HIRED

John Landy, center, celebrated with staff members from HIRED and Ramsey County Workforce Solutions.

At its June meeting, the Ramsey County Youth Council presented YouthLEAD trainer John Landy with the “Vern Vick Memorial Award”.

The award is presented to individuals who contribute to the support and empowerment of Ramsey County’s youth through personal, academic or career development.

Jan West, Sr. Program Manager of HIRED’s YouthLEAD services, noted “John is a retired St. Paul teacher that has dedicated his life to helping youth advance in their learning, and he has the patience, gentleness and passion to see our youth get on track with their education and succeed.  He is authentic and has a gift in reaching some our toughest, most discouraged and basic skills-deficient youth.  He has helped countless Building Lives and YouthLEAD participants obtain their GED, improve their grades and build their self confidence.”

John was presented with a plaque of achievement by the Youth Council, and his name was added to a plaque displayed at the Workforce Solutions office in Ramsey County.  HIRED’s YouthLEAD services are made possible through a grant from Ramsey County Workforce Solutions.

Adrian Shaheed, who connects young parents to job opportunities, is pictured with two program participants at a Midway Chamber of Commerce networking event.

The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation recently awarded HIRED a generous grant that will help young parents transition from public assistance to family-sustaining employment.

“It’s difficult in today’s economy for anyone to get a job,” said Kari Felegy, Associate Director of Youth Services.  “But for a young parent on public assistance, it can be especially tough to become work ready and find employment.”

“That’s why this grant is so important.  It helps us provide our program participants with the extra support they need with housing, child care, parenting skills, money management— all the things they need to get, and keep, a job.” 

Because young parents are at a particular risk of homelessness, HIRED employs a housing specialist to help program participants locate safe and affordable housing, and to proactively resolve any potential issues with keeping their families housed.

Thrivent Financial is also a long-time supporter of HIRED’s general operations, allowing the organization to serve economically disadvantaged job seekers across the Twin Cities metro area.

HIRED Employment Counselor Tiana Hardy paints faces at the PACE family fun night.

Manicures, face painting, dancing, singing, bubbles, socializing and a tasty dinner:  all elements of a fun, family-friendly evening. 

These were the activities at the Program for Academic and Career Excellence (PACE) “family fun night” for program participants and their children.

With the help and encouragement of HIRED’s employment counselors, young mothers in the PACE program strive to balance school, job search and parenting their children.  The family fun night gave participants and their families a chance to unwind and celebrate their many accomplishments. 

HIRED thanks AJ’s Nails, Cookie Cart, DJ Respectful Volume, Marna’s Catering LLC, Moler Barber School, Verity Visions photography, Whole Foods Market and YouthLink for making this event possible.

HIRED client Brianna Brown-Julius’ career success is on display as part of Monday’s “On the Job” feature in the Star Tribune.

Written by Laura French, the article shares how Brianna turned a part-time job at Mall of America into a full-time team leader position with the help of her HIRED employment counselor Nicolette Hanson.

With Nicolette’s assistance, Brianna secured reliable child care, and explored ways to obtain her GED.  About her job, she tells the reporter, “I’m the youngest team lead in the department. There are 50 to 100 team members just on my shift. They range in age from 18 to 72. There are language barriers, physical disabilities… I have to train in different styles.”

Brianna also says, “I know what I’m doing in my position — so much so that I’m almost ready to go to the next level.”

The full article is available here»

Today, nine individuals graduated from HIRED’s training program for the transportation sector.

Graduates earn certifications in a number of driving competencies, and earn credentials in customer service from the National Retail Federation. 

Students meet for 4 weeks, and guest speakers from the industry add their perspective to class sessions.  HIRED staff members provide graduates with help in finding a job.

The program is funded by the Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation and the Greater Twin Cities United Way.

If you, or someone you know, would benefit from taking part in this short-term training program, more information is available here

David Schaenzer, a graduate of the M-Powered manufacturing training program, recently shared his story with Laura French of the Star Tribune.

As part of an “On the Job” feature, David describes how enrolled in M-Powered while in prison, and is now employed in an apprenticeship that will lead to journey worker status as a journeyman machine operator.

“The opportunities just keep rolling in,” says David. 

M-Powered is a collaborative training program implemented by Hennepin Technical College, HIRED, local employers and other partners. 

The full article is available here»

Sunday’s Star Tribune included an article about the upswing in hiring within the construction sector. 

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» 

The HIRED staff and board of directors extends its gratitude to our Jobs Summit 2013 sponsors.  Because of your support, yesterday’s event raised tens of thousands of dollars to help people prepare for – and get – jobs!

THANK YOU!

Just in time for the spring warm up, more than a hundred job seekers thawed out their resumes for HIRED’s latest Career Fair.

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.

HIRED’s Spring Career Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

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.