HIRED and its partners are working together to prepare individuals for this new demand for construction workers.  In the article, HIRED program manager Judy Swanson spoke to attempts to train construction staff during the recession.  She said, “There wasn’t a lot of demand for jobs on the back end of those training programs, so they just faded away.  And now we have more demand than we have students.” 

Information about HIRED’s short-term, green construction training program, operated in partnership with America’s Woodshop, was also featured.  Read the article here» 

THANK YOU!

The event was held Wednesday at Sabathani Community Center in south Minneapolis.

Fifteen employers from a variety of business sectors, along with several community organizations, met with individuals seeking employment.

The event will take place at the Sabathani Community Center at 310 East 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55409. From 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., job seekers are asked to check in with HIRED staff, and take part in our resume review. This will take place in Suite 101 on the first floor. After check-in, jobs seekers will be directed to the Career Fair, where they can meet with employers from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Confirmed employers and exhibitors include: Securitas Security Services, Minnesota Central School Bus Company, PTI Transportation Inc., Wells Fargo of Eden Prairie and St. Louis Park, HealthMax Home Health Services, Volt Workforce Solutions, Indrotec, Hennepin County Health and Wellness, Metropolitan Transit Commission, Minnesota Department of Human Services, Aerotek (Bloomington and Arden Hills), Urban Allies-Twin Cities, HMS HOST, Mall of America, SuperAmerica and Harvest Preparatory School. HIRED will also provide information about the RENEW program, which provides free job training and employment services for qualifying individuals seeking green jobs.

Please be professionally dressed and bring your resume for this event – some employers will be conducting interviews on the premises. Please remember, prior to the Career Fair, all job seekers must first check in with HIRED staff in Suite 101 on the first floor between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

HOW TO FIND Sabathani Community Center:
From the North: Take 35W South to the 35th/36th St Exit. Continue to travel straight ahead (south) on the service road (Stevens) to 38th St, to the first traffic light at 3rd Ave.

From the South: Take 35W North to the 35th/36th St Exit. Turn right on 36th St, go one block to 3rd Ave. At 38th St turn left.

Free parking is available in the adjacent parking lot, and on the street.

In addition:
Bus Route 23 brings you to the Sabathani Community Center
Bus Route 11 brings you to 4th Ave and 38th St.
Bus Route 18 brings you to Nicollet and 38th St.

Please contact HIRED’s office at 612-822-9071 with questions. Funding for HIRED’s services is provided by The City of Minneapolis.

Ernie Bishop came to HIRED seeking help with his job search.  He’s now employed in a position he found through a new perspective on his talents and razor-sharp networking. 

Ernie has great advice for anyone in need of a job search boost.

You can read more about Ernie, and how he achieved his career goals, by following this link to Laura French’s article.

With her daughter on her shoulder, Geadilee displays her award.

HIRED client Geadilee Cardona was recently presented an award at the state Capital in celebration of National Parent Leadership Month. 

Nominated for the award by staff at Model Cities Family Partnership, she was recognized for her exceptional efforts in creating a safe and healthy home for her daughter. 

Geadilee also recently completed her education and is working full-time in the health care field. 

Geadilee’s employment counselor at HIRED, Beth Kleiter, describes her as “an amazing woman”.  Congratulations on your award and all your recent achievements, Geadilee!

HIRED staff (from left to right) Emily Hansen, Kari Felegy and Ashley Witt prepare to distribute fleece blankets to families taking part in HIRED’s PACE program.

A group of volunteers from Target joined together to make and donate colorful fleece blankets for families served by HIRED.

The blankets will be given to families participating in HIRED’s Program for Academic and Career Excellence (PACE) initiative.  PACE serves young parents who have dropped out of high school or a post-secondary education program, and are participating in Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) services in north Minneapolis and northwest suburban Hennepin County.  A primary aim of the program is to re-engage the young parents in school, and provide them with the support they need to successfully earn their diplomas and/or post-secondary credentials. 

PACE staff members, who visit program participants at their homes, have noted that many of the families have just begun to establish their households, and therefore have few material possessions. 

“The blankets given by the Target volunteers are a great reminder to our PACE families that the community applauds them for all their hard work in school and on the job,” said Sr. Program Manager Kari Felegy.

Pictured are HIRED’s two most recent MVP’s, David Conover and Kirsten Gulbro, with HIRED’s Executive Director Jane Samargia.

Two HIRED staff members were recognized as “Most Valuable Players” at HIRED’s spring all-staff meeting held March 13.

David Conover works as a Desktop Support Technician.  About David, a HIRED staff member wrote, “David has always been responsive, helpful and kind when I have IT issues.  As an IT guy, I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to deal with us non-IT folks.  You would never know it with David.  He’s very professional and patient.”

Kirsten Gulbro is HIRED’s Development Manager.  A HIRED staff member wrote this about Kirsten:  “Kirsten is a well-rounded manager.  She has a “can-do” attitude and is one of the first to respond and help out.  She hit the ground running with her job.  She helps brighten up the office, too!”

The MVP Award program recognizes staff members for exceptional contributions towards fulfilling HIRED’s mission of providing personalized and innovative work solutions.  Award winners are selected by their peers.

Congratulations to both of HIRED’s most recent MVP Award winners, and thanks for all you do on behalf of HIRED’s clients.  Their dedication to excellence is an inspiration to us all.

Jessica Singh and Sara Jelinek on the Capitol steps.

As part of Mental Health Day on the Hill on March 12, HIRED staff members Jessica Singh and Sara Jelinek met with elected officials at the Capitol in St. Paul.

Jessica spoke with Senator Katie Seiben, and Sara spoke with Representative Sheldon Johnson.  Both staff members work in HIRED’s Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) division, where they provide one-to-one employment counseling to program participants. 

They shared the many important economic and social benefits of programs that support the employment efforts of people living with mental illness, including Extended Employment Projects, Individual Placement and Supports and Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services.

Hundreds of HIRED clients have built solid foundations for self-sufficiency through these programs, which produce a strong return on investment of taxpayer dollars.

Sponsored by Associated Bank, the event facilities were donated by the Ramada MSP Airport at the Mall.

More than 50 people gathered to celebrate HIRED’s many partnerships with the local business community at last week’s Employer Appreciation Event. 

The event was sponsored by Associated Bank, and held to thank and recognize the many business professionals who hire and provide internship opportunities for HIRED clients.  Employer partners also offer guidance for HIRED’s programs for job seekers, ensuring the organization’s services meet the most current needs of the Twin Cities labor market.  More than 50 individuals attended.

In addition to thanking Associated Bank for their generous sponsorship of the event, HIRED extends its thanks to the Ramada MSP Airport at the Mall, which donated the event facilities.