|
 October 2026
I am proud to reflect on the momentum we continue to build together across Ramsey County’s workforce ecosystem. This month shines a spotlight on the innovation and collaboration that define our region, from celebrating Manufacturing Month to honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day and amplifying inclusive employment practices. Each story in this newsletter highlights the shared commitment of our partners, employers and community organizations to create meaningful opportunities for residents at every stage of their career journey.
On behalf of the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County (WIB), thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to strengthening our local workforce. Your engagement allows us to support thriving businesses, uplift job seekers and ensure Ramsey County remains a place where talent is developed, supported and celebrated.
Catrice Davis, WIB Executive Director
|
Manufacturing Month shines a spotlight on the strength, innovation, and resilience of Minnesota’s manufacturing sector, and Ramsey County remains at the forefront. With average annual wages exceeding $80,000 statewide and nearly $100,000 locally, the industry offers high-skill, high‑demand career pathways that consistently outperform the overall private sector average.
Throughout October, residents and employers are invited to explore new industry updates, workforce trends and tools for career success by visiting the Manufacturing Month page on Ramsey County’s website. The Made in Ramsey County feature series also returns, highlighting local manufacturers whose creativity, craftsmanship and forward‑thinking solutions continue to position Ramsey County as a leader in modern manufacturing.
Follow Ramsey County on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram all month to see what’s being made right here in our community.
Learn more about Manufacturing Month.
|
Workforce Solutions has released a Request for Proposal for Minnesota Youth Program (MYP) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Young Adult program services. The county is seeking proposals from qualified youth employment providers who will help eligible youth and young adults access employment opportunities, education and training and the support services they need to thrive.
|
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is on Monday, October 12. We recognize the land we live and work on as the ancestral lands of the Dakota Oyate and the home of the Ojibwe and Ho-Chunk peoples each year on the second Monday of October. Ramsey County encourages employees and residents to take the time to celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, histories and contributions of the original stewards of this land.
Ramsey County Commissioners Kelly Miller and Mai Chong Xiong will commemorate the day with a proclamation reading during a celebration at the American Indian Magnet School. This year will be the third annual event at the school, co-sponsored by local Native organizations, and will be held outdoors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is open to all.
The celebration will feature dance performances, archery and lacrosse for all ages, hide painting, and other activities for the whole family. Community organizations and local vendors will be tabling along with several Ramsey County departments. Join us in celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day by coming together to learn, share a meal and connect with community.
|
October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a long-standing recognition of the vital contributions that people with disabilities make in our workforce and economy. In 2026, NDEAM’s theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent”, honoring the skills of individuals with visible and non‑visible disabilities and aligning with the year‑long Freedom 250 celebration for America’s 250th birthday. Organizations across the country are encouraged to engage in awareness activities, utilize key messages and media tools and highlight inclusive employment best practices throughout the month.
|
The Employment Resource Fair on Sept. 9 brought more than 150 community members to the Ramsey County Library in Roseville, creating an impactful opportunity for residents to learn about local employment and training opportunities. Part of a series of statewide CareerForce Corner events and sponsored by Ramsey County Workforce Solutions and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the event helped bridge gaps in awareness by highlighting employment assistance programs many attendees didn’t know were available.
|
According to recent surveys, some Minnesota employers still face challenges finding workers with the necessary skills to fill open positions, despite the loosening labor market.
At the same time, many Minnesotans struggle to find family-sustaining employment, often because they lack the credentials to get hired into in-demand, career-path roles.
That’s where the Minnesota Skills-Based Talent Accelerator initiative comes in. The initiative is sponsored by the workforce development boards of Anoka County, Dakota and Scott Counties, Hennepin and Carver Counties, Ramsey County, Washington County and the City of Minneapolis, which are all Leading CareerForce Partners, in partnership with Goodwill-Easter Seals, the Twin Cities chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the Minneapolis Regional Chamber and the St. Paul Area Chamber.
Continue reading the story.
|
The Seven-County Twin Cities Metro Area was home to nearly 170,000 manufacturing jobs in 2025, making it the second largest-employing industry in the region. And these are high-paying jobs. On average, manufacturing workers in the Metro Area made annual wages of nearly $97,200. This was 16.2% higher than the average annual wage across all industries in the region.
The data also reveals that manufacturing workers in the region tend to be in their prime working years, between 25 and 64 years, and are less likely to be in the youngest or oldest age groups. In 2025, for example, 6.5% of the Metro Area's manufacturing workers were 24 years of age and younger. This is compared to 12.6% of workers across all industries being 24 years of age and younger. Let's take a closer look at younger workers in the Metro Area's manufacturing sector.
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 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. ce.
Learn more about the Toolkit.
|
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!
|
 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 Hired 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:
|
|
|
|
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.
Virtual introductory primers (one-hour webinars)
Upcoming workshops:
- Employer Workshop: Oct. 13, 9 a.m.-noon, Blaine Human Services Center - Register
- Education Industry Intensive: Oct, 21, 1-4 p.m., Virtual - Register
- Job Coach & CTE Workshop: Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-noon, Dakota County Northern Service Center, West Saint Paul - Register
Visit the Minnesota Skills‑Based Accelerator website to learn more.
 Developing Successful Career Pathways through Youth Skills Training & Youth Apprenticeships
Oct. 7, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Youth career pathway development is crucial for ensuring young people find fulfilling and sustainable careers, contributing to their personal growth and the overall economy in your community. It helps students explore different career options, acquire necessary skills and make informed decisions about their future while still in high school. With high schools and businesses providing structured support and opportunities, career pathways empower youth to navigate the complexities of the job market and achieve their goals with community support.
Join DEED's Workforce Strategy Consultant team, our partners, and employers to learn about the the two main work-based training (student-learner models) in the State of Minnesota, each offering businesses and youth over the age of 16 multiple benefits and how your organization, school and community can thrive with these models in place.
Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund Information Session
Oct. 28, 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.
|
|
Trees take time to grow. So do careers.
For 50 years, Tree Trust has helped both take root in the Twin Cities by cultivating urban landscapes and people alike. Its long-running partnership with Ramsey County has helped deliver a skilled and experienced workforce available to support businesses' success.
“Tree Trust helps young people prepare for employment, expand and care for the urban forest, and generate support for our nonprofit programs,” said Michael Huntington, Tree Trust CEO. “Through this work, we hope to create greater access to meaningful careers while building healthier, more resilient communities.”
Tree Trust’s work is centered on three primary areas of focus:
- Career Pathways - training and hands-on experience to help young people build sustainable and meaningful careers.
- Community Forestry - expanding care for urban forests through community and school-based volunteer plantings, municipal tree distributions and other targeted forestry initiatives.
- Tree Trust Landscape Services - a mission-driven social enterprise that helps to financially sustain Tree Trust’s nonprofit programs that create opportunities for green careers.
Continue reading the Tree Trust feature story.
This article marks the sixth 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
