Workforce News

Thank you for attending the 2025 Inclusive Workforce Summit

31 January 2025

Thank you for attending Ramsey County's 2025 Inclusive Workforce Summit!

We hope you found the session information, resources and networking opportunities to be valuable for implementing innovative and effective workforce practices to increase inclusiveness in your organization.

The presentation slide decks from all the sessions are linked below.

Summit Opening Session and Top Workplaces Panel: Facilitated by Yolanda McIntosh, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Associated General Contractors of MN and Chair-Elect of the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County. Top Workplaces panelists: Jessica Stoe (jessicas@gardner-builders.com) - Gardner Builders , Rachel Scherer (rscherer@icsystem.com) - IC System , Katie Palmer (kpalmer@lifespark.com) - Life Spark.
Minnesota Skills-Based Hiring Accelerator for Employers: The Minnesota Skills-Based Hiring Accelerator is a nationally recognized design that has served employers from across all industries in adopting a competency and skills-based approach to aid in attracting, retaining, and promoting quality talent
Presenter: Allen Mavis, M.Ed, Workforce Development Training Coordinator Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota
Youth Development: The Science Museum of Minnesota's Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center (KAYSC) and TRANE Technologies shared their approach to STEM focused youth workforce development. TRANE and the KAYSC have been collaborating on a project that increases youth knowledge, skills and credentials in the areas of Climate Change, Climate Solutions, and Food Security. The project also incorporates the Science Museum of Minnesota's adult professional development opportunities for TRANE's employees. The result is a program that creates skill development opportunities for underrepresented youth while preparing employers for the workforce of the future.
Presenters: Thulani Jwaca, Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center Director - Science Museum of Minnesota; Thomas Huberty, Strategic Energy Solutions Advisor, TRANE Technologies; and Joseph Adamji, Senior Director Center for Equity and Systems Change, Science Museum of Minnesota
Disability Awareness for Employers: Important learning for business owners, hiring managers, and supervisors. Topics include recruiting and hiring best practices, benefits of hiring people with disabilities, ADA regulatory considerations, and partnering with local rehabilitation providers to tap a talented workforce. There was also information about the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF).
Presenters: Randy Bloom MSS, Business and Community Partnership Specialist and Ray McCoy, Program Coordinator, Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Creative Employee Benefits: Do your employees feel taken care of? With healthcare and benefit trends in mind, explore a framework to prioritize your total rewards initiatives, ensuring your program aligns with organizational goals, employee needs, and your budget. Learn about specific benefits such as financial education services and resources for child care that can be helpful for building the success of your workforce.
Presenters: Cindy O’Donovan, Owner, Right4 Your Business; BJ McAndrew, Employee Benefits Consultant, Cottingham & Butler; Kim Miller, Sr. Program Manager, Partnerships and Financial Education, Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota; and Sara Hagen, Community Child Care Coordinator, United Way of Central Minnesota
Science Museum of Minnesota- Race: Are We So Different? Mini Exhibit: Facilitated discussion and exhibit experience. The IDEAL Center facilitates groups visiting, learning from, and having impactful discussions based on the RACE: Are We So Different? exhibition — the Science Museum of Minnesota’s permanent exhibition on learning about the history of systemic racial injustice and the myths that continue to uphold racism
Presenters: Aki Shibata, Science Museum of MN

The event program included a list of the workforce resource and training organizations who tabled at the Summit. Additional details about each organization, including their contact information can be found here.