Ramsey County Gateway Occupations for an Inclusive Regional Economy

Across the United States, millions of workers of all ages suffered job losses in the coronavirus-driven recession, but the economic impact on young workers ages 18-30 has been even more intense. Historically, young people are disproportionately disadvantaged in many ways during economic downturns, but this recession has been particularly acute given the sectors of the economy that were hit the hardest. Research on prior recessions finds substantial evidence that workers who enter the labor market during an economic downturn are scarred for many years. These younger workers are more likely to experience lower earnings, greater earnings instability, and more spells of unemployment in the long term compared with similar individuals who entered the labor market in better times. These effects are magnified for young Black and Hispanic workers, who have higher unemployment and underemployment rates relative to their white peers. As the economy shifts toward a recovery, it is clear that any bounce back has been uneven and continues to disproportionately impact communities of color.

Ramsey County Workforce Solutions has a unique partnership with Real Time Talent that has pivoted throughout the pandemic in order to better understand the impacts to different communities and industries. Leveraging labor market information has propelled the county in its data driven Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments which has wide-ranging efforts from supporting the childcare workforce, removing barriers for young adults to obtain driver’s licenses, and earn and learn programs in new industry sectors. Ramsey County aims to, not only recover from the pandemic, but emerge more economically competitive as a result of strategic workforce inclusion investments.

Now, more than ever, Ramsey County is prioritizing timely opportunities in occupations that are experiencing immediate employer demand, show promise for future growth, pay livable wages, and are accessible to workers with diverse employment and educational backgrounds. To activate this work, Ramsey County has identified Gateway Occupations as an area of focus through analysis of labor market and employment data, job posting data, and local employer feedback on the skills and credentials that workers need to become competitive candidates.