Hired and Hopeful: Helping Ramsey County Get to Work

This article marks the second in a series highlighting Ramsey County Workforce Solution’s partners. These community-based organizations deliver specialized employment and training services on behalf of the county. Their efforts expand access to workforce programs through career exploration, job-readiness training and paid work experiences for individuals facing barriers to employment. They are integral in strengthening the local workforce ecosystem and helping residents move toward stable, long-term employment.

For nearly 60 years, Hired has given individuals hope for bright futures by overcoming barriers to employment through career development, training and support services.

“Employment is the end goal, but we know there’s a lot more that goes into supporting people on that journey,” said Leah McNamee, Adult Services Senior Program Manager at Hired. “We’re incredibly relationship-based in the work we do.”

Today, the organization has a vital role in Ramsey County’s workforce ecosystem by connecting residents to meaningful employment opportunities and supporting their overall needs, which impact long-term success.

Hired is present for youth and adults, meeting them at their current circumstances to help them move forward. That includes those entering the workforce for the first time or those seeking to re-enter after a period of separation for a multitude of reasons. Through individualized coaching, career counseling, training opportunities and community partnerships, Hired helps people overcome barriers such as housing instability, poverty, or involvement with the justice system.

Invested in success

Hired partners with Ramsey County Workforce Solutions to provide Adult Services and Dislocated Worker Services, offering career counseling, emerging skill development and short-term credentialing opportunities in fields ranging from healthcare and human resources to commercial driving and project management. Participants also gain access to workshops focused on soft skills, such as networking, résumé development, interview preparation, digital skills and financial literacy.

Hired has also invested in online learning opportunities through Coursera licenses, allowing participants to earn nationally recognized credentials and build in-demand skills on their own 120 schedules.

Partnerships with more than 120 employers are another key component of Hired’s success. Organizations such as Medtronic, Seagate, Touchstone Health and Elpis Enterprises have worked closely with Hired to provide career exploration opportunities, internships and employment pathways for participants.

One caring adult away

In the Youth and Young Adults Services, Hired’s programming focuses on education, employment and life skills development. Rachel Grosskurth, Hired Youth Programs Director, said many young people come to Hired facing significant barriers, including homelessness, justice involvement, transportation challenges, or unstable family situations.

“We believe young people are often one caring and consistent adult away from becoming a success story,” Grosskurth said.

One of Hired’s signature youth initiatives is Corridors to Careers, a five-week cohort-based program, moving to an eight-week model in the summer of 2026, that combines paid-work-readiness training with employer tours, financial literacy, emotional intelligence workshops, digital literacy and mental health support. Participants receive technology support, including laptops and internet access if needed, to ensure they can fully participate.

The organization also works closely with a network of more than 160 community partners to provide additional support services, including housing navigation, home-visiting programs for families and referrals to specialized community resources.

In 2025, the National Youth Employment Coalition recognized the Corridors to Careers program with its Innovative Program Award for its commitment to empowering young people on their path to meaningful careers.

Solutions for every person

The modern workforce arena is shifting at speeds never seen before. As needs evolve, Hired is adapting alongside them. The organization is expanding programming focused on AI literacy, entrepreneurship and mental health support while exploring opportunities to serve even younger populations involved in the justice system.

“Our goal is to continue listening to participants and responding to the changing needs in our community,” Grosskurth said. “We want to make sure every person who walks through our doors has access to the support and opportunities they need to succeed.”

How can organizations learn more or partner with Hired?

Learn more about programs or connect with Hired today. Contact Ramsey County Workforce Solutions to learn more or explore partnership opportunities to help build a stronger, more inclusive Ramsey County.