November 2016

For Your Calendar

Workforce Development Strategic Discussion

Date: December 9, 2016

Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Location: St. Paul 

Workforce development partners are invited to a convening to discuss the state of workforce training in Minnesota. 

The event will be convened by DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy.

RSVP

Minneapolis Workforce Development Board Meeting

Date: January 17, 2017

Time: 8:00 a.m.

Location: TBA

October 2016 Unemployment Rate for Minneapolis

The October 2016 unemployment rate dropped to percent, down .3 percent from September, resulting in 6,956 residents unemployed and actively seeking employment, a decrease of 518 unemployed from September to October.

The federal government’s estimate of the Minneapolis labor force decreased between September and October, losing 2,544 from the labor force, resulting in a total labor force of 229,654.

The year-over-year trend for October shows  lower labor force participation and an equal unemployment rate from one year ago.

October’s 3 percent unemployment rate in Minneapolis is .2 percent lower than the State of Minnesota, .1 percent lower than the seven county metro area, and 1.7 percent lower than the national average.

State Loses 12,500 Jobs in October

Minnesota employers eliminated 12,500 jobs in October, according to seasonally adjusted figures released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

Over the past year, Minnesota has gained 31,375 jobs, an increase of 1.1 percent. Employment nationally is up 1.6 percent over the past year.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Minnesota held steady at 4 percent in October. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.

In the Metropolitan Statistical Areas, the following regions gained jobs in the past 12 months: Minneapolis-St. Paul MSA (up 1.4 percent), Rochester MSA (up 2.6 percent), St. Cloud MSA (up 1.8 percent) and Mankato MSA (up 0.4 percent). The Duluth-Superior MSA was down 0.1 percent.

Read the whole report. 

Partner Profile: Pillsbury United Communities

Pillsbury United Communities (PUC) works in partnership with City of Minneapolis Employment and Training to offer results driven employment services for Minneapolis Works and Minneapolis Youth Works. These services include work readiness, and job placement and retention assistance that includes career planning, resume development, and interviewing practice.

Client services emphasize relationship-building by offering one to one job counseling and assistance in community centers with deep roots in the neighborhoods of north and south Minneapolis.

The agency also offers a successful Culinary Arts Training program, where participants receive training in a licensed kitchen under the direction of qualified chefs. Participants in this track also receive the industry recognized ServSafe Food Handler’s Certificate.

In 2015, PUC won the Best Community Impact Award from the United Way and the STEP UP Employer of the Year Award.

Below: Chanda Smith Baker, President and CEO, Pillsbury United Communities, accepts the 2015 STEP-UP Employer of the Year Award from Mayor Hodges.  

Minneapolis Services to Adults Conference

On November 9, 2016, Minneapolis Employment and Training hosted the annual Minneapolis Services to Adults Conference targeted to employment and training service providers who work with adults (including young adults ages 18-24) in the programs funded by Minneapolis Works, Minneapolis Youth Works, Train-to-Career, Dislocated Worker and WIOA Adult. Organizations that have applied to become eligible providers were also invited.

Approximately 120 conference participants networked, learned, shared, and grew as professionals.

Minneapolis Workforce Development Board Chair Laura Beeth gave the welcome address on behalf of the Board, thanking attendees for the important work they do to help move Minneapolis job seekers into career pathways that lead to living wage jobs.

Andre Koen, a local leader in workforce diversity and cultural inclusion, gave the keynote presentation.

Breakout sessions covered:

• 800 West Broadway
• Working with Ex-Offenders
• Creating Effective Resumes & Cover Letters
• Budgeting
• B-TAP: City of Minneapolis Business Technical Assistance Program
• Labor Market Information
• Career 101s:  Healthcare, IT, and other In-Demand Occupations
• Job Placement: Entry, Transition & Advancement
• Assessments and Career Exploration Tools
• Disability Awareness

Exhibitors from 14 sectors, from Apprenticeships to Vocational Rehab, offered resources that conference participants can share and use with their clients.  

Below: 800 West Broadway breakout session panelists Naima Bashir (North Point), Leona Martin (DEED), and Leslie Lewandowksi (MPS)

Education and Workforce Partners Join Forces to Serve Students and Job Seekers

800 West Broadway is a collaborate center, bringing workforce services, education and healthcare together all under one roof.  MPS (Minneapolis Public Schools), North Point Health and Wellness, and the Minneapolis North WorkForce Center are the building anchors that will connect residents (mostly from north Minneapolis) to education, health and employment opportunities.

The center will be an innovative, academic focused job center providing accredited classes, state of the art training and certifications, along with medical and dental services to help its guests achieve gainful employment.

MPS is currently in the center serving non-traditional learners with a focus on students who have left high school before earning their diploma or who are at risk for leaving high school. Among its many offerings, MPS will have certificate programs in:

• Health Care Core
• Business Communications and Technology Essentials
• Translation

The Minneapolis North WorkForce Center will join the center in December 2016 to deliver:

• Services for dislocated workers, veterans, MFIP participants, and people with disabilities
• Employment search assistance including workshops and trainings
• On-site hiring events
• Youth programming

North Point will arrive in early 2017 to provide:

• Medical and dental services
• Chemical dependency and behavioral health services

Join us for a grand opening in early 2017. 

Artist rendering of 800 West Broadway

Eager IT Career Seekers Attend IT Training Expo

On November 15, over 100 people attended the 2nd annual IT Career and Training Expo hosted by City of Minneapolis Employment and Training in partnership with Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and Hennepin County.

The Expo began with an IT Industry Panel composed of industry leaders from Excel Energy, State of Minnesota and SciTechsperience. The panelists shared insider tips and answered audience questions about industry trends, in-demand skills, and how to enter careers in IT across industry sectors and professional levels.

Expo attendees interested in entering the tech field had opportunities to meet local IT training providers to learn about educational opportunities.

Employers like the State of Minnesota, the City of Minneapolis, and private companies attended the Expo to connect with great potential employees.

A pre-Expo workshop (IT Career 101) was held at the Minneapolis South WorkForce Center on November 7 to help Expo participants learn about IT careers, research companies, and prepare resumes.

Learn about TechHire, the City of Minneapolis initiative to close the workforce skills gap in the high tech economy by building a path for diverse workers to access training, support and tech jobs. 

Give PEACE a Chance

City of Minneapolis Employment and Training was awarded $500,000 by the U.S. Department of Labor to develop and implement a program to provide pathways for students into justice and emergency services careers. The program, called PEACE (Pathways to Emergency & Academy Career Experiences), gives students a variety of hands-on ways to learn about those careers through:

• Mini-academies designed to be engaging and offer a real-world perspective.
• Mentoring by a professional from the industry.
• Working in paid summer internships in one of the career fields.

In partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools, students will be supported throughout the program by a Check & Connect case manager who will keep them on track toward graduation and help guide them in their next education or training steps.

Other partners include the Minneapolis Police, Fire, and City Attorney’s departments, Hennepin County Medical Center, and several departments within Hennepin County.

ShaVonda Allen has been hired by Minneapolis Employment and Training to manage this exciting opportunity offering students meaningful and realistic opportunities to launch careers in the justice and emergency service industries.   

See the Flyer.