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Local workforce boards outline role in training, hiring and community supports at informational hearing
Summary
Representatives of Minnesota’s 16 local workforce boards briefed the committee on board structure, funding streams, youth programs, and local employer services; testimony warned of declining federal funding and highlighted programs such as CareerForce and Step Up.
Representatives of Minnesota’s 16 local workforce boards gave the Jobs and Economic Development Committee an informational briefing Wednesday on how local boards operate, how they are funded, and the services they provide to job seekers, employers and youth.
Kate Doohan, executive director of the Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards, said local boards were created under federal law and act as public–private conveners that use local labor market analysis to guide the investment of public resources. Doohan described a governance design that requires a majority of business leaders on local boards and noted Minnesota has 16 local workforce areas serving every corner of the state.
Elena Fochay, director of workforce development for the city of Duluth and chair of the association, described the boards’ three main customer groups: youth and young adults (including paid work experience), job seekers of all ages (who may use CareerForce centers for résumé, digital help and counseling), and employers seeking talent and training partnerships. She shared two success stories of participants who completed training, obtained credentials and entered family‑sustaining employment.
The testifiers outlined current funding dynamics: some boards rely heavily on state funding while federal contributions have declined. As one example, Duluth’s funding mix was shown as roughly 22% federal, 45% state and 23% local; Southeast Minnesota relies on only about 9% federal funding. Testifiers said Minnesota currently has roughly six job seekers for every ten job vacancies and stressed local boards’ role in aligning training with employer needs.
The panel also discussed youth programs such as Step Up, a paid youth employment program in Minneapolis that served about 1,000 young people in 2024; workforce leaders noted that statewide youth funding (the Minnesota Youth Program) has a $4 million base appropriation and received a one‑time increase in the most recent biennium. Committee members asked about preparing job seekers for technological change and AI; witnesses said the priority is digital literacy, paid work experience and “learning by doing” so participants can pick up new tools quickly.
Because this was an informational hearing, no action was taken.
