Life Skills + Job Skills = A Confidence Trade

Change Inc.'s holistic approach shapes workforce readiness in Ramsey County

This article marks the fifth 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. 

When Regina Edmisten talks about the students who come through Change Inc.'s doors, she doesn't just talk about diplomas — she talks about confidence.

"Students aren't just building job skills at Change Inc., they're building life skills," said Edmisten,   Director of College and Career Readiness (CCR). “Students graduate with a high school diploma but also with the tools to navigate the world beyond high school, whether that means fixing something in their own home someday or knowing how to work with a contractor.”

Two Programs in One

Change Inc. merged with GAP School in 2019, which continues as one of its core programs. The organization works closely with Ramsey County and is one of Ramsey County Workforce Solutions’ WIOA Youth program contracted vendors. 

Edmisten has spent nearly three decades helping young people in Ramsey County chart a path forward, many of whom haven't found the right fit in a traditional high school setting. Change Inc. is a different experience, where academics and career preparation move forward together. Many students earn industry-recognized credentials, extending possibilities well beyond the classroom.

"We are not one or the other, but two intentional programs in one," said Edmisten. “I think that's a huge motivating factor for many of our young people."

A Personal Approach

GAP School serves about 200 youth and young adults ages 15-24 annually from its Saint Paul West Side location. The school takes a holistic approach to education, job training and social-emotional support for students at risk of dropping out, addressing barriers like mental health needs and basic necessities. Nearly 80% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch and about half are English Language Learners. More than 1 in 10 has some sort of justice system involvement. A low staff-to-student ratio helps teachers build close relationships with students and adapt programming as needed. The approach helps students overcome obstacles, improving long-term economic and career outcomes.

Change Inc. is also home to YouthBuild St. Paul Westside, whose CCR program offers two hands-on career pathways: construction and healthcare. In the construction pathway, students literally build houses in their own community, gaining real-world skills alongside their coursework. They spend approximately 30 hours per week in the program, with about half in classroom education, the rest in on-site workplace skills training and a bit in leadership or community service.

In healthcare, students visit a partner nursing home weekly for hands-on experience, working toward certifications such as Community First Services and Support (formerly PCA), CPR/first aid and the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential, as well as a broader exploration of various health careers.

Relationships with Results

Each year, Change Inc. serves roughly 1,600 young people across the Twin Cities metro area, many of whom come to its programming through word of mouth from alums, family members or community partners who know the organization's reputation firsthand. Strong relationships with employer and union partners are essential to that reputation, giving GAP School students access to mock interviews, job site tours and real hands-on learning opportunities they couldn't get otherwise.

That pipeline matters for more than just the students. Organizations like Change Inc. help bridge a critical gap in connecting local employers with young people who are trained, motivated and ready to work. 

“Minnesota's workforce shortages are only going to grow and not everyone wants to go to a four-year college,” said Edmisten. “Having different pathways to get people trained helps those young people, but the businesses that need them too.”

As a YouthBuild pre-apprenticeship program, Change Inc. gives students a head start. Rather than waiting until after graduation to begin building career-ready skills, students can start earning credentials while still working toward their diploma, a structure Edmisten calls "a huge motivating factor" for many.

To learn more about Change Inc. and its work preparing Ramsey County's next generation of skilled workers, visit thechangeinc.org or Ramsey County Means Business.