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 April 2026
April is Youth Employment Month, a time to celebrate the young people who represent our region’s future workforce and to recognize the partners who help them build skills, explore careers and take meaningful steps toward their goals. The Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County (WIB) is proud to honor the recipients of the 2026 Youth Workforce Champion Awards, Nardos Tesfalidet and Hal Reynolds. Their leadership and dedication reflect the spirit of Youth Employment Month and demonstrate the impact that committed partners can have on young people’s education and career pathways.
We are also pleased to share the 2025 Annual Business Report, shaped by our theme Strengthening Workforce, Strengthening Community. This theme underscores our commitment to building a resilient, future‑ready workforce and supporting the well‑being of residents, job seekers and employers across the county. I invite you to take a moment to explore the report and see the impact of our work together.
On behalf of the WIB, thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening opportunities for all.
- Catrice O'Neal, WIB Executive Director
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 We are excited to share the 2025 Annual Business Report for the WIB and Workforce Solutions. This year’s report centers on our theme, Strengthening Workforce, Strengthening Community, which reflects our shared commitment to building a skilled and resilient workforce that supports the well‑being of the entire community.
The report showcases the dedication of our board members, the hard work of Workforce Solutions team and the meaningful contributions of our community and employer partners. Together, we have expanded access to opportunities, strengthened connections across systems and deepened our collective impact.
As we look ahead, the WIB and Workforce Solutions remain committed to advancing strategies that grow talent and support a strong and vibrant community. Thank you for your continued partnership in this important work.
Read the report.
 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 has been extended to the close of business Monday, April 13.
Visit the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort webpage for additional details and to apply today.
The WIB proudly recognized the outstanding achievements of Nardos Tesfalidet and Hal Reynolds as the recipients of the 2026 Youth Workforce Champion Awards. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting and empowering Ramsey County’s youth and young adults on their personal, educational and career journeys.
The awards celebrate two outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed to the growth and development of Ramsey County’s young people, ages 14–24:
Nardos Tesfalidet, Right Track Program Supervisor with the City of Saint Paul, received the prestigious Legacy Award, recognizing her long-standing leadership and profound impact on youth and young adult workforce development. Through her leadership, Right Track has expanded access to high-quality internships and career exploration opportunities for more than 1,000 young people annually, while centering equity, youth voice and community partnership.
Hal Reynolds, Founder and CEO of the Disinvested Youth Gaming Initiative (DYGI), was honored with the Rising Star Award for his emerging leadership and innovative contributions to youth workforce development. Through DYGI, Hal has created new pathways connecting young people’s interest in gaming and esports to technology skills, mentorship and career opportunities, engaging over 100 youth in its first year.
 Nardos Tesfalidet (center), celebrates her Youth Workforce Champion Legacy award with WIB leaders and the Saint Paul Right Track team.
Ramsey County Workforce Solutions is hiring for its next Deputy Director. This leadership role reports to the Director and is responsible for managing and coordinating departmental programs, operations and key partnerships. The Deputy Director provides high-level administrative and executive support, oversees workforce development programs and county strategic initiatives and represents the department on countywide workgroups and committees. The role also plays a central part in strengthening stakeholder relationships, advancing innovative strategies that support workforce and economic growth and contributing to long-range planning and department direction. The posting is open now and will close on April 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Thanks for sharing this opportunity widely.
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On March 18, more than 90 residents came together for the 3rd Annual Ramsey Green Expo and Career Fair, held at the West Minnehaha Recreation Center. The event, co-hosted by Ramsey County’s Environmental Health and Workforce Solutions departments, highlighted the growing opportunities in green careers and connected community members with organizations leading environmental sustainability efforts across the region.
The event featured 20 exhibitors representing emerging green industries, environmentally focused nonprofits and conventional businesses and trades that have incorporated more sustainable practices. Attendees explored careers in areas such as recycling, environmental clean-up, energy efficiency, transit, conservation and more.
Learn more about the Green Expo.
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Ramsey County's Metro Square building is now 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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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 Onboarding section of the toolkit provides resources to help employers create a welcoming and supportive experience for new employees, setting the foundation for long-term success. It offers guidance on developing structured onboarding programs that foster connection, clarity, and confidence from day one. Key strategies include assigning mentors, providing clear communication about workplace expectations and resources, and ensuring all employees feel valued and included in workplace culture. By prioritizing an inclusive onboarding process, employers can enhance employee engagement, reduce turnover and build a stronger, more connected workforce.
Link to the full toolkit
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Job Connect is Ramsey County’s job board created in collaboration with local chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and municipalities. It is free for employers and job seekers to use and includes several unique features, such as the ability to search for youth friendly jobs and by transit accessibility, by industry, keyword and location using an interactive map. Consider posting your organization’s job openings and sharing with individuals looking for jobs in Ramsey County.
Visit the Job Connect webpage to learn more!
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Ramsey County has launched a redesigned website to better serve residents, businesses and partners with improved navigation, accessibility and mobile responsiveness.
As part of this update, the county’s web address has changed from ramseycounty.us to RamseyCountyMN.gov. Be sure to update your bookmarks and links to reflect the new RamseyCountyMN.gov URL.
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 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.
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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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New/Expanded Grant Information Session for Workforce Professionals
April 6, 2-3 p.m
Do you know of an employer in your area who is interested in registered apprenticeship but has concerns about how to fund it? Or do you work with an employer who already has a registered apprenticeship program and is looking to expand into in-demand occupations
Apprenticeship Minnesota is hosting a virtual information session for workforce professionals on new grant funding available to help employers start or expand registered apprenticeship programs. Ruth Taylor, Apprenticeship MN Grant Manager, will present, with senior field reps Gerri and Paul Nikstad available for questions.
Register today.
Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund Information Session
April 22, 2-3 p.m.
Discover how the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) can help your business thrive while fostering a more accessible workplace. Small to mid-sized businesses in Minnesota can receive reimbursements of up to $30,000 for providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees with disabilities.
Attend an informative and engaging session to learn about:
- the benefits of workplace accessibility for your business.
- how ERAF simplifies providing accommodations and supports your bottom line.
- real-world examples of accommodations that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction.
Gain actionable insights and make your workplace more accessible by registering today.
People of Color Career Fair
April 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Saint Paul RiverCentre
Job seekers and employers are invited to the People of Color Career Fair on April 28 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. This event brings together top employers from across the region who are committed to hiring diverse talent and offering meaningful career opportunities. Whether exploring new paths or ready for the next step, this fair is a great chance to connect, network, and learn.
Learn more.
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Trade Games
April 29, 4-6:30 p.m.
Pipefitters 455 Apprenticeship Training Center
1301 L’Orient Street, Saint Paul
Women Building Success and the Apprenticeship Coordinator Association of Minnesota are teaming up to host this year’s Trades Games Challenge, an event created specifically for women exploring careers in the skilled trades.
This hands-on event is a fantastic opportunity for students, community members, and anyone curious about the trades to try out activities, meet apprenticeship representatives, and discover new career pathways. If you’re looking for ways to expand programming or connect women to high‑demand career options, this is an excellent place to start.
Learn more about the Trade Games.
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 Ramsey County Means Business, Ramsey County’s Workforce and Economic Development website, is the go-to resource for opportunities in Ramsey County for businesses and entrepreneurs, employers and job seekers. Now, with the addition of a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, it is even easier to find the information needed to make informed decisions.
Ramsey County Means Business is designed to centralize critical economic development resources, a “one-stop shop” of sorts of incentives, workforce tools and business support services in one convenient online portal.
The new FAQ page enhances this mission by offering quick, clear answers to common questions.
Those seeking their next career will find that Ramsey County has a wide range of opportunities waiting for them. Job seekers and students can learn about career pathways, training opportunities and initiatives.
.Continue reading the article
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