Workforce Development Board news and updates
Past, present and future
It’s still early in the year, but 2024 has been off to a good start. In this edition, we are recapping a celebration of success with of some of our employment service providers last month and reviewing the state of the state's workforce development.
Read below to discover how you can get involved in two current opportunities we have available:
- Pledge to host a Step Up intern this summer
- Apply for an open workforce board position.
And as always, I look forward to seeing you at our next Workforce Development Board meeting on March 19 hosted at the Minneapolis CareerForce North location at 800 W Broadway. See you there!
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2023 Promising Practices & Outstanding Innovation Awards
Each year Minneapolis Employment and Training recognizes the great work of our community partners in delivering workforce development services to Minneapolis youth and adult job seekers. This year we recognized two outstanding organizations – YWCA Minneapolis and Pillsbury United Communities – at an event where Mayor Frey presented proclamations to both organizations.
February 13, 2024, YWCA Minneapolis was recognized for promising practices because of its early childhood education workforce development program. This program was the first of its kind in the state. New immigrants and people of color gain assistance in obtaining their child development associate credential and launching their careers in this high demand field.
Pillsbury United Communities (PUC) was also recognized for outstanding innovation with its hair care stylist workforce development program. In this program, PUC partners with the Natural Hair Care Institute and Taylor'd Cosmetology to train young people of color in building skills in natural hair care and braiding, where there is high demand and limited resources available. Students earn a vocational certificate in hair styling by the Office of Higher Education.
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Minnesota's state of workforce
You may have seen some recent news that the unemployment rate across the country rose to 3.9 percent in February, but the economy added 275,000 more jobs -- higher than expected. In Minnesota, our unemployment rate remained at 2.7%, and we have seen job growth as well with a trend of adding jobs for nine out of the previous twelve months (through January). For more information on the latest job numbers released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, visit their website.
Step Up: youth careers under construction
Minneapolis young people are already planning for summer! Over 3,000 Minneapolis youth submitted applications for the City of Minneapolis’ Step Up summer internship program this year. Summer internships help prepare youth for a variety of careers, like construction, health care and much more! If you would like to host or hire a Step Up intern at your you can find out more here.
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 Now accepting applications!
The Minneapolis Workforce Development Board (MWDB) is made up of 21 individuals who are appointed by the Mayor. Members serve three-year terms that are staggered to provide continuity. MWDB members are leaders and key decision-makers within their organizations and/or the community. They include business owners and executives as well as agency and program directors. They are people with the knowledge, influence, commitment and interest to envision, guide, and support positive action and outcomes in workforce development.
The application period is now open. Visit our website here and click on the Apply Now link on the right-hand side.
March 2024 meeting
Minneapolis Workforce Development Board
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
North Minneapolis CareerForce
2nd floor conference room
Minneapolis, MN 55441
DEED's Data Center
DEED on Twitter
CareerForce on Twitter
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