Message from the chair

November is Apprenticeship Month in Minnesota—a time to celebrate the power of "earn while you learn". Apprenticeships open doors across industries like healthcare, technology, and the trades, helping people gain hands-on experience while building lasting careers. They also help employers grow the skilled workforce needed for the future.

Our city staff continues to promote skills-based hiring, encouraging employers to look beyond degrees and recognize the experience and potential each person brings. This approach helps create a more inclusive workforce that reflects the strength and diversity of our city.

We also recognize that many families are feeling the impact of federal cuts to SNAP/EBT benefits, leaving some struggling to meet their food needs. If you or someone you know needs food support, read the article below for links to local food shelves, community meal programs, and assistance resources.

Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more resilient Minneapolis workforce that can thrive in a changing economy. 

In partnership,

Dr. Tara Watson

Chair, Minneapolis Workforce Development Board

As of November 1, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which provides food-purchasing assistance to low-income individuals and families was delayed. Many still need help to get enough food on the table.

If you or someone you know needs help, find links to local resources below:

• Feeding America has many resources to help you with free and discounted food 
• Hennepin County Food Resource Map shows food resources on a map of Hennepin County
• Fare for All is a pop up grocery store selling fresh and frozen food at 40% off retail prices
• Hennepin Waypoint helps people locate food, shelter and other resources
• The Salvation Army provides free Thanksgiving meals at a number of sites in the Twin Cities
• Loaves and Fishes serves meals in many Twin Cities locations. Most meals are in to-go containers, unless otherwise noted
• The United Way has many resources. Go to their website, call 2-1-1 for food resources, or text your zip code to 898-211*

CareerForce is Minnesota's official career exploration and job search resource. T

This year CareerForce surveyed employment counselors across the state. We wanted to know how job seekers are doing finding jobs. After the survey closed on July 31, responses were tallied . The result? The majority (59%) said this year was somewhat harder or much harder for job seekers to find employment compared to last year.

Read the full article on the CareerForce website. See which roles were easier for Minnesotans to land and which were harder.

• As a state, metro, and city, great strides have been made but shifts at the federal level have devastated black and brown communities.
• In particular, Black women have been disproportionately impacted by federal layoffs, DOGE cuts, and cancelling of federal grants.
• Outside of Covid, the last time the Black unemployment rate was that high was in 2017.
• The BIPOC unemployment rate is more volatile compared to the white, non-Hispanic populations. This could be partially due to the size of the population and racial/ethnic structural inequalities in the labor market.
• Investments in human capital development, coupled with strong labor market trends, have produced periods of unemployment parity between white, non-Hispanic and BIPOC workers.
• So far in 2025, labor force participation rates for the state’s Black (75.8%), Asian (69.9%), and Hispanic (79.5%) populations has been higher than the white population (68.0%)

Apprenticeship Spotlight event

Hosted by Minneapolis Public Schools Career and Technical Education, this event highlights the opportunities and benefits of registered apprenticeship.

Wednesday, November 19, 4-6 p.m.

North Tech Center

1500 James Ave N, Minneapolis 55411

The event starts at 4 p.m. with refreshments. Apprentices, sponsors, the Minneapolis Apprenticeship Outreach Office, and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry will be on hand to provide more information and answer questions on registered apprenticeship.

See the flyer for more details.

Apprenticeship is a great way to learn a new job while earning a paycheck!

Located in the CareerForce Minneapolis North (800 W. Broadway Ave.) the Minneapolis Apprenticeship Outreach Office provides information and guidance to job seekers. In addition to opportunities in the trades, registered apprenticeships are available across multiple industries.

To learn more, join the next monthly Apprenticeship 101 workshop in person at CareerForce or register to attend online.