Lisa Guetzkow

Tell us about your background?

I continue living my passion and commitment to serving and supporting community. I’ve been in the human services field for over 30 years. I believe in continuous learning with and through collective viewpoints and life experiences for actionable systems change and ensuring a continuum of individualized care in service delivery. My career background is primarily in workforce development, but also in mental health, education, children and family services, housing, substance use, re-entry, and vocational rehabilitation. I’ve held a variety of roles including direct service, trainer, coordinator and senior leadership. I have a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Metropolitan State University that included an emphasis on generalist practice with various populations, cross cultural learning and a blend of academic and life experience learning.

Share about your work at Ramsey County Workforce Solutions?

I joined Ramsey County Workforce Solutions (WFS) just over three years ago as the Integrated Programs Manager for 5 employment services teams. I also serve on various county work groups and committees ranging from service delivery coordination and talent attraction to site operations and safety. Prior to joining WFS, my career was with local non-profit organizations.

What are the most significant employment challenges job seekers in our community faced in the last year?

Each job seeker has a unique experience, and supporting their individual journey is critical for a path to career success. This past year, many job seekers experienced low confidence in their chances and ability to get the job they need and want. Often, many do not hear back from employers, there are continued concerns about health and safety, and low wages compounded with rising inflation. Other challenges include keeping up with the right skills for industry specific jobs, and systems barriers such as: access to childcare, technology, housing, fair chance opportunities, mental health needs, and continued disproportionate impacts on communities of color. For these many reasons, workforce programs are a critical part of supporting community, and for economic development.

What are some new opportunities you see for job seekers in 2023?

In a changing economy, uncovering transferrable skills from past work or lived experience, and more opportunities for skill upgrades in short term trainings will help open possibilities for job seekers. With the surge of remote work from home jobs here to stay, opportunities for learning both how to interview for a job virtually, as well as keeping up with the skills needed to keep those jobs such as using technology, work-life balance, and employer expectations will be important. Accessing workforce programs that commit to having strong industry partnerships, employer participation, wrap around supports and job search skills services can make a huge difference.