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 July 2026
As we move through the summer, I’m inspired by the momentum we’re building across our workforce initiatives. Each month brings new examples of collaboration, innovation, and impact - from major hiring events to ongoing efforts that expand access to employment, training and career advancement.
This newsletter highlights just a few of the ways our community is working together to support residents and meet the evolving needs of local employers. Whether you are helping individuals prepare for their next career step, building inclusive hiring practices or developing new pathways into high-demand fields, your leadership makes a meaningful difference.
On behalf of the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County (WIB), thank you for your continued commitment to ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to succeed and every employer has access to the talent they need to thrive. I look forward to the work ahead and to the progress we will continue to make together.
Yolanda Y. McIntosh, WIB Chair
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More than 650 job seekers made their way toAllianz Field on June 30 for the 2026 Midway Area Job Fair. This event, hosted by the WIB and Workforce Solutions, was our largest hiring event of the year. With participation from more than 40 employers and community organizations, the event provided residents with direct connections to quality career opportunities across a wide range of industries. It also gave employers valuable access to the talent they need to continue growing and thriving.
Due to the warm weather, this year’s career fair moved inside the stadium, giving attendees a more comfortable space to connect with employers and explore opportunities. There was also a resource area where job seekers could access support from partners offering guidance on employment services, community programs and other essential needs for successful job search.
The 2026 Midway Area Job Fair once again showcased the strength of local partnerships in helping residents pursue meaningful careers while supporting businesses in meeting their workforce needs. With strong turnout, a supportive environment and dedicated employers and partners, the event continues to be a cornerstone of our local workforce efforts.
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 Commissioner Kelly Miller and Saint Paul City Councilmember Molly Coleman joined Workforce Solutions Director Catrice Davis, members of the WIB, representatives from DEED and county staff at the job fair.
 In 2025, there were around 80,000 people employed in computer-related occupations in the seven county Twin Cities Metro area, accounting for just over 4.5% of total employment in the region. And while the Twin Cities has about 60% of total employment in the state, it is home to nearly 75% of the state's Information Technology workers.
These occupations tend to offer high wages and are in high demand, and typically are highlighted as among the fastest growing in the region. While the median wage across all occupations in the region was $28.48 per hour, median wages for computer-related occupations ranged from a low of almost $32 for Computer User Support Specialists to nearly $85 an hour for Computer & Information Systems Managers.
Continue reading this month's Local Look blog.
Workforce Solutions and the WIB continue to support employers in creating welcoming, inclusive workplaces where all employees feel valued. One key resource in this effort is the Inclusive Employer Toolkit, designed to help organizations strengthen inclusion across recruitment, hiring, onboarding and retention. The toolkit offers practical strategies and guidance to help employers build environments where every worker can succeed.
The Recruitment section of the Toolkit outlines how to craft and share job postings that use inclusive, plain, and gender-neutral language, while providing clear wage information and innovative benefits to attract a broad range of candidates. It also emphasizes expanding recruitment channels and collecting demographic data to refine hiring practices, ensuring that job requirements and screening processes are truly accessible to all individuals..
Learn more about the Toolkit.
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CareerForce.MN.gov is Minnesota’s official online hub for job seekers and it’s packed with tools and resources to make the employment journey smoother, faster, and more effective. Whether you’re working with job seekers or looking for talent, CareerForce.MN.gov offers a comprehensive, user-friendly platform to help Minnesotans connect with meaningful work.
Visitors can search thousands of job postings from Minnesota employers using the new. Job seekers can tailor searches to their needs, build and store resumes, explore training options and easily register for free job search workshops. The site also features a statewide calendar of job fairs and hiring events, plus up-to-date contact information for more than 50 CareerForce locations, including CareerForce in Saint Paul, where staff are ready to provide personalized support.
Visit CareerForce.MN.gov to learn more.
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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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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:
Community Partner of the Day
Thursdays, 3–5 p.m., at the Roseville Library
Discover something new each week at Partner of the Day! Meet local organizations, explore helpful services and make meaningful connections in a fun, welcoming drop‑in experience. Visit the Partner Directory to learn about local workforce programs and services.
Featured partners:
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 Raising the Bar: How to Assess and Improve Job Quality
July 8, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
What makes a job truly “good”? Join us to explore how Minnesota’s Governor’s Workforce Development Board is developing a Job Quality Framework to help employers evaluate and improve the jobs they offer. The framework supports efforts to create more equitable, competitive workplaces by focusing on key aspects of job quality that matter to both workers and employers.
Webinar Facilitator:
- Shayla Drake - Northeast Workforce Strategy Consultant, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
Panelists:
- Katie McClelland - Director of the Governor's Workforce Development Board (GWDB), Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
- Kevion Ellis - GWDB Partnership Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
- Crystle Illa - Director of Talent Acquisition, Children's Minnesota
- Erik Johnson - Vice President, K Johnson Construction
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For many individuals, the path to a more hopeful and rewarding future can feel overwhelming, with financial challenges and other barriers standing in the way. Short-term career training can often be the key to getting started.
At HAP Academy OIC, that opportunity is paired with personalized support, industry connections and a mission to expand access to workforce training across the region.
A recent testimonial from a participant summarizes the broader impact. “This program didn’t just give me a job. It gave me a future and showed my kids that anything is possible.”
HAP Academy OIC is operated by the Hmong American Partnership, one of Ramsey County’s young adult employment program partners. HAP Academy OIC is a licensed short-term career training school focused on helping students quickly gain the technical, occupational, workplace and academic skills needed for in-demand careers. Since launching programming in 2024, it has rapidly expanded to reach approximately 500 students annually.
Continue reading the Hmong American Partnership feature story.
This article marks the third in a series highlighting Ramsey County Workforce Solution’s partners. These community-based organizations deliver specialized employment and training services on behalf of the county. Their efforts expand access to workforce programs through career exploration, job-readiness training and paid work experiences for individuals facing barriers to employment. They are integral in strengthening the local workforce ecosystem and helping residents move toward stable, long-term employment.
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