Workforce Development Board news and updates
Message from the chair
It is a busy time of year for many of us and there are many things happening in workforce development this month. However, we start off our newsletter with a recap of last year's activity in Minneapolis with the release of the 2023 Annual Report.
Additional highlight of this edition include:
- a short survey on AI;
- ways to help skill up your employees;
- a snapshot of the workforce landscape; and
- a workforce program success.
Also this month, Mayor Frey will be joining us as we recognize the contributions of workforce board members whose terms are ending with a brief event at the beginning of our next meeting. Please join us on May 21, hosted at the Minneapolis CareerForce North location at 800 W Broadway.
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2023 Annual Report
Just released! In 2023, nearly 10,500 Minneapolis residents received employment and training services through programs Minneapolis Employment and Training and the Minneapolis Workforce Development Board oversee and support. These programs focus on the communities and populations with the greatest need, especially our BIPOC residents.
Visit the City of Minneapolis Employment and Training website to download the full report by clicking here.
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 Technology continues to be a growing and changing field. We use tech for everything from sending our emails and joining our conference calls to paying our bills and ordering our lunch. As artificial intelligence is moving from science fiction into our day-to-day lives, there is a curiosity around how it is impacting the workforce of today and tomorrow. We would like to hear your thoughts on AI and its impacts. Please take a few minutes to answer our quick survey here.
Help for employers to train workers
Do you need help training or upskilling your employees? Programs are available to help!
Talent Development Program
Businesses have a new tool help offset a portion of the costs to train their employees. The Talent Development Program is a business-driven funding assistance resource for qualifying Minnesota employers to provide skills training to full-time, permanent employees. Training could be in technical or business skills that helps the employers improve their processes and competitiveness and/or avert a layoff. For more information, contact Tim Beaver at timothy.beaver@minneapolismn.gov.
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Apprenticeship
This model helps provide a structured opportunity for employees to gain skills and experience, learning in the classroom and on the job. Apprenticeships benefit workers by providing a clear pathway with paid work as they build skills and results in an industry-recognized credential. For employers, you are building your own pipeline of workers that are becoming training in the skills you need.
The new, first in state Apprenticeship Outreach Office will be opening soon at the north Minneapolis comprehensive CareerForce Center location, which will help workers prepare for and access apprenticeship opportunities.
To find out how to register an apprenticeship for your business, visit the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry website here.
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) funding
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) provides funding to help businesses offset training-related expenses through MJSP grants. One of these grants is the MJSP Partnership Grant. This grant funds up to $400,000 to educational Institutions that partner with Minnesota businesses to develop new-job training or retraining for existing employees. Businesses must partner with an accredited Minnesota educational institution. Find out more and apply for funding at mn.gov/deed/mjsp.
 Minnesota posts fourth straight month of job growth; labor force also grows
Minnesota employers added jobs for the fourth straight month, up 3,900 jobs from March to April on a seasonally adjusted basis, with the private sector gaining 5,500 jobs, according to information released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota has gained jobs 10 out of the last 12 months.
Minnesota’s labor force increased by 3,710 people over the month and the labor force participation rate stayed at 68.0%. Minnesota’s unemployment rate also remained steady at 2.7%, where it’s held for six months. Nationally, the unemployment rate ticked up one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.9% and the labor force participation rate stayed at 62.7%.
“The numbers released today reinforce that Minnesota’s economy remains strong,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “Continued job growth and labor force growth are excellent indicators for Minnesota. We’ll continue to focus on making Minnesota a great place to work, live and raise a family.”
Minnesota outpaced the nation in private sector job growth over the month. Minnesota was up 0.1% over the month in overall job growth and up 0.2% in private sector job growth. The U.S. total nonfarm employment increased by 0.1% and the U.S. private sector was also up 0.1%.
Over the month, seven supersectors in Minnesota gained jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis. The top gainers were Financial Activities up 1,800 jobs, Manufacturing up 1,300 jobs and Construction up 1,100 jobs. Four supersectors lost jobs over the month, with the biggest decline in Government, down 1,600 jobs.
"We usually see about half of Minnesota's supersectors lose jobs and the other half gains jobs each month," said DEED's Labor Market Information Director Angelina Nguyễn. “It’s a positive indicator that in April we saw more supersectors gain rather than lose jobs.”
Over the year, Minnesota gained 44,507 payroll jobs, up 1.5%. The private sector gained 23,889 jobs, up 0.9% over the year. Seven supersectors posted positive annual growth, with Education & Health Services seeing the biggest growth, up 25,018 jobs and Government next, up 20,618 jobs. Four supersectors lost jobs over the year, with Professional & Business Services seeing the biggest decline, down 10,196 jobs. Overall U.S. employment grew 1.8% over the year with the private sector up 1.7%. All U.S. supersectors saw job growth over the year except Information.
Regionally, job growth in the Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) continued its strong streak, with over the year growth of 4,357 jobs, up 3.5%. The Minneapolis-St. Paul MSA had the biggest job growth by numbers, up 21,168 jobs or 1.1% over the year.
Average hourly wages for all private sector workers in Minnesota increased 33 cents over the month to $37.13 in April. Over the year average hourly earnings increased $1.25, up 3.5%, slightly outpacing inflation. The Consumer Price Index, a common measure of inflation, was up 3.4% over the year in April.
Highlight: EMERGE Manufacturing & Metal Fabrication
Minneapolis Employment and Training partners with nonprofits to help residents get employed. One partner is EMERGE Community Development. EMERGE has a long history of helping Minneapolis residents prepare for and secure jobs in high-demand fields. Helping individuals with prior justice involvement can be a challenge. Yet, EMERGE has developed a program in manufacturing that is succeeding. The Manufacturing and Metal Fabrication program trains people on the tools and equipment used in manufacturing. Graduates receive an OSHA 10 certification and a certificate of completion from Hennepin Technical College. Recently, EMERGE added a second level of training. CNC machining is in high demand and can lead to higher-paying wages.
After completing the first level course and finding a good job at a local company, Tony went back to EMERGE to take the CNC machining course. Due to his work schedule, he was able to keep working while training for this next level. Tony praises all the staff who have supported him through this process. The education he received will be very helpful to his career path. But, Tony thinks the networking and education that he was able to gain through this process is key to future success. Through the program, he now has references to add to his resume. With new skills and references, Tony is looking forward to the next steps in his career. For more information on EMERGE’s career training, visit their website at https://emerge-mn.org/career-training.
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Recognizing Minneapolis Workforce Development Board members for their service
At the May board meeting, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will be attending to help recognize those members of the Minneapolis Workforce Development Board who will not be renewing their terms this July. In special recognition of her long tenure as a board member, past chair and her leadership to advance workforce development at the state and national level, Mayor Frey will be presenting Laura Beeth with a mayoral proclamation.
May 2024 meeting
Minneapolis Workforce Development Board
Tuesday, May 21, 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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