DEED’s Employer Engagement Team: Connecting Employers with Skilled Workers

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Anna Mowry

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has launched the Employer Engagement Team to address workforce challenges by connecting employers with skilled workers, particularly in the Drive for 5 fields: caring professions, education, manufacturing, technology, and trades.

Strategically located across the state, the team provides tailored support to help employers recruit, retain, and build sustainable worker pipelines.

How they help:

• Consultation: Strategies to attract and retain employees.
• Job Matching: Connecting training program graduates with hiring employers.
• Collaboration: Partnering with workforce boards, Drive for 5 grantees, and stakeholders to link job seekers with high-quality jobs in Minnesota's most in-demand industries.
• Rapid Response: Assisting employers with staff reductions and connecting laid-off workers to new opportunities.
• Tax Incentives: Guidance on tax credits, such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, and federal programs to support hiring.

Find more information and connect with your regional Employer Engagement Specialist.