 As the City adjusts to providing services virtually and remotely, our workforce system remains strong and continues to help people find employment, even in this uncertain era of Covid-19. Essential employers are still hiring and critical workers are still in need of employment.
Virtual and interactive career services are now accessible everywhere and available in multiple languages, connecting career seekers and employers to opportunities and up-to-date hiring resources. Whether it is online resume review, individual training on LinkedIn, or career counseling, services are available for career seekers and employers. Visit CareerForce for a full listing of Minneapolis career service providers.
City of Minneapolis training partners have also quickly transitioned to support career seekers with virtual job fairs and information sessions featuring on-line, skilled training opportunities. In the tech sector, MSP TechHire partners highlighted their IT training available with Launch Your Tech Career, a virtual information session for job seekers and workforce professionals to learn more about available online training. Employers are encouraged to list their job openings with MinnesotaWorks. Workers impacted by Covid-19 are encouraged to view updated Unemployment Insurance information.
The Step Up program is still planning another wonderful summer of experiences for Minneapolis youth. We continue to plan for and adjust the Step Up summer model as we adapt to the changing work environment and social distancing guidelines. Summer opportunities will include some work experiences and online training.
Visit the City of Minneapolis’ Coronavirus Update page for current resources for community, workers and businesses. Additionally, view Worker Resources. Information and resources will be updated frequently so feel free to check back to these pages and share with others.
Minnesota’s Senior Care Providers are in critical need of workers. On May 11, all are welcome to attend a Senior Care Virtual Career Event. Learn about the positions and skills needed today in the facilities serving Minnesota’s older adults. Participants will hear from Minnesota’s two leading senior care industry associations, Care Providers of Minnesota and LeadingAge Minnesota. These industry associations will be showcasing a new tool for people who are looking to get started in Senior Care careers.
In addition, five large, statewide employers – Cassia, Ebenezer Care, Ecumen, Monarch and Presbyterian Homes - will highlight their openings, introduce career seekers to their hiring process, field questions and answers, and host follow-up conversations immediately following the event. All those interested in beginning or continuing a rewarding career working with older adults are encouraged to attend.
The event on Monday, May 11 from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. kicks off a full week of health care-related events throughout the state of MN. Registration is now open for the Senior Care Virtual Career Event online, through Minnesota Works. Please direct questions to Marie Larson, at marie.larson@minneapolismn.gov.
COVID-19 is not holding back the Building Strong Communities (BSC) initiative, an apprenticeship preparatory program to prepare 50 individuals for a registered apprenticeship in the construction trades. BSC was able to move the first 50 hours of Multi Core Craft curriculum online and mailed a tape measure to each student to complete the math section.
BSC is a collaboration between the building trades, community-based organizations, and multiple funders including the City of Minneapolis. The eight-week program provides union-developed training, support services, and career and industry exposure. Six community partners were selected to reach out to communities under-represented in the building trades and support applicants through the program and their first year of apprenticeship.
The City of Minneapolis Employment and Training has partnered with EMERGE Community Development to connect residents of the Cedar Riverside community to this opportunity. Between community outreach and info sessions, EMERGE has filled their class and started ten individuals on their path to a new career in the trades. We are excited to follow the cohort through the program and on to their careers!
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has been releasing Unemployment Insurance Statistics on a weekly basis since March 16. This provides very up-to-date information on who has been impacted by the COIVD-19 pandemic and resulting economic slowdown.
UI Applications since March 15 – April 25, 2020:
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74,237 Minneapolis Residents filed for unemployment Insurance
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142,927 Hennepin County residents filed for unemployment insurance
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324,976 Twin Cities (seven county) residents filed for unemployment insurance
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593,810 Minnesota residents filed for unemployment insurance (up to 4/30/20)
DEED has made additional information available for Minneapolis. The tables below compares UI claims to the latest Minneapolis labor force data available (2018). The Difference % column reflects the percentage of UI claims relative to the 2018 labor force. For example, in 2018 27% of the labor force was 25-34, but 33.9% of UI claims have come from that age group. Initial claims were much higher for younger workers (25-34) though the difference is decreasing. This is likely correlated with the higher claims in the food service industry in March which has also decreased relative to other occupations. Initial data also shows disparities, in race with Black workers filing at a much higher rate.
 Figure 1 - Race and Ethnicity data does not include the categories "More than one race" and "Unknown".
 Figure 2 – The % Difference shows the relative impact on specific sectors vs. the total % of claims overall.
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