whitney Harvey - Senior Director of Workforce Diversity and Inclusion, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Register today.
 Green Ramsey Expo & Career Fair
March 19,10 a.m.-1 p.m.
West Minnehaha Recreation Center, 685 W Minnehaha Ave, Saint Paul
Come meet organizations with missions that include recycling, creating green space, environmental clean-up and more! Learn about and apply for green collar careers in emerging industries, as well as conventional businesses and trades that have shifted to more sustainable practices.
Green resources and activities happening in the community will be highlighted as well. If you are interested in a green career or learning more about environmental activities in the county, this event is for you.
Employers and resource providers include:
- Bay West
- City of Saint Paul Parks and Rec, Regional Water Services and Human Resources
- Metropolitan Council
- Metropolitan Mosquito Control District
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) and Management and Budget (MMB)
- Ramsey County Parks and Recreation and Human Resources
- Ramsey Washington Recycling & Energy Center
- Tree Trust
- Walters Recycling & Refuse
- Center for Energy and Environment
- Energy Smart and Waste Wise with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
- Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest
- Goodwill Easter Seals of MN
- Metro Clean Energy Resource Team (Metro CERT)
- M State Energy Careers Academy
- Ramsey County Climate & Health Team
- Ramsey County Recycling Ambassadors
- Saint Paul Port Authority and MinnPace
- And more!
Learn more.
Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund Information Session
March 19, 2-3 p.m. via Teams
The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) creates a central fund where small to mid-sized Minnesota employers can request reimbursement for expenses related to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees with disabilities. The ERAF's purpose is to encourage employment of people with disabilities by reducing any perceived or real financial barriers.
Join DEED for an informative and engaging session that will cover:
- The benefits of workplace inclusivity for your business.
- How ERAF simplifies providing accommodations and supports your bottom line.
- Real-world examples of accommodations that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction.
Learn how this innovative program can position your business as a leader in inclusivity while meeting your workforce needs. Don't miss this chance to gain actionable insights and make your workplace more accessible.
Register for the Event
Level Up
April 24, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
YMCA - St. Paul Eastside, 875 Arcade Street
Are you hiring entry-level employees or offering low-cost/no-cost training opportunities? Join us at our Level-Up job and resource fair, designed to connect 18-24-year-olds with career and training opportunities that set them up for success!
Community based organizations who can support this population are encourage to table at this event as well at no charge.
By registering for a table, you'll have the chance to:
- Meet motivated graduating seniors and young adults actively seeking entry-level positions.
- Showcase your training programs and resources to help participants gain valuable skills.
- Build relationships with local talent and make a lasting impact in your community.
- Fill immediate hiring needs and introduce young adults to the possibilities within your organization.
Thank you for offering your services to support these job seekers!
Learn more and register.
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Despite increased connectivity and the rise of online education and remote work, geography continues to play a pivotal role in accessing opportunities. As Ramsey County Workforce Solutions strives to strengthen the community, assessing changes in demographics, migration and commuting behaviors is essential for personalizing workforce development and achieving the best results for employers and individual workers.
To start the conversation, Workforce Solutions hosted a webinar exploring five top workforce trends in Ramsey County on February 19 featuring Erin Olson, Senior Director of Strategic Research at RealTime Talent. The in-depth report offers local employers, policymakers, and community leaders insights on the geography of remote work, automation in the workplace, the transformative role of AI and automation locally, and how these trends vary across Ramsey County. Each trend speaks to these questions:
- Who does the work?
- Where people work.
- How the work gets done.
Throughout 2025, we will highlight different workplace trends and showcase how communities and organizations across Ramsey County are changing and adapting.
Continue to the full article.
As Ramsey County’s workforce evolves, understanding key trends is crucial for fostering a thriving and resilient economy. Throughout 2025, these articles will explore the critical workforce trends shaping our communities. These trends were presented by Erin Olson, Senior Director of Strategic Research at RealTime Talent at the Top Trends to Watch in 2025 in Ramsey County’s Workforce Landscape webinar in February.
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