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Local workforce boards present statewide overview to Senate Jobs Committee
Summary
Representatives of Minnesota’s 16 local workforce boards described their federally framed role under WIOA, regional service models, funding mixes and examples of successful job‑seeker and employer partnerships; the boards told senators federal funding has declined and urged continued state support.
Representatives of the Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards gave an informational briefing about the structure, funding and services of local workforce boards across the state.
Kate Doohan, executive director of the Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards, explained that the local boards are part of a federally‑created public workforce system under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Boards represent 16 local workforce development areas in Minnesota and are configured to be private‑sector led, with a statutory requirement that business leaders form a majority of each board’s membership.
Elena Fochay, operations chair and Duluth director of workforce development, outlined services for three customer groups: youth (18–24), job seekers of all ages and employers. She highlighted paid work experiences, individualized intensive services, career centers (branded as CareerForce) and partnerships with DEED, education providers and community organizations. Fochay stressed the boards’ monitoring responsibilities and the need to align state investments with local systems.
Rosemarie Opuaja, CEO of Mika Creative and member of the Minneapolis workforce board, described employer benefits from programs like Step Up, which provides paid career experiences for youth. She reported the Step Up program served just over 1,000 youth in 2024, with 82–86% from low‑income families, 93% youth of color and 22% youth living with a disability.
Panelists told senators that federal funding has decreased as a share of board budgets and that boards rely increasingly on state and local funds to meet employer demand. Committee members asked about the boards’ approach to emerging needs such as AI and digital literacy; Fochay said workforce services focus first on basic digital literacy and then on work‑based learning to build higher‑level technology skills.
