September marks Workforce Development Month, a time to recognize the dedication and creativity of the people and partners who make Ramsey County’s workforce system thrive. This year’s theme - Connect. Advance. Innovate - reflects the work we are doing together to open doors, expand opportunities and create new pathways for success. Whether it’s connecting youth with meaningful career experiences, advancing inclusive practices that strengthen our workplaces, or innovating through training and employer partnerships, the impact is clear: our collective efforts are building a stronger, more resilient community.

As your new Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County (WIB) Chair, I am honored to help carry this work forward alongside such a committed network of leaders, employers and community partners. Thank you for the vital role you play in ensuring every resident has the opportunity to grow and thrive.

- Yolanda Y. McIntosh, WIB Chair

This summer, Ramsey County’s Minnesota Youth Program partnered with Center for Broadcast Journalism to offer a powerful opportunity to 10 young residents, ages 16–24. Each participant who faces barriers to employment, began with three weeks of hands-on media training in script writing, interviewing, storytelling and audio/video production, guided leaders in local journalism. 

Participants are now running a live radio show on Power 104.7, Georgia Fort's independent station. Throughout the five-week work experience, they rotate roles on-air and behind the scenes, building confidence and creativity. From self-love and social justice to music and trending topics, the youth are producing content that reflects their voices and visions. 

One youth is determined to launch a podcast on healthcare reform by 2030; another plans to become a self-love influencer. Many will apply their new skills to college radio or future media careers. With leadership coaching from Octavia Treadway of Something Great, each young person has grown not only in technical skill, but in self-awareness and confidence, proving the power of believing in young talent. 

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 Systems of Support section of the toolkit highlights the importance of building internal structures that promote inclusion and ensure all employees have the resources they need to succeed. This includes practices such as creating employee resource groups, offering mental health and wellness support, and establishing clear channels for feedback and accountability. By embedding support systems into the workplace culture, employers can foster a more inclusive, responsive, and resilient organization where every employee feels seen, heard, and supported.

View the toolkit.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) workforce training grants can help eligible businesses pay for workforce training. DEED provides training grant funding through the State of Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) program, which has helped Minnesota businesses train thousands of workers in communities across the state.

Your business may qualify for one of these training grant programs to help offset training-related expenses. Grant programs DEED is highlighting right now include MJSP Partnership Grant, Automation Training Incentive Program (ATIP) Grant, and Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) Grant.

Find out more and apply for funding here.  

The Ramsey County Workforce Partner Directory is an online tool that highlights the wide range of organizations working together to support Ramsey County’s workforce. The directory makes it easy to find partners by service area, program type, or population served, helping residents, employers, and community organizations quickly connect to the right resources. Whether you are looking for training providers, employment services, or community-based support, the directory is a one-stop resource to navigate Ramsey County’s workforce network.

Thank you to all of our partners for the critical role you play in building opportunity and supporting our community.

Visit the Workforce Partner Directory webpage to learn more!

The 33 members of the WIB are key decision-makers and workforce experts representing business, organized labor, community-based organizations, education, economic development, and the public sector.

The board prioritizes diverse representation across its membership, reflecting a balance of races and ethnicities, genders, industry sectors, organization sizes, and locations in both urban and suburban areas. To stay accountable to this goal, demographic data is tracked and shared publicly through Ramsey County’s Open Data Portal.

Learn more about the makeup of the WIB.

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:  

• Fairview Health Services - Sept. 9
• Metropolitan Council - Metro Transit - Sept. 16 
• Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs - Sept. 23
• Teachers on Call - Sept. 30

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:

• Hmong American Partnership - Sept. 4
• MNDOT-DEED Highway Heavy Construction Training & Job Placement- Sept. 18
• Merrick Community Services- Sept. 25

Employer of the Day
Tuesdays, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., at the CareerForce location in Saint Paul

• Children's Minnesota - Sept. 9. Register here.
• City of Saint Paul - Sept. 23. Register here.

All are welcome!

Selby Avenue Jazz Fest
Sept. 10, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. along Selby Ave between 

Ramsey County and its community partners will be at the Selby Jazz Fest to share resources and promote fair opportunities hiring for individuals and families impacted by the justice system. Representatives from several Ramsey County departments as well as We Resolve, Repowered, Roots Wellness Center and other community organizations will be on hand to share resources with job seekers and the community.

Learn more.

MN Skills-Based Hiring Accelerator Workshops
Sept. 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at CareerForce in Chaska

The Twin Cities Metro Workforce Development Boards are establishing a new partnership with Goodwill Easter-Seals, the Saint Paul Area Chamber, the Minneapolis Regional Chamber and Twin Cities SHRM for the MN Skills-Based Hiring Accelerator program. Employers can participate in a half-day in-person workshop to receive in-depth learning on:

• Rebuilding an employer's hiring process with a skills and competency-based approach by focusing on candidates’ capabilities rather than credentials.
• Improving retention by rebuilding job descriptions, interview processes, onboarding and more​​​​​​​.
• Increasing diversity among your workforce using data-driven tools that lead to more equitable hiring processes.
• Providing networking with talent-sourcing organizations.

Following participation in a workshop, employers have access to monthly Community of Practice calls where they can dive into questions about the skills-based hiring process and receive optional one-on-one coaching from facilitators.

Visit mnskillsbased to register and learn more.

Serving Justice-Involved Job Seekers Webinar
Sept. 25, 1-2:30 p.m.

Workforce development professionals are invited to join a webinar about resources to help justice-involved job seekers in their search for employment. During this webinar, you will learn how to use the CareerOneStop website and its portal for justice-involved job seekers. 

CareerOneStop is a comprehensive career, education and job search website. The website offers tools, resources, and information to help users explore careers, make education and training decisions, search for jobs locally or nationally, and find local assistance, including their closest American Job Center. CareerOneStop is widely used by job seekers, students, businesses, and workforce professionals.

This webinar focuses on the CareerOneStop resources that are most helpful for the unique needs of job seekers with a criminal record. Join us to:

• Effectively use the CareerOneStop for Justice-Involved Job Seekers portal.
• Equip clients with essential job search skills and resources.
• Guide individuals through career exploration and training options.
• Identify resources to help overcome barriers to employment.
• Connect individuals with support services that foster long-term success.
• Learn how to use CareerOneStop within the correctional facility setting to support a successful reentry transition.
• Learn how to use core tools including the Practice Job Application, Job Finder, Local Training Finder, License Finder, Interest Assessment, and more. 

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop is available at no cost.

Register now.

Ramsey County has long been a critical, regional employment hub in Minnesota’s economy, home to major employers, a wide range of industries and leading through evolving technological advancements. Today, a fierce acceleration in workplace automation is emerging as a central trend reshaping how work gets done, what skills are needed, and how workers and employers succeed in Ramsey County, bringing expectations and opportunities into sharp focus.

New dimensions of work through automation

Automation brings transformative enhancements at multiple levels, where tools and systems boost individual productivity and streamline daily tasks. This evolution is particularly evident in manufacturing, where automation is transforming production processes, increasing efficiency, and redefining workforce demands. For Ramsey County manufacturers, these changes mean balancing cutting edge automation with a continued need for skilled workers to manage, maintain and innovate alongside new technologies. 

• Tactical efficiency: Automating repetitive processes enables faster product development and execution.
• Improved decision‑making: Analytics and AI deliver sharper insights, empowering leaders to act quickly and with data-driven confidence.
• Personalized training: Adaptive learning platforms deliver customized onboarding and upskilling for each learner, making development faster and more effective.
• Hyperautomation: Advanced systems now automate entire workflows, not just single tasks.

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. The 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.