DEED Commissioner, GWDB and MAWB Chairs offer Welcome to CareerForce

MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota’s workforce system has a new name: CareerForce. This name change is a transition for Minnesota’s workforce system, bringing multiple partners under the single unified CareerForce brand.

CareerForce is a collaborative partnership between the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the Governor’s Workforce Development Board (GWDB) and the Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards (MAWB). CareerForce is made up of hundreds of DEED staff, nonprofit partners and business leaders throughout Minnesota. Employers and career seekers can get help in person, on the phone and online at CareerForceMN.com.

The public rollout of CareerForce marks the beginning of a recommitment to enhanced employer service throughout Minnesota, a pledge to put equity at the center of all efforts and a renewed focus on meeting employers and career seekers where they are and provide them with the tailored services they need.

DEED Commissioner Steve Grove, GWDB chair Laura Beeth and MAWB Chair Shirley Barnes shared the vision for CareerForce at a rollout event on September 17 at CareerForce in Minneapolis - North at 800 West Broadway.

“Today’s CareerForce rollout marks the beginning of efforts to leverage technology and innovation to serve Minnesota employers and career seekers in new ways,” said Commissioner Grove. “We know our state’s businesses are struggling to find and retain workers and that many Minnesotans face challenges in finding the right work. The investments we’re making in CareerForce will help us better meet the changing needs of Minnesota’s career seekers and employers.”

“Coming together under the CareerForce name will make Minnesota’s workforce system even more robust. Working better together will help us prepare and connect more workers with careers that sustain families and strengthen communities,” said Shirley Barnes, MAWB chair. “And it will help Minnesota employers find the employees they need to grow their businesses and keep Minnesota’s economy strong.”

“Putting equity at the center of everything we do is a core value of CareerForce,” said Laura Beeth, GWDB chair. “We’re working together to ensure that CareerForce meets the needs of all Minnesota career seekers by reducing employment opportunity disparities for our fellow Minnesotans who have been left behind during these times of general economic growth.”

Local employers, business and community leaders, including state legislators and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, attended the rollout event at CareerForce in Minneapolis North. Attendees learned more about CareerForce, got a chance to speak with CareerForce leaders and staff, and were invited to stay for career preparation activities and a career and community resource fair at the location throughout the day.

“As an employer in in the northwest metro, I rely on the dedicated staff at CareerForce,” said Mike Pretzel, HR Manager at LSC Communications. “In today’s tight labor market, I need their help to find the skilled employees our business needs. CareerForce helps me with no-fee online job posting, hiring events, a workforce strategy consultant to assist in planning for immediate and future workforce needs and even customized labor market information and analysis.”

“I first utilized Minnesota’s workforce system as someone looking for work,” said Cheemika Jenkins, founder of Sincere Home Care. “Now, as an employer who is always looking for additional home health care workers, I rely on CareerForce to help connect me with the right employees.”

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DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. More info: https://mn.gov/deed/.

GWDB has a responsibility to advise the Governor on Minnesota’s workforce system. The Board represents key leaders from business, education, labor, community-based organizations and government. The Board provides a venue for workforce stakeholders to build on a shared vision and mission. More info: https://mn.gov/deed/gwdb/.

MAWB represents the local employment and training system responsible for delivering services to employers and career seekers across the state. Each of Minnesota’s sixteen workforce development areas has a workforce board, appointed by local elected officials, which provides leadership and strategic direction for investments tailored to meet the specific needs of their communities. More info: http://mawb-mn.org/.

Find out more about CareerForce at CareerForceMN.com.