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November is Apprenticeship Recognition Month
In addition to this week being National Apprenticeship Week (November 13 – 17), Governor Walz has proclaimed this month as being Apprenticeship Recognition Month. We have several exciting announcements and events to showcase the benefits of this long-standing workforce development model, including an apprenticeship employer panel presentation held at the CareerForce North Minneapolis.
As we are wrapping up the year, we are faced with the reality of a shrinking workforce. The demographic trends show larger numbers getting ready to age out of the workforce and fewer youth entering the workforce to replace them. We need to focus on ways to tap into under-utilized pools of talent (such as those with disabilities) and expand on proven models to provide the skills and experience needed to help our economy thrive. Please join us at the events below, including our Minneapolis Workforce Development Board meeting, to learn more.
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Announcing the
Minneapolis Apprenticeship Outreach Office
Coming soon! A new Office of Apprenticeship Outreach will be located at 800 West Broadway. Beginning in 2024, this first-in-state office will combine the expertise and resources of CareerForce, locally funded workforce programs, and Minnesota’s Department of Labor and Industry to outreach, educate and connect the community to registered apprenticeship opportunities. Learn more on the CareerForce website here.
 Apprenticeship Update and Panel Presentation Event
A new, first-in-state Office of Apprenticeship Outreach was announced at an apprenticeship-focused event on November 14th held by the City of Minneapolis Employment and Training and the Minneapolis Workforce Development Board, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. This Office will operate out of the North Minneapolis CareerForce as a community resource for individuals interested in exploring and connecting to apprenticeship opportunities. During the event, a panel discussed the benefits of apprenticeship, including good wages, skill building, career advancement and work/life balance for apprentices. Employers also enjoy the benefit of building their own pipeline of skilled workers.
Apprenticeships are available in multiple, high-demand industries in Minneapolis and across the state. The new Office of Apprenticeship Outreach will help individuals young and old connect to apprenticeship opportunities where they can learn new skills and achieve a credential while earning a paycheck. For more information about this new office and apprenticeships, see the CareerForce blog post or join us for the next event (details below).
Apprenticeship Workshop
Join us for an Introduction to Registered Apprenticeship! Building Strong Communities is an apprenticeship preparatory program helping you explore and connect to registered apprenticeship. See the flyer for more details.
Building Strong Communities workshop
Wednesday, November 22, from 10:00 am - 11:30 am
CareerForce North Minneapolis, located at 800 W Broadway
Building Strong Communities mission is to provide women, people of color, and veterans with opportunities in the building and construction trades! Learn more at https://buildingstrong.org
New Resource for Employers
Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF)
Across Minnesota, people with disabilities are working in every kind of job. Some have adapted some part of their job so that it fits how they work with their specific disability.
In fact, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to pay for the cost of reasonable workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities. Now, a new fund from the State of Minnesota is reimbursing small and mid-sized Minnesota businesses for the cost of those accommodations.
The purpose of the new Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) is to remove any perceived or real financial barriers to hiring and retaining employees with disabilities. Also, for job seekers with disabilities, ERAF can take away some of the worry about applying for jobs and asking for needed accommodations.
A reasonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment that enables a person with a disability to do their job. Reasonable accommodations might include better lighting, a standing desk, ASL interpreting, specialized software, and lots more. A list of some common examples of accommodations can be found on the ERAF website.
The mission behind the ERAF is to empower Minnesotans with disabilities to work in a way that works for them. What’s more, it connects great Minnesota businesses with employees with disabilities who are ready, willing, and committed to demonstrate all they can do.
The ERAF website provides details on how the program works, eligibility requirements, and much more. The program coordinator, Ray McCoy is also available to answer any questions and guide employers through the simple reimbursement process. Ray can be reached at Ray.Mccoy@state.mn.us or by calling 651-539-2318.
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Minneapolis Workforce Development Board
September Meeting Recap
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On Tuesday, September 26th, the Minneapolis Workforce Development Board met at the CareerForce Center at 800 West Broadway Ave in North Minneapolis. Attendees heard employment and training program updates from city staff and took action on three important motions. The Board approved a motion to support a Memorandum of Understanding between One-Stop delivery system partners and the Minneapolis Workforce Board as they work together to strengthen the Minneapolis workforce and advance the employment opportunities for Minneapolis residents. The Board also approved a motion to support the first-in-state Apprenticeship Outreach Office at the North Minneapolis comprehensive CareerForce Center at 800 West Broadway and to support local hiring through an initiative encouraging companies to prioritize candidates from Minneapolis Employment and Training programs and partners.
To learn more about the Minneapolis Workforce Development Board, see the City’s Annual Report or visit https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Boards/mwdb. For more information on the City’s employment and training programs, visit the website at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/workforce-development/
November 2023 Meeting
Minneapolis Workforce Development Board
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
8:00 am - 9:30 am
North Minneapolis CareerForce
2nd Floor Conference Room
Minneapolis, MN 55441
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