7/12/2022 2:10:03 PM
Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Assistant Commissioner Anisa Hajimumin
At this month's forum, speakers shared information and resources for immigrant and refugee community members on a variety of important topics. This included DEED's new Office of Public Engagement, hiring opportunities, an overview of the New American Task Force and more.
DEED's Maureen Ramirez shared information on the recently announced Office of Public Engagement that she will lead. The office will focus on targeted outreach and engagement efforts to make DEED's programs more accessible to all Minnesotans. Specifically, it will connect with populations in Minnesota hit hardest by racial and other disparities in employment – including gender, sexual orientation, geography, race/ethnicity, national origin, color, disability, age, or other protected groups. The office will bring together many of DEED's outreach efforts under one division with plans to grow the number of staff dedicated to this work.
The new Office of Public Engagement is committed to helping create equitable communities and economic opportunities and will tailor its statewide outreach and engagement efforts based on different community strengths around the state. For example, this summer, DEED staff have participated in community festivals in the Twin Cities, as well as tribal consultations in Greater Minnesota, and visits to local businesses statewide.
DEED's Office of Public Engagement can be reached at 651-356-5423 or askDEED@state.mn.us.
Ken Kuwamura Jr. from Union Pacific shared information on the many available jobs they are hoping to fill in Minnesota. Union Pacific Corporation is one of America's leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, is North America's premier railroad franchise, covering 23 states across the western two-thirds of the United States. They currently have 90 open positions in Minnesota across many different departments including operations, corporate relations, accounting, marketing, technology, supply chain, law enforcement and more. Job candidates need to be U.S. citizens or authorized to work in the U.S. and have a valid driver's license to apply. You can visit up.jobs to find more information on Union Pacific's current job openings.
Ben Baglio, Director of the Governor's Workforce Development Board (GWDB) gave an overview on the GWDB and their New American Task Force. The Governor's Workforce Development Board was created in 2014 under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and provides leadership on key workforce strategies for the state. The board consists of forty-one members who represent different sectors in business and industry, community-based organizations, education, local government, organized labor, state agencies, and the state legislature.
Recently, they've created the New Americans Task Force to identify issues impacting New Americans and their communities related to workforce – including education, training and overall economic opportunity. With this task force they hope to identify opportunities to better meet the needs of New Americans and employers. Currently they are compiling recommendations from community organizations, partners and other stakeholders. If you have specific recommendations you would like to have considered, please fill out their form by Friday, July 29.
Recently, DEED announced the grant recipients of the Internationally Trained Professionals Competitive Grant Program to help fill in-demand health care positions. This program helps internationally trained health care workers earn the professional licenses required to do similar work in Minnesota. CAPI USA was one of the seven organizations that were awarded funds to assist internationally trained health care professionals in gaining licensure. With this grant, they plan to serve 50 eligible professionals in the next year. Enrollment for the program will begin in the next few months. If you have questions or referrals for this program, please contact Dawn Wambeke at 612-767-3676 or dawn.wambeke@capiusa.org.
If you missed this month's forum, watch the discussion on DEED's YouTube channel.
immigrants and refugees
communities
