Minneapolis Workforce Council News

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April 2016

For Your Calendar


Minneapolis Workforce Council

Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Time: 8:00 – 9:30am

Location: TBD

 

Minneapolis Teen Job and Opportunity Fair

Saturday, April 30, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Hennepin County Library - Minneapolis Central, Website

 

March 2016 Unemployment Rate for Minneapolis


The March 2016 unemployment rate ticked up ever so slightly to 3.5%, up .1% from February, resulting in 8,173 residents unemployed and actively seeking employment, a rise of 181 unemployed from February to March.

 

The federal government’s estimate of the Minneapolis labor force showed little change between February to March, dropping only 350 to 234,936.

 

The year-over-year trend for March shows both increased labor force participation and lower unemployment from one year ago.

 

March’s 3.5% unemployment rate in Minneapolis is 1.1% lower than the State of Minnesota, .2% lower than the seven county metro area, and 1.6% lower than the national average.

 

 

Minnesota Unemployment Rate Steady at 3.7 Percent in March

The Minnesota unemployment rate held steady at a seasonally adjusted 3.7 percent for the fifth consecutive month in March, according to figures released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The U.S. unemployment rate in March was 5 percent.

 

The labor force participation rate rose again, up three-tenths of a percentage point to 71.2 percent with 12,000 people entering the labor force. This is the highest labor force participation rate since September 2010.

 

Go here here for more details.

 

MnSCU Two-Year Occupational Grant Pilot Program

The new two-year MnSCU Occupational Pilot program 

provides financial assistance to students enrolled in qualifying career and technical programs at MnSCU two-year colleges so that students can complete the program within two years or less and find employment in a high-demand occupation. The grant will be implemented for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 academic years as a pilot program. Learn more.  

American Indian OIC Partner Profile

aioic

Members of AIOIC's employment services team: Don Clark, Dawn Paro, Vala Monroe, and Shirleen Blue

 

American Indian OIC (AIOIC) has been a partner of Minneapolis Employment and Training since the early 90's. Through Minneapolis Employment and Training, AIOIC is able to offer individualized career support services to Minneapolis residents over the age of 14. A team of eight employment services staff provide participants with assistance developing employment plans and résumés, connecting to personal resources, searching and applying for jobs, preparing for interviews, procuring professional clothing, and retaining and advancing employment.

 

Programs and services offered on AIOIC’s campus include:

  • Takoda Institute of Higher Education- The Takoda Institute is a career college that offers six to nine month accredited training for the occupations of Health Information Specialist, Computer Support Specialist, and Administrative Professional. Students complete industry-guided coursework followed by practicum experiences with business partners or Takoda-operated enterprises. The Takoda Institute is also a partner in the Minneapolis Saint Paul TechHire initiative.
  • Adult Basic Education (ABE) and GED Program- AIOIC is a Minnesota Department of Education consortia provider of ABE and GED services. Students receive individual and group instruction from licensed teachers to complete GED coursework and exams and prepare for college entrance.
  • Opportunity Center- Any jobseeker can utilize the organization’s public computer lab for their job search on a drop-in basis. Participants can also take part in complementary education programs like digital and financial literacy courses.
  • Takoda Prep- Takoda Prep is a Minneapolis Public Schools alternative high school that provides culturally-infused secondary education to students ages 14-21 who are at-risk of not completing high school. Takoda Prep emphasizes rapid credit recovery so students can attain their diploma and move on to higher education or meaningful employment.

Unique to AIOIC’s programming is its integration with Native American culture and staff’s knowledge of culturally-specific resources to address the unique needs of their Native participants. Although AOIC was founded to serve individuals of Native descent, most of its programs are open to anyone regardless of race, creed, age, gender, or sexual orientation. Last year over 1,200 individuals utilized its services. Former Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, and former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, have both recognized the organization’s excellence during visits to its campus.

 

Learn more about AIOIC’s programs, connect to employers, and enjoy a free lunch at its annual Founders’ Day Celebration and Career Fair on Thursday, May 19 from noon-3pm. Find more information here.

 

Read the recent Star Tribune article “Takoda Institute plays key role in bolstering minority IT workers”. 

 

Fairview Health Services Recognized by the White House

Fairview Health Services  has been recognized by the White House as one of seven founding communities taking part in the Health Career Pathways initiative, which helps create ladders of opportunity in health care careers. The White House shared Fairview's commitment to offer 170 new nursing apprenticeships and hire and offer paid student internships to up to 200 low-income workers and students, in partnership with the Minneapolis Workforce Council, HealthForce Minnesota, and Minnesota higher education institutions. Link

 

 

Mayor Hodges Welcomes 20 Students to IT-Ready Women-Only Class at EMERGE

On, Monday, April 11, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges welcomed 20 excited students starting their first day of an eight week, intensive tech training run by Creating IT Futures Foundation – IT Ready at EMERGE in North Minneapolis. The training is a free, women-only class offered as a part of the Minneapolis Saint Paul TechHire (MSP TechHire) initiative.


To close the workforce skills gap in the high-tech economy, the MSP TechHire initiative enables diverse workers to access training, support and tech jobs across the Greater Minneapolis Region. In the IT-Ready program, students learn the breakdown of computers and hardware that will enable them to build their own desktop computer, how to set up computer networks and troubleshoot operating systems, as well as a number of other skills needed to get an entry-level job in the field of information technology. Students take the CompTIA A+ Certification exam upon completing the class which covers desktop and help-desk technical support duties and skills.


The IT-Ready women’s’ class is funded by  City of Minneapolis Employment and Training, The Minneapolis Foundation Community Action Funds, North Star Fund, the Paul and Mary Reyelts Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation, and the Women’s Endowment Fund, a designated fund of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Foundation.  Learn more about MSP Techhire online.


Tony Goze Featured in Entrepreneurs Success Stories

Tony Goze is President and Chief Manager of MAG Mechanical, one of the many small businesses working on the new Vikings stadium. He is also a Vice Chair and Board Member of the Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Minneapolis Workforce Council.

 

Goze talks about the challenges facing entrepreneurs in a conversation with Commissioner Kevin Lindsey that was featured in the MDHR/CTV15 production, On the Margins - Entrepreneurs (part 2).

See Tony’s interview here.

 

Over 1,700 Youth Receive Job Interview Experience from STEP-UP

mock

The City of Minneapolis STEP-UP  Youth Employment Program hosted its 13th annual “mock interviews” at the Minneapolis Convention Center the week of April 11th. At the event, 1,700 Minneapolis youth preparing for STEP-UP internships gained real-life interview experience and feedback from over 400 Twin Cities business professionals. The event provided youth with insights on how to prepare, communicate professionally, dress for, and network during a real interview. 

 

Many STEP-UP youth consider the mock interview one of the most important parts of their work  readiness training, allowing them to test out their new skills and learn to relax under stress, all while receiving constructive feedback from real business professionals. 

 

Prior to the interview, all STEP-UP interns completed 7-14 hours of work readiness training directed by AchieveMpls and certified by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. These trainings focused on professional communication, problem solving, professionalism, interview skills and resume writing.

 

Youth at mock interviews, as well as over 400 middle school STEP-UP youth who do not attend mock interviews,  

are now job-ready and will be placed into position during the month of May.  STEP-UP expects to place over 1,700 youth into paid job experiences this summer.   

 

Thirty-two 6th-8th Graders Participate in SCRUBS Camp

City of Minneapolis Employment and Training partnered with Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and Fairview Health Services to allow thirty-two 6th-8th graders to participate in SCRUBS Camp during Spring Break in April. 

 

Young people enjoyed learning about a wide variety of medical career options in biomedical engineering, nursing, pet therapy, emergency medical technology, dentistry, oncology, the surgical field, and more.

 

The week included a day on the University of Minnesota campus with the Masonic Cancer Research Center, a day on campus with Minneapolis Community and Technical College nursing professionals, a day with a surgical simulation lab, along with many other guest medical professionals that provided experiences for students.

 

The student attendance rate for the week was an outstanding 99%!  Scrubs Camp for Middle School Youth will be offered this summer through MPS in three distinct sessions.

 

R.T. Rybak's Book Launch Party Benefits STEP-UP Interns

On Wednesday, April 13th supporters of R.T. Rybak showed up to First Avenue to celebrate the release of his book, Pothole Confidential: My Life as Mayor of Minneapolis. Proceeds from the fun night of local music, highlights from the book, and book signings were donated to STEP-UP, the City of Minneapolis youth employment program that Rybak co-founded in 2004 with Richard Davis, U.S. Bancorp Chair, President and CEO.                        

STEP-UP is a highly successful pairing of the private and public sectors to train and prepare the future workforce. In his position as co-founder and co-chair, R.T. Rybak continues to champion the effort to inform businesses of the value of hiring motivated, diverse, and talented STEP-UP interns.

 

Since 2004, the City of Minneapolis STEP-UP program has created over 21,000 meaningful internships for youth, helping young people to gain 21st century skills, build professional connections, explore career interests, and begin the path to educational and career success.

 

R.T. Rybak is currently Executive Director of Generation Next, a public–private coalition that helps improve academic outcomes for children of color.

 

New Leaders Named

Top Dayton Aide Shawntera Hardy to Lead DEED

Shawntera Hardy will replace DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben, who stepped down April 22 after more than three years at the helm. Hardy has served as Dayton’s deputy chief of staff since March 2015. Learn more about Hardy.

 

DEED Names Assistant Commissioner of New Office of Career and Business Opportunity

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has named Karen Francois Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Career and Business Opportunity. The new DEED office was created by Gov. Mark Dayton to help workers and businesses of color find career paths and business opportunities in Minnesota. Learn More about Francois.

 

New Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) President Selected

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees named Sharon Pierce president of MCTC effective July 1, 2016. Pierce has served Howard Community College (Md.) as the vice president for academic affairs since 2010. Read More about Pierce.

 

Governor Dayton Appoints James C. Burroughs II as Chief Inclusion Officer for the State

Governor  Dayton announced the appointment of James C. Burroughs II as Chief Inclusion Officer for the State of Minnesota. Burroughs will oversee the State of Minnesota’s efforts to ensure: (1) that the state’s workforce reflects the rich diversity of Minnesota; (2) increasing state contracting opportunities for racially diverse businesses; and (3) increasing the state’s civic engagement and partnerships with communities of color and other diverse communities. Learn More about Burroughs.