Ramsey County and the WIB Launch an Inclusive Workplaces Cohort

Ramsey County, in partnership with the Ramsey County Workforce Innovation Board (WIB) launched a new initiative aimed at supporting businesses to become more inclusive workplaces. This effort is being led by the WIB’s Equity Committee in alignment with the county’s Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan which set a comprehensive economic development strategy, centered on equitable growth and strengthening economic competitiveness.

The new program, named the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort, offers businesses in Ramsey County the opportunity to participate in a peer learning community to learn together while advancing equity and inclusion in their workplaces. Participating businesses attend sessions over the course of ten months beginning in October and will tackle topics such as: Examining Where You Are and Determining Where You Want to Be and Engaging Key Members and Leaders in the Racial Equity Discussion. The peer learning is led by Saint Paul based Center for Economic Inclusion, the first organization in the country dedicated exclusively to advancing inclusive growth to achieve regional prosperity. “We look forward to this partnership with the Center for Economic Inclusion to accelerate this work in Ramsey County. They are uniquely positioned to lead us in supporting businesses ready for bold action when it comes to creating more inclusive workplaces,” stated Ramsey County Workforce Solutions Director and WIB Executive Director, Ling Becker.

The first cohort will be launched with 20 local businesses, with preference given to businesses with 100 or less employees. Businesses from all industries are encouraged to apply. Elisa Rasmussen, chair of the WIB’s Equity Committee and Manager of Community Relations & Foundation at Xcel Energy shared, “The Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County is thrilled to lead an effort to support businesses in becoming more inclusive workplaces. This initiative will create shared learning and brave spaces for leaders to lean into opportunities to drive change for increasing business competitiveness while embracing the diversity of talent that is found in our communities today and beyond.”

Employer informational session registration and the application for interested businesses are available at www.ramseycounty.us/inclusiveworkplaces. The deadline to apply is 4:30pm on Friday, August 9, 2021. For more information on the cohort, contact Rebecca.Milbrandt@ramseycounty.us.