South Central WorkForce Council

09/07/2026

Today we celebrate the workers who make South Central Minnesota strong. Thank you for the work you do each day to support our communities, businesses, and future workforce. Happy Labor Day!💪🥳

09/02/2026

Celebrating all month long! 🤩🎉

📢 September is Workforce Development Month – a time to highlight how workforce development professionals across the state are connecting Minnesotans with employment and helping Minnesota employers hire the staff they need for their businesses to thrive.
❗ This work is more important than ever during times of economic uncertainty and a shifting labor market. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota's 16 Local Workforce Development Boards, along with workforce development partners across the state are serving a growing number of job seekers and employers.
➡️ Find out how CareerForce staff and partners connect job seekers with Minnesota employers around the state throughout the year – and what they are saying about the experiences of job seekers and employers now.
https://careerforce.mn.gov/careerforce-blog/workforce-development-month-time-raise-awareness-about-no-cost-services-help



Rural Minnesota CEP
Duluth Workforce Development
Career Solutions
Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc.
South Central WorkForce Council
Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council
Anoka County Job Training Center
Hennepin County Government
Ramsey County, Minnesota
Dakota County Government
Washington County, MN Government
Workforce Development, Inc.
City of Minneapolis Government

09/02/2026

September is Workforce Development Month! 🎉

This month, we celebrate the partnerships, programs, and people who help build a strong workforce across South Central Minnesota. From career exploration and training to connecting job seekers with opportunities, workforce development creates pathways to success for individuals, businesses, and communities.

CareerForce

08/28/2026

📢 Minnesota employers: Looking to strengthen your talent pipeline?

Check out DEED's upcoming Workforce Wednesday on mentorship, sponsorship, and succession planning. Learn practical strategies to develop employees, retain talent, and prepare for future workforce needs.

⬇️ Registration details below.

📢 Minnesota employers: You're invited to Workforce Wednesday NEXT WEEK on September 2. The topic is 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦-𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵: 𝘉𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱, 𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 & 𝘚𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨

📆 Wednesday, September 2, 2026
🕚 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - presentation and panel discussion
🚨 Register now: https://tinyurl.com/3jfa4e8p

As workforce needs continue to change, employers are thinking differently about how to retain talent, prepare for transitions and grow employees from within. Mentorship, sponsorship and succession planning are three practical strategies that can help organizations strengthen internal talent pipelines, adapt to changing workforce needs, and prepare for the future of work.

This Workforce Wednesday will explore how employers can support employee growth, create clearer pathways for advancement, transfer institutional knowledge, and prepare for future leadership or critical-role needs. The conversation will focus on practical ideas organizations can consider, whether they are just beginning this work or looking to strengthen existing efforts.

Participants will hear perspectives on how intentional talent development can support retention, continuit, and long-term workforce readiness.

Webinar Facilitator: Rebecca Zoubek, SHRM-CP, CWDP - South Central and Southeast Workforce Strategy Consultant, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

Panelists:
• Marcy Watzl - Manager of Talent, Red Wing Shoes
• Emily Harrison - Plant Manager, Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) (Red Wing)
• Jennifer Ungaro - Human Resources Manager, Crown Cork & Seal (Owatonna)
• Phil Sayles -Human Resources Manager, Viracon (Owatonna)

08/28/2026

📈 What’s driving population change in Southwest Minnesota?

Southwest Minnesota is approaching a population level not seen since the 1980s, but the story behind the numbers is worth exploring. Find out in the latest Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Local Look article, featuring valuable insights into the demographic changes. 🔍📊

🔗 Read more here: https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/southwest/southwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-764985

CareerForce

08/19/2026

𝗝𝗢𝗕 𝗙𝗔𝗜𝗥!! 📢 3M/Volt from New Ulm will be hosting a Job Fair at CareerForce Mankato and is hiring packagers and assemblers across first, second, third, and rotating shifts. Wages range from $22 - $23.50 hourly with opportunities for overtime.

Tuesday, August 25th: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: CareerForce 12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 1600A, Mankato, MN 56001

Please stop by to chat with 3M/Volt staff and learn more about these opportunities!

08/17/2026

Your next opportunity starts with a great resume. Explore the free resources and get one step closer to your career goals!⬇️⬇️

Did you know you can build, upload and save resumes in My Resume Center on CareerForce.MN.gov?
If you have a CareerForce.MN.gov account, you have access to My Resume Center, your own personal resume hub!
• Gather your information to craft a resume that highlights your skills, experience, education, employment and goals
• Then customize a resume in minutes for specific employment opportunities
• Store your resumes in My Resume center so you can download them on demand
Find out more at https://careerforce.mn.gov/resumes

08/17/2026

Apprenticeships are a powerful tool for workforce development. 💪 Check out this opportunity to learn more!

Don't miss out on your chance to provide input about aligning registered apprenticeship and related workforce development efforts. Sign up today for out Aug. 19 webinar. Details at dli.mn.gov/business/workforce/news-and-events

08/14/2026

Our South Central WorkForce Council staff had a great week at the 2026 Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards (MAWB) Summer Conference! We gained new insights, connected with workforce professionals from across Minnesota, and are bringing back ideas to strengthen the work we do in our communities.

A special congratulations to our Executive Director, Heather Gleason, on being voted MAWB Operations Committee Chair! We’re so proud! 👏🥳

08/07/2026

Proud to partner with Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council to bring Know Before You Go career pathway infographics to communities across South Central and Southwest Minnesota! 📊 Explore careers, wages, outlooks, and more at: https://www.workforcecouncil.org/labor-market-information/

From Healthcare to Manufacturing, our Know Before You Go infographics cover all the career pathways you need to explore in Southwest Minnesota. Download today and return every Thursday for updates!

👉 www.swmnpic.org/labor-market-information