On December 20th, 2011, APEX Members gathered to learn more about the opportunity of hiring from within the Duluth at Work program. With the objective of expanding employer partnerships, the program featured a point of view by Mayor Ness, insights about our future economy from Drew Digby of DEED, two employee/participant testimonials and one employer testimonial. The event was a great success and was well attended by human resources professionals from key employers in the area. As a result of this event, the Duluth At Work program has already yielded five new employer partner relationships, with additional follow-up scheduled for the next few weeks to bring even more connections into the portfolio.
Since 2008, Duluth at Work has focused efforts on two target groups - job seekers and small business owners. A snapshot of the program’s success is as follows.
Workforce Development / Job Seekers:
• 255 participants
• 245 (96%) completed work-related trainings
• 192 (75%) successfully secured and maintained long term employment
• Results: Increasing incomes, building financial assets, homeownership, higher
education, reduction in public benefits, career laddering and promotion
Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs:
• 59 business owner and entrepreneurial participants
• 57 completed 9 week trainings, in peer groups and/or received targeted technical
assistance to more fully develop their business fundamentals and maintain a
competitive edge in our changing economy
• Results: Increasing revenues, new jobs created, storefront renovation loans,
leverage of new and more diverse funding, expansion into new markets or product
lines
Duluth at Work is a workforce development/poverty reduction model co-facilitated by Duluth LISC and the City of Duluth. To learn more, please contact Emily Larson at: (218) 355-8070
