2017 Chairman and Executive Director's messages
Chairman's Message
Butch Howard
Dear Stakeholders:
We’re pleased to present our 2017 Annual Business Report. We thank our partners, staff and board members for supporting our efforts on behalf of families and businesses in Ramsey County.
The theme of our 2017 report is Workforce: Work for impact - Work for growth - Work for legacy. This last year was, in many ways, the capstone to the indelible contributions that Patricia Brady made to Workforce Solutions during her 17 years of service as the director of that department and Executive Director of the Workforce Innovation Board. The stories and successes reflected in this report represent the values and emphasis on our families that Patricia leaves with her team as a hallmark of their work. On behalf of the Workforce Innovation Board, I would like to extend our thanks and recognize Patricia’s legacy of leadership on positive community impact and growth of innovative service delivery at Workforce Solutions.
Last year was the first full year in which Workforce Solutions’ staff provided a complete range of services at our new North St. Paul Affiliate WorkForce Center. Hundreds of job seekers utilized on-site resources and participated in trainings and workshops. Dozens of employers hosted informational and recruitment events. We look forward to continuing to build on this momentum in the years ahead.
As the Workforce Innovation Board, we remain committed to building on the legacy of success by continuing to drive impact and economic growth.
We continue to:
- Collaborate to maintain the economic health of Ramsey County.
- Identify current and emerging workforce issues and needs and seek solutions.
- Create partnerships to serve the needs of businesses and job seekers.
- Oversee publicly funded workforce programs in Ramsey County.
We are proud to share the achievements of our staff and partners and introduce you to some of the extraordinary job seekers we have had the pleasure of serving this past year.
Best regards,
Butch Howard, Chair
Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County
General Manager, Food & Beverage Operations, HMSHost – MSP International Airport
Executive Director’s Message
Patricia Brady
Dear Stakeholders:
After 17 amazing years working with the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County (WIB) and an incredible staff and community, I am moving on to the next leg of my journey and retiring from Workforce Solutions. I can’t tell you how honored and privileged I feel to have had this rare opportunity to represent and be a voice for this community. I have been deeply humbled and strengthened by the privilege of serving our very deserving residents every day.
Reflecting on these past 17 years as we present this year’s Annual Business Report, we have helped 94,332 residents find jobs, we have directly served 242,641 families on active caseloads, and have provided programming and resources to 814,386 visitors at our service centers. Additionally, Workforce Solutions has been recognized by state and federal entities 30 times for our work.
These numbers are a testament to staff and leadership of Workforce Solutions who have always been innovative and committed to serving our program participants and residents. I am so proud of the collective efforts of innovative leaders, staff, partners and the community for these victories won for our families.
I owe so much to many supporters. The WIB has been an incredible strategic partner in workforce development. Together, the WIB, City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County worked to lead the state in racial equity work by first creating partnerships with populations in disparity and then creating the Blue-Ribbon Commission to end racial unemployment disparities which matured into an independent community-based organization called Everybody In.
Most importantly, I would like to thank you for supporting our work. Together, our leaders and partners, the County Manager and County Board, have supported the calculated risks we have taken that have made it possible to continue advancing this innovative work.
I love public service and do not retire from it. I am simply changing the venue and the method of service.
Best regards,
Patricia Brady, Executive Director, Workforce Innovation Board
Director, Workforce Solutions