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Ramsey County Workforce Investment Board

Past Accomplishments

The Ramsey County Workforce Investment Board’s 2009 strategic direction is aimed at enhancing the WIB’s ability to meet the needs of employers and job seekers in Ramsey County. Detailed below are the priorities and tactics defined for 2009, and the progress made throughout the year. 

I. Priority: The WIB will strengthen its role as a strategic leader in workforce development.

• Tactic: Evaluate workforce development programs for which the WIB provides oversight and develop an annual report to be distributed in the 2^nd Quarter of the following year.
  • Accomplishment: On April 15th, over 300 stakeholders, colleagues and local organizations received the 2008 WIB Annual Report which included updated design elements and logo.
  • Accomplishment:  The WIB reviewed the WIA Youth plan, WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs plans and plans for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds received by Workforce Solutions. 

   

• Tactic: Complete development of the WIB’s strategic plan, with action steps initiated by 3rd quarter 2009.  
  • Accomplishment: The WIB’s Strategic Plan was completed and approved by the WIB and the Ramsey County Board with next steps being formulated.
  • Accomplishment: The WIB’s 2010 annual planning process is incorporating tactics such as environmental scanning into the development of the 2010 plan.

   

§  Tactic: Position the WIB as a main point of contact for workforce development for State, Regional, County and City economic, business and workforce development partners. Keep the full WIB abreast of opportunities in these arenas.

o   Accomplishment: The WIB worked with the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce to arrange a United States Department of Labor Listening Session in Saint Paul. During the session, participants indentified benefits gained from and areas of improvement related to information generated by the workforce information system.

o   Accomplishment: The Education Committee continued work on establishing their focus and the inclusion of new members representing additional facets of education was approved.

o   Accomplishment: The WIB worked with Greater Metropolitan Workforce Council to identify collaboration opportunities in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

• Tactic: Develop and implement marketing efforts promoting WIB initiatives to increase public awareness of local workforce needs and resulting programs available, with initial marketing material out by 2nd quarter 2009.
  • Accomplishment: The WIB’s inaugural issue of Workforce Connections was distributed to members of the WIB, Youth Council, Education Committee and the Friends of the WIB, in addition to community stakeholders in June. The second issue of the WIB’s newsletter was distributed in September.

II. Priority: The WIB will utilize the FWIB’s 501(c) (3) status to secure funds, ensuring the WIB’s financial sustainability and enhancing the ability of community partners to meet emerging workforce needs.  

• Tactic: Implement the WIB’s Fund Development plan for 2009 with year one efforts completed by 4th quarter 2009.

  • Accomplishment: The 2009 Fund Development Campaign was initiated in October. Additionally, work continues on the WIB/County 2010-2011 Partnership Agreement with items under discussion including the roles of each organization and sustainable funding for WIB operations. 

   

• Tactic: Continue to locate funding to support the WIB Sector Initiatives, which trains jobseekers and incumbent workers for careers in high demand industries.

  • Accomplishment: The Friends of the WIB received a $25,000 grant on behalf of the WIB for the Healthcare Initiative from the Governor’s Workforce Development Council (GWDC). The initiative focuses on training individuals for the Medical Coding and Billing profession.

   

• Tactic: Continue exploration of sustainable funding for the Building Lives program, including completion of legislative request by 2nd quarter and foundation requests by 3rd quarter.
  • Accomplishment: An appropriation for the Building Lives program was signed into law within the Economic Development Omnibus bill, dedicating $100,000 in funding for each year of the biennium. Additionally, the Youth Council approved $91,000 of ARRA funding and Workforce Solutions moved forward with the $30,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation to advance the Building Lives program.

III. Priority: The WIB will actively engage in workforce opportunities, through local and regional collaborations, to meet the needs of employers and jobseekers in Ramsey County and beyond.

• Tactic: Continue collaboration with local healthcare systems to identify and address the workforce needs of the industry, with initial meetings completed by 1st quarter and funding requests by completed by 2nd quarter. 

o   Accomplishment: The WIB’s Healthcare Initiative, focusing on local healthcare systems and their workforce needs, received a $25,000 grant for Collaborative Local Projects through the Governors Workforce Development Council. Convening local workforce partners, healthcare employers, and education institutions to address this need, the curriculum was developed and is being administered by Saint Paul College in conjunction with Saint Paul Public Schools Adult Basic Education. 19 students began the training in the field of Medical Coding and Billing in November.

• Tactic: Collaborate with regional partners and professional organizations to develop and implement coordinated workforce and economic development efforts, keeping the WIB informed of challenges and opportunities.
  • Accomplishment: The WIB participated in regional and local responses to Department of Labor Requests for Proposals for ARRA grants approving support of five grants with active participation in two. Responses to applications are expected by year end.
  • Accomplishment: The WIB submitted the 2009 Local Plan to DEED which outlines how the WIB allocates WIA Title I funds as well as other funding to meet the needs of employers and jobseekers in Ramsey County.
  • Accomplishment: Building on the 2008 findings, the Tri-WIB initiative with Dakota-Scott and Washington County WIBs focused on educating students in career opportunities in the healthcare field.

   

• Tactic: Continue collaboration with various state and local business services staff to more efficiently serve the WIB’s customers and sustain economic growth in Ramsey County.
  • Accomplishment: Continuing efforts from the 2008 initiative, the Metropolitan Manufacturing Sector Initiative partners strategized on how to meet manufacturers’ needs in the current economy.