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 March 2026
As we move into March, I’m pleased to share updates that reflect the energy and collaboration across our workforce ecosystem. This month’s newsletter highlights key opportunities, from the 2026 Inclusive Workplaces Cohort to funding and training programs that support employers, job seekers and community partners throughout Ramsey County.
On behalf of the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County (WIB), thank you for your continued commitment to building an inclusive, skilled and resilient workforce. I encourage you to explore the resources and events included here and to stay connected as we advance this important work together
- Yolanda Y. McIntosh, WIB Chair
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 Ramsey County businesses are invited to apply for the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort, an executive leadership learning program designed to help organizations take meaningful steps toward creating more welcoming workplaces.
Why participate?
- Connect with other business leaders committed to building positive work environments.
- Position your organization as a leader in fostering an inclusive culture.
- Gain practical strategies to strengthen inclusion in your workplace.
There is no cost for participating businesses.
The deadline to apply is the close of business Friday, March 6.
Visit the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort webpage for additional details and to apply today.
Ramsey County and Hennepin County are partnering to offer CEO Now, a no‑cost learning program that helps emerging small business owners strengthen and scale their businesses. Over seven months, participants receive up to 100 hours of strategic and technical training, including financial management, sales processes, business assessment and peer collaboration. The 2026 cohort will meet at the Edina Chamber of Commerce building.
CEO Now is open to CEOs of small, established businesses with at least one employee, two years of operating history and annual revenue between $250,000 and $2 million. Applications are open until March 20 and classes begin April 22.
For more information or to apply, visit CEO Now. Questions can be directed to Fabio.Tenorio@co.ramsey.mn.us.
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Starting March 1, Ramsey County's Metro Square building will officially be renamed the Ramsey County Government Center. The new name reflects the building’s evolution into a central, welcoming hub where residents can access a wide range of county and partner services. This name was chosen to provide clearer wayfinding, strengthen public understanding and better represent the building’s role in serving the community.
In the weeks ahead, residents will see updated exterior signs, changes across county digital platforms and improvements to skyway wayfinding. While the name is changing, the services offered at the Government Center, and the county's commitment to residents, remain the same.
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The Minnesota Promise Act is now accepting applications from small businesses and nonprofit organizations seeking support to grow, stabilize, or recover. The program provides grants and loans to help organizations in Saint Paul and Minneapolis expand economic opportunity, strengthen local communities and promote equitable development.
Eligible businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to apply early and review all guidelines to ensure a complete submission.
Learn more about the MN Promise Act.
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Apply now for the city of Saint Paul Neighborhood STAR Program Grants. These programs support projects that help beautify and promote arts and culture in our city. Specifically, the Neighborhood STAR grants fund capital projects in Saint Paul neighborhoods.
Learn more about the Neighborhood STAR Program grants.
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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.
Link to the full toolkit.
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When visiting the Labor Market Information Office website, you'll discover about two dozen distinct data tools. About half of these tools have some aspects of educational data embedded in them, including the following:
Through these tools, users can begin to understand the role of education in countless career pathways and outcomes. For example, users of DEED's Occupations in Demand tool can learn about what occupations are in the most demand in the Twin Cities Metro Area and what type of education those occupations typically require for entry. Users of DEED's Career Pathways tool can view this same type of information while additionally learning what career clusters they are in. Meanwhile, users of Quarterly Workforce Indicators can look at the changing educational attainment trends of jobholders by industry.
Continue reading the article by Tim O'Neill, DEED Regional Analyst.
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.
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Jenni Severson
APi Group
WIB Member since 2025
Why are you passionate about workforce development?
Workforce development is ultimately about removing barriers. Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. When employers partner with their communities, we create clearer pathways into meaningful careers that strengthen the entire ecosystem. I'm especially committed to supporting youth and women as they explore career paths. Exposure, mentorship and advocacy matter. When business show up with intension, not just with open roles, the impact extends far beyond a single hire. It strengthens families, companies, and our broader community.
Learn more about Jenni.
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March 1–7 marks Women in Construction Week (WIC), a national celebration recognizing the vital contributions of women in the construction industry. Established in 1998 by the The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), WIC Week has grown into a nationwide effort to highlight career opportunities, honor women’s leadership, and strengthen support for those working in the field.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul NAWIC chapter will once again host events throughout the week. This year’s theme, “An Opportunity to Share Appreciation, Celebrate Our Diversity and Facilitate Connections in Our Industry,” underscores the importance of recognizing women’s achievements while building stronger, more inclusive networks across construction professions.
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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:
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 trainer:
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 Future-Proofing Your Workforce: Skills for 2030 and Beyond
March 4, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The future of work is here, and forward-thinking Minnesota employers are already preparing their teams for tomorrow's challenges! Join us for this session to explore how AI automation is reshaping skill requirements across industries statewide, building internal training capacity, and creating career pathways that benefit both employers and employees.
In this webinar, we'll discuss innovative approaches to competency-based training and provide actionable strategies for building a resilient, adaptable workforce ready to thrive in 2030 and beyond.
- Shayla Drake, Northeast Workforce Strategy Consultant, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) - Facilitator
- Amanda Bell - Coordinator of Immersive and Digital Learning, MN South Central Service Co-operative - Panelist
- Vicki Hagberg - Regional Director, Northland SBDC - Panelist
To register.
MN Skills-Based Hiring Accelerator Workshops
March 10, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Washington County Service Center, Woodbury
March 31, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Bloomington CareerForce Center
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.
3rd Annual Reentry Fair Chance Job Fair
March 10, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Goodwill Easter Seals MN, 553 Fairview Ave. N. Saint Paul
Connect with 25+ fair chance employers open to hiring justice-impacted Individuals. Some employers are hiring on-the-spot, so dress professionally and bring your resume to share with employers. Also offered:
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Help from career navigators
- Resume and interview coaching
- Get your professional portrait taken - LinkedIn profile photos being offered by Emily Baxter, founder of We Are All Criminals
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Ride Metro Transit for free!
Learn more about the job fair.
Metro Region Economic & Workforce Summit
March 11, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Bunker Hills Event Ctr, 12800 Bunker Prairie Rd NW, Coon Rapids
Join us for the Metro Region 2026 Economic and Workforce Development Summit. With five generations active in today’s workforce, teams have unique challenges and opportunities in managing, motivating and recruiting those with such diverse perspectives. Come network with other leaders, hear insights and talk with organizations doing the work to make your team more successful!
- Keynote: Mike Kutzke – Professional Training Services
- MN DEED Labor Market Information Office: Sharing the data!
- Keynote: Clare Richards – Impacks
- Panel Discussion with local non-profits supporting job skill development in different generations
- In addition to the program, we’ll have exhibitors sharing information on local and state programs, organizations, chambers and more!
Register today!
 Green Ramsey Expo & Career Fair
March 18,10 a.m.-1 p.m.
West Minnehaha Recreation Center, 685 W Minnehaha Ave, Saint Paul
The Green Ramsey Expo & Career Fair is an opportunity for residents to meet organizations whose missions include recycling, creating green space, environmental clean-up and more.
Job seekers will also learn about and have the opportunity to apply for green collar careers in emerging industries, as well as conventional businesses and trades who have shifted to more sustainable practices. Green resources and activities happening in the community will be highlighted as well.
Employers and resource providers include:
- Metropolitan Council and Metro Transit
- Bay West
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Walters Recycling & Refuse
- Metropolitan Mosquito Control District
- Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy
- Tree Trust
- Ramsey County
- City of Saint Paul
- Center for Energy and Environment
- Tree Trust
- Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence
- Center for Energy and Environment
- Minnesota Chamber Environmental Sustainability Foundation
- Sustainable Resources Center
- City of Minneapolis Green Career Exploration
- and more!
There will also be a workshop, "Sustainable Futures: Exploring Environmental Health Careers in Ramsey County." Space is limited for the workshop, register here.
Learn more about the Green Expo and Career Fair.
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By Tu-Uyen Tran, Senior Writer, Minneapolis Federal Reserve
The economy of the Federal Reserve’s Ninth District sent some mixed signals last year. In dollar terms, growth continued, but in employment terms, it slowed. That was among the themes discussed at the Minneapolis Fed’s annual Regional Economic Conditions Conference on January 9.
Keynote speaker, Xcel Energy Chairman, President, and CEO Bob Frenzel, observed an economy growing at two speeds. One part of the economy, driven by population growth in the utility’s Upper Midwest territory continued to enjoy steady, moderate growth. The part of the economy driven by data centers powering artificial intelligence has accelerated rapidly.
“We talk to all the hyperscalers. … We’re in daily conversations with all their development teams,” he said, and all of them are looking for new sites for data centers. He compared the current stage of AI development to the 1890s, when hydroelectric dams were first built at St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis.
Continue reading the article.
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