Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Dislocated Worker Program and who is eligible?
A: The Dislocated Worker Program is a program funded by the state or federal government to provide training and support services to people who have been laid off from their positions due to downsizing or plant closings.

Q: Can you find me a job?
A: HIRED will partner with you to help you find a job. We will teach you job search skills, help you access training and provide you with job leads and other resources. HIRED is not a placement agency in that we are working on behalf of employers to place people in their jobs.

Q: How do I enroll?
A: Contact the appropriate counselor in your area and they’ll help you get started.

Northern Suburban Hennepin County: James Reason, 763-536-6031, e-mail
Southern Suburban Hennepin County: Matt Derosier, 651-554-6591, e-mail
Minneapolis: Mary Noothed, 612-821-1702, e-mail
Ramsey County: Linda Byrd, 651-999-5660, e-mail
Dakota County: Matt Derosier, 651-554-6591, e-mail

Q: What do you mean by support services?
A: Support services are the services that you may need, in addition to employment and training assistance, to become employed. They might include financial planning, legal assistance, housing assistance, transportation, child care, mental health counseling, family counseling, chemical dependency evaluation or other services. Support services might also include financial assistance in emergency situations, such as when you have a home or car maintenance issue. If you have special needs, your employment counselor will help you find solutions and the services you need. He or she may refer you to other organizations for services or help you access emergency resources.

Q: Why do you need to know about my income?
A:  Part of our job in helping you become reemployed is to help you find a job at a wage comparable to your last position. It’s helpful for us to know what your wage was so we can help you find a new job or select a new career in which you can find a job at a comparable salary. The state also tracks these statistics in order to make sure that you are finding work paying comparable wages.

Q: Who is eligible for training funds?
A: All dislocated workers are eligible for training assistance. The amount available will vary according to the project.

Q: What kinds of job training can I get?
A: You can choose short-term training programs that will help you prepare for a job in a field that is expected to continue to need new workers. Your employment counselor will help you learn about careers in growing fields and industries. You can look at a list of some of the training programs HIRED dislocated worker program participants have completed below:

Q: The training that I want to take is a two-year program. Will you pay for it?
A: We may be able to help you pay for part of your training. We also help our participants learn about, and apply for, financial aid. We also may be able to help you shorten the training programs.

Q: How much money do I get?
A: Each participant has a personalized service plan, which is developed by the participant and his or her employment counselor. The amount of funding available for training, support services or other items is determined based on the needs of each client.

Q: I’m moving out of state. Can you help with my moving expenses?
A: We can provide limited assistance with moving expenses if you provide proof that you have a job offer and will be starting work in your new location. A letter from your new employer indicating that you have received a job offer will suffice.

Q: What do you do with the personal information that you’re asking me to give you?
A: Your personal information is carefully guarded. Your counselor will use it to help develop your personalized employment plan. Some of the information will be reported to our public funders, including the State of Minnesota, so they can monitor our performance and confirm that we are providing services in a non-discriminatory manner.

Q: What resources are available in your career centers?
A: First, there is an experienced counselor available to help you find information you need. The resource centers contain print and online labor market, career and job posting resources. There are copiers, fax machines and computers with Internet access and office software applications for your use.

Q: What is a Minnesota WorkForce Center?
A: A WorkForce Center is a one-stop-shop for all your employment-related needs. In a WorkForce Center, you will have easy access to unemployment insurance specialists, extensive job search and career planning resources, veterans affairs specialists and other state resources. HIRED has offices in seven WorkForce Centers (Brooklyn Park, West Bloomington, West St. Paul, St. Paul Griggs Midway Building, Hopkins, Burnsville and North Minneapolis).

Q: How do I get set up with someone to help me?
A: To receive help when you have lost your job, you should call the main number at HIRED (612-529-3342), explain your situation and let them know where you live so that you will be set up with a counselor in the office nearest you.