Senior White House Advisor Tom Perez meets with young adults enrolled in Ramsey County’s paid job training program Learn and Earn
Saint Paul, MN (Nov. 30, 2023) – Today, as part of his visit to Ramsey County for the National Association of Counties Fall Board Meeting, Senior White House Advisor Tom Perez met with young adults living in Ramsey County to hear first-hand the employment and training barriers they experienced during and since the COVID-19 pandemic and to learn how, with investments from the Biden-Harris Administration, the county and city of Saint Paul have been able to address these challenges with innovative, new paid workforce programs.
"President Biden believes that every American—whether they go to college or not—should have equitable access to high-quality training, education, and services that provide a path to a good career," said Senior White House Advisor Tom Perez. "I’m proud of how Ramsey County leveraged investments in the American Rescue Plan to empower the young people joining our nation’s workforce. Programs like Learn and Earn broaden access to good-paying, family-sustaining jobs — and they bring us a step closer to realizing this country’s full potential."
Joining Perez for the roundtable discussion were leaders from Ramsey County and the city of Saint Paul along with workforce partners offering the new Learn and Earn training programs.
“Youth in our communities have amazing potential and creative genius,” said National Association of Counties President and Ramsey County Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire. “Direct funding through the American Rescue Plan Act is making it possible for Ramsey County to work with community-based providers to make investments in our future workforce that are empowering youth and ensuring our economic vitality.”
Ramsey County and the city of Saint Paul committed to a co-investment of a combined $23 million in funding from the Biden-Harris Administration's American Rescue Act (ARPA) to launch Learn and Earn programming to provide young adults ages 18-30 in Ramsey County who are low-income or experiencing employment barriers with paid job training.
Learn and Earn investments were co-designed with young people under 30 living in Ramsey County who were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and other historic disparities. Through community engagement, the county and city heard over and over that one of the largest barriers faced by young people was the need to continue to earn income while enrolled in any educational or training program. This feedback resulted in investments toward training stipends and other holistic supports. By providing financial compensation for time spent in the program, participants could focus on learning and be less burdened by potential income lost by not working while participating in the program. Ensuring the training was setting participants up for in-demand careers that provide a family-sustaining wage was another critical component to ensuring a successful program.
“Growing up I didn’t have the resources in the community that I lived in," said Hailie Woodard, Learn and Earn program participant. “We should expand these programs and get more kids and more youth off the streets to become successful leaders in community because motivation is the key to success and that’s what keeps me thriving.”
Learn and Earn is currently provided through partnership with local community-based organizations providing paid career preparation programs with opportunities in fields including construction, green energy, entrepreneurship, healthcare, human services and information technology.
The complete list of Workforce Solutions community partners providing Learn and Earn programming include:
- African Economic Development Solutions.
- Asian Economic Development Association.
- Bridgemakers.
- Center for Energy & Environment.
- Goodwill Easter Seals.
- Hack the Gap.
- Merrick Community Service.
- Minnesota Training Partners.
- New Vision Foundation.
- Spark-Y.
- Tree Trust.
- Twin Cities R!se.
Each partner has a unique training program and application cycle for new program participants. Visit the Learn and Earn website to learn more about the individual training programs provided by these partners.
Watch roundtable discussion (Youtube)