2020 Program Report: Business Services

Workforce Solutions helps meet the workforce needs of local businesses by providing employee recruitment assistance. Business and industry partnerships are critical to the work we do. Valuable business and industry partnership activities include:

  • Posting jobs and reviewing Workforce Solutions’ candidate profiles to find job seekers with the right skill set.
  • Providing internships and work experiences for program-enrolled job seekers.
  • Participating on local workforce boards.
  • Partnering on training grants to secure a skilled workforce.
  • Hiring diverse participants to fill essential roles.

For more information on Ramsey County’s employer engagement activities, contact us at [email protected].

Bringing Job Fairs into the Virtual Space 

Ramsey County, in partnership with other metro area counties and the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, launched an interactive platform to hold virtual job fairs. The first event focused on apprenticeship and on-the-job training opportunities and welcomed 25 employers and 200 career seekers. Exhibitors and guests interacted directly inside the virtual event using live chat and video, webcasts, email messaging and resume exchange. 

“I’m thankful for the Metro Region Virtual Career Fair. We had some great interactions with participants and made one full-time hire! The staff was very helpful before and during the event to help make it a success. Looking forward to participating in more events in the future.” Melanie Lugo, HR Generalist at New Trax, Vadnais Heights. 

These top 10 employers hired 10 or more of our participants: 

M Health Fairview | Ramsey County | Target Corporation | United Home Healthcare | Buddy's Kitchen Inc. | Walmart Corp. | Amazon | Saint Paul Public Schools | Wells Fargo

Ramsey County Means Business

Ramsey County launched the new Job Connect online job board to connect residents and employers during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. This employment platform is the latest tool integrated within the county’s economic development website, RamseyCountyMeansBusiness.com, which provides business development resources and incentives.   

Created in collaboration with Ramsey County Chambers of Commerce, local economic development organizations and municipalities, the job board allows businesses to post current, local job opportunities and is free for all to use. Job Connect has many unique features, such as highlighting the major industries in Ramsey County and the ability to search for jobs by transit accessibility, keyword and location using an interactive map. The site also includes a training dashboard to connect job seekers to short-term education programs and a place to subscribe to the Job Seeker Connections newsletter.

Featured Employer: M Health Fairview 

M Health icon

 M Health Fairview provides health services across Ramsey County and throughout the region through its extensive network of hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. Since its merger with HealthEast in 2017 and its collaboration with the University of Minnesota in 2019, M Health Fairview has grown into one of the state’s largest healthcare systems and is a major local employer, with over 34,000 employees.

Like most healthcare providers, M Health Fairview experienced a shortage of qualified workers to fill essential roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. One position in very high demand was the Nursing Station Tech; the person that handles several critical functions such as maintaining patient charts, scheduling diagnostic tests, and transcribing doctor’s orders. M Health FairviewOnce the need for these workers was identified, a partnership between M Health Fairview, Saint Paul College and Workforce Solutions was quickly established. With CARES Act funding provided by Workforce Solutions, Saint Paul College created a three-week certification program, offered through a hybrid model, that resulted in 10 students, some current M Health Fairview employees, receiving their certification.

Tanya Velishek, Talent Acquisition Program Manager of Clinical Placement and Nursing Pathways and Workforce Innovation Board member, recognizes the value of these partnerships. “M Health Fairview is working diligently to develop current employees and offer opportunities for new staff. The ability to work with our community partners to identify talent is our future”.