SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Senate Jobs Committee Chair Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis) said today that September has been declared “Workforce Development Month” in Minnesota by Governor Tim Walz, and he pointed to many new policies signed into law the past two years which will be key to preparing workers across Minnesota for in-demand jobs now and into the future.
“In a rapidly-changing economy, our state’s ability to compete globally depends on arming Minnesota’s work force with the skills and training necessary to not only fill current job openings, but also take on the jobs of the future,” said Chairman Champion, who authored the Jobs Budget bill that made workforce development a centerpiece. “In the past two years, our investments in the education, training, and career advancement of Minnesota’s workforce will pay dividends for our workers, our businesses, and our communities across the state.
We’ve also pushed to reduce employment disparities bace on race, ethnicity, disability, age, gender, veteran status, national origin, or justice-system involvement so that every Minnesotan has the opportunity to succeed in the work force. On top of that, we’ve made record investments in housing and child care, which are the critical to giving Minnesotans the opportunity to participate in our workforce. During Work Force Development Month in Minnesota, I’m proud to point out our state’s efforts and our continued commitment to preparing our work force to succeed now and into the future.”
Chairman Champion said the Jobs Bill also:
- Increased workforce supports for persons with Mental Illness
- Created the Office of New Americans to provide workforce development support for immigrants
- Targeted Population Workforce Program funding for entrepreneurial skills training, capacity building grants and diversity inclusion training.
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