Please be advised: 

Our Health & Fitness Center is open, including our pool by reservation only.
Our Administrative offices will remain closed until further notice and continue offering virtual services to participants. 

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Employment &
Economic Development

YWCA St. Paul’s Employment & Economic Development programs empower people to build professional skills and overcome barriers to employment to enhance self-sufficiency. Providing access to employment opportunities, training for credentials and ongoing support services, these programs give people the assistance they need to move forward.

Claudia's Success Story

After completing YWCA St. Paul’s Transitional Housing Program, Claudia’s goals led her back to YWCA St. Paul’s employment services. As a participant in YW Works, she gained the skills and confidence she needed to secure meaningful employment at a job she enjoys. Claudia now shines for her children, and for herself. Click for video transcript.

Core Programs

YW Works

As a contractor of Workforce Solutions, a department of Ramsey County, YWCA St. Paul delivers culturally specific employment services for African Americans participating in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) through its YW Works (YWW) program.  YWW empowers people to maximize their economic self-sufficiency and stabilize their families through employment support services that meet the individual needs of participants and strengthen cultural connections. 

YWW participants must be referred to the program by Ramsey County Workforce Solutions. For more information about YW Works and the enrollment process, connect with Jamela Pettiford, Employment & Support Services Manager, at 612-440-6217  or Jpettiford@ywcastpaul.org.

Housing Stability Iniative

As participants work to increase their income through employment, this program designed for African America families on MFIP provides a culturally specific financial coaching curriculum, direct financial assistance to bridge gaps as families lose benefits, advocacy with landlords/property owners and holistic programming to promote healthy families.

Career Pathways

Career Pathways provides customized services and ongoing support focused on helping participants overcome barriers to obtaining and sustaining employment. 

This program helps people move past barriers—both personal and from society—that keep them from becoming and staying employed. This includes training for credentials that provide access to high-wage, in demand positions in Minnesota.

For more information about Career Pathways and the enrollment process, please email careerpathways@ywcastpaul.org.

Not sure where to start or what career path is for you? Start with Career Counseling! This program includes:

  • Career exploration assessment
  • Academic/skills assessment
  • Soft skills training
  • Discussion of results and next steps with a counselor

This Pathway is available to residents of Ramsey County only. Must provide proof of residency to participate.

To Apply:

Apply online here or apply in-person at YWCA St. Paul, 375 Selby Ave., St. Paul.

Application Form

Questions?

For more information, please call 651-222-3741 or email PRhodes@ywcastpaul.org.

The CDL Training Program puts people on the road to success by helping them to earn a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B or Class A. After successfully completing permit training, participants go on to behind the wheel training that leads to good-paying jobs in construction, highway maintenance, transit and other in-demand industries.

Program qualifications:

  • Minimum age 21
  • Must have valid Minnesota driver’s license for at least 2 years
  • No more than 1 moving violation in past 3 years
  • Must complete a drug screen, background and driving history check
  • Must have birth certificate or proof of citizenship and social security card
  • Must take a reading and math assessment test and go through an interview

Schedule requirements:

Must be available for permit training at YWCA St. Paul for two weeks, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. After permit training is completed, behind the wheel training schedules vary by training provider.

To Apply:

Apply online here or apply in-person at YWCA St. Paul, 375 Selby Ave., St. Paul.

Application Form

Questions?

For more information, please call 651-222-3741 or email PRhodes@ywcastpaul.org.

Office Essentials teaches the basic skills to start an entry-level career. This three-week program includes:

  • Job placement assistance
  • Microsoft Office certification
  • CPR training
  • Recruiting visits from employers
  • Materials and supplies provided
  • Certificate for completion of program

Qualifications:

  • Minimum age 18
  • Must pass background check
  • Must take skills assessment test

To Apply:

Apply online here or apply in-person at YWCA St. Paul, 375 Selby Ave., St. Paul.

Application Form

Questions?

For more information, please call 651-222-3741 or email PRhodes@ywcastpaul.org.

Interested in the medical field? Start your career by earning a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or certified medical assistant (CMA) certification. Both programs include:

  • Recruiting visits from employers
  • Materials and supplies
  • Certificate for completion of program

To Apply:

Apply online here or apply in-person at YWCA St. Paul, 375 Selby Ave., St. Paul.

Application Form

Questions?

For more information, please call 651-222-3741 or email PRhodes@ywcastpaul.org.

YW Works and Career Pathways programs are funded by Workforce Solutions, a department of Ramsey County, a proud partner of CareerForce.

 

 

Ramsey County Workforce Solutions logo

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