|
 September 2026
Workforce Development Month provides a powerful reminder of how much we can accomplish when partners, employers and community organizations move forward together. This issue of the newsletter highlights that collaboration in action, from new youth-centered engagement like the Hello Ramsey County podcast to expanded skills-based hiring efforts and upcoming events across the county.
On behalf of the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County (WIB), thank you to our staff and community partners whose dedication continues to strengthen our workforce ecosystem. Your commitment ensures our residents have access to opportunities, resources and pathways that support long-term success.
Yolanda Y. McIntosh, WIB Chair
|
 As we celebrate Workforce Development Month, we’re excited to shine a light on the people and programs that strengthen our local talent ecosystem. Follow CareerForce and Ramsey County's social media channels for spotlights on workforce professionals and updates on the many resources available to job seekers and employers. Throughout the month, you will learn more about the work our staff and partners do every day to help individuals find meaningful employment and support employers in connecting with the skilled talent they need to thrive.
 “Hello Ramsey County” is a new monthly podcast that engages young people in conversations about a variety of county programs, services and issues that impact their lives.
Produced in partnership with Saint Paul Neighborhood Network, the podcast reaches Gen Z in a format that’s both familiar and accessible to them. Episodes are hosted by members of the Gen Z generation who lead conversations with county staff and community members about issues that matter to them and the resources available in Ramsey County.
The first episode, which focuses on workforce development and explores employment opportunities, career pathways and resources available to young people, features Longkee Vang, Program Specialist with Workforce Solutions. The discussion highlights how Ramsey County and community partners are working to help youth prepare for and succeed in the workforce.
Hello Ramsey County is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to expand community engagement and make county information more accessible to residents. New episodes will air on Ramsey County’s YouTube channel in the middle of every month beginning in August and will cover a variety of topics.
Watch the first episode of Hello Ramsey County.
Since 2012, the goal of Scrubs Camp at Saint Paul College has been to get students excited and interested in pursuing a career in the health sciences. Students come to campus, learn from employer partners and college instructors about the many different career paths available to them in the medical field, and return home motivated and focused on their future possibilities. Campers interact directly with working professionals, tour multiple sites and lab spaces, and dive into hands‑on activities in surgical, nursing, pediatrics, EMT, homecare, pharmacy and more. A typical camp experience exposes students to a variety of lab equipment like microscopes, slides, specimens, simulation mannequins, and surgical tools.
Scrubs Camp showcases employers and roles across the metro. Employer partners who volunteered their time to help educate students at Scrubs Camp 2026 included staff from Fairview, Allina, MN Children’s, Mayo Clinic, ACR Homes, Living Well Healthcare, the Minnesota Department of Health and Pediatric Home Services.
Continue reading more about Scrubs Camp
|
 |
The metro area workforce boards, in partnership with Goodwill Easter Seals, are expanding the Minnesota Skills‑Based Accelerator program with new workshops designed to strengthen Minnesota’s growing skills‑based ecosystem.
These sessions now support career counselors, employers, industry partners and other workforce stakeholders in preparing job seekers, improving hiring practices and aligning talent strategies statewide. A skills‑based ecosystem connects counselors, employers, and industries around shared competencies, creating clearer pathways, stronger pipelines and more resilient communities.
New workshops now include three distinct tracks:
- For career counselors: In‑person and virtual sessions that help practitioners guide job seekers in identifying strengths, telling their stories, and navigating both human and AI‑driven hiring systems with confidence.
- For employers: Hands‑on workshops that support hiring managers and HR teams in rebuilding job descriptions, interviews, onboarding, and upskilling strategies using a skills‑first approach.
- Industry Sector: Virtual intensives tailored to healthcare, skilled trades, education, manufacturing, and other sectors, supporting cross‑sector alignment and long‑term workforce readiness.
Visit the Minnesota Skills‑Based Accelerator website to learn more and to register.
In the article below, DEED’s Labor Market Information Office outlines how green and clean employment is defined and distributed across Metro Area industries, highlighting employment shares, wages and county-level estimates within Minnesota’s emerging clean economy.
The Department of Employment and Economic Development's (DEED) Labor Market Information Office recently began the effort of defining and analyzing green and clean employment in the State of Minnesota. Check out these quarterly Economic Trends articles to get a comprehensive look at how this has been done:
Continue reading this month's Local Look blog to dig into the potential green and clean economy in the Metro Area.
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 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.
Learn more about the Toolkit.
|
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 WIB is proud to sponsor the 2026 Inclusive Workplaces Cohort, a 9-month peer learning journey designed to help Ramsey County employers build more welcoming and supportive workplaces. Each month, we’ll spotlight one of the participating organizations that’s leaning into this important work. This month's spotlight is Face to Face Health & Counseling, an organization making meaningful impacts in our community. Follow along on social media and in future WIB newsletters to see how these employers are leading by example.
|
|
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:
|
|
|
 Future-Ready Talent: Building Your Bench Through Mentorship, Sponsorship and Succession Planning
Sept. 2, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
As workforce needs continue to change, employers are thinking differently about how to retain talent, prepare for transitions and grow employees from within. Mentorship, sponsorship and succession planning are three practical strategies that can help organizations strengthen internal talent pipelines, adapt to changing workforce needs and prepare for the future of work.
This Workforce Wednesday will explore how employers can support employee growth, create clearer pathways for advancement, transfer institutional knowledge and prepare for future leadership or critical-role needs. The conversation will focus on practical ideas organizations can consider, whether they are just beginning this work or looking to strengthen existing efforts.
Participants will hear perspectives on how intentional talent development can support retention, continuity and long-term workforce readiness.
Visit with several workforce partners at the Employment Resource Fair to:
- Learn about resources to help you prepare for and find work.
- Talk face-to-face with employment program providers.
- Find out about job search resources available at the library.
Participating employment program providers include:
- Job Corps
- Minneapolis American Indian Center
- Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
- Ramsey County Workforce Solutions
- Saint Paul College
- Senior Community Service Employment Program
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Learn more about the Employment Resource Fair.
Selby Avenue Jazz Fest
Sept. 12, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. along Selby Ave near Milton St.
Ramsey County and its community partners will be at the Selby Jazz Fest sharing resources and promoting fair opportunity hiring for individuals and families impacted by the justice system. Representatives from several Ramsey County departments, along with organizations in the Fair Opportunities Reentry Group and Employers (FORGE) coalition, will be on site to connect with job seekers and community members and highlight supportive services available throughout the county.
Learn more about Jazz Fest.
|
Innovation @ the Park
Oct. 1, 3:30-6:30 p.m. in Rice Park, 109 4th St. W, Saint Paul
Back for its second year, join Full Stack Saint Paul and the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation for Innovation @ The Park in Rice Park. The event will feature local innovative entrepreneurs, resources for growing your business and networking, food trucks, interactive demos and more.
After you check out Innovation @ The Park, stop at Minnedemo at The Ordway to see live demos on stage!
Learn more about Innovation @ The Park.
|
|
|
When Regina Edmisten talks about the students who come through Change Inc.'s doors, she doesn't just talk about diplomas — she talks about confidence.
"Students aren't just building job skills at Change Inc., they're building life skills," said Edmisten, Director of College and Career Readiness (CCR). “Students graduate with a high school diploma but also with the tools to navigate the world beyond high school, whether that means fixing something in their own home someday or knowing how to work with a contractor.”
Change Inc. merged with GAP School in 2019, which continues as one of its core programs. The organization works closely with Ramsey County and is one of Ramsey County Workforce Solutions’ WIOA Youth program contracted vendors.
Edmisten has spent nearly three decades helping young people in Ramsey County chart a path forward, many of whom haven't found the right fit in a traditional high school setting. Change Inc. is a different experience, where academics and career preparation move forward together. Many students earn industry-recognized credentials, extending possibilities well beyond the classroom.
"We are not one or the other, but two intentional programs in one," said Edmisten. “I think that's a huge motivating factor for many of our young people."
Continue reading the Change Inc. feature story.
This article marks the fifth 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
