Workforce
Ramsey County Inclusive Workforce Summit L-R: IC System Director of HR Rachel Scherer, VHEDC Executive Director Liz Moscatelli, Ehlers HR Director Joy VanderHeiden, Right4 Your Business Owner Cindy O’ Donovan, Ramsey County Commissioner Tara Jebens-Singh and Ramsey County Workforce Solutions Director Catrice O’ Neal.
Panel presentation at Ramsey County Inclusive Workforce Summit on January 29, 2025. Rachel Scherer, IC System in Vadnais Heights, was one of the panelists.
INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER PROGRAM AND WORKFORCE UPDATE
As 2025 got underway, it quickly became apparent that change is on the horizon, particularly when it comes to workforce matters. However, despite the federal government’ s shift away from Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, the practice remains a key part of the culture for businesses in the northeast metro.
In order to help employers learn about, connect to, and access workforce tools and resources that can help them implement innovative and effective workforce practices in their organizations that will increase inclusiveness, Ramsey County hosted an Inclusive Workforce Summit on January 29, 2025. About 180 people attended the event held at the Minnesota Science Museum in St. Paul.
The event began with a Top Workplaces Employer Panel moderated by Yolanda McIntosh, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Association of General Contractors and Chair-Elect of the Ramsey County Workforce Innovation Board. Panelists included Jessica Stone from Gardner Builders, Katie Palmer from Life Spark, Rachel
Scheer from IC System and Stephanie Kingslein from Myth Partners.
Topics discussed during the Question and Answer format included the following:
1) What strategies / programs has your organization implemented that reflect the greatest contribution to them being selected as a Top Employer?
2) How have the practiced strategies / programs impacted recruitment, productivity, and retention?
3) Can you provide some examples of policies, practices, and / or initiatives your organization developed as a result of your organization’ s interaction with employees or workers?
4) When your organization is unable to grant requests by employees, how is it handled? How have your employees responded?
5) Name one hard lesson your organization has learned along its journey towards becoming an Inclusive Top Employer.
6) What is a positive takeaway that your organization would like to share with the audience in terms of being an Inclusive employer?
After the panel discussion, attendees participated in breakout sessions, which included discussions on skills-based hiring, youth development, disability awareness for employers and creative employee benefits.
Attendees also had the opportunity to check out the Science Museum’ s exhibit,“ Race: Are We So Different?” which teaches people about the history of systemic racial injustice and the myths that continue to uphold racism. Plus, there were exhibitor tables to visit.
The event sponsors included CareerForce- DEED, Minnesota Technology Association-SciTech, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions, the State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development( ERAF) and VHEDC.
14 Northeast Metro Business