Dakota-Scott Workforce Investment Board

“Providing comprehensive, professional and timely services for jobseekers and employers,”

The Dakota-Scott Workforce Investment Board (WIB) provides guidance and oversight of employment programs.

In 2007, the WIB focused on making an impact through leadership in many organizations; outreach efforts through speakers, bureaus and displays; education initiatives to help clients; innovations and best practices to help customers; contacts with employers; and one-to-one work with job seekers.

2007 Highlights

• Dakota County Commissioner Will Branning was elected chairperson of the Minnesota Workforce Council Association
• Served more than 60,000 people at WorkForce Center resource rooms, which have computers, fax machines and expert personnel to help with individual job searches.
• Assisted thousands of people through specific eligibility-based programs such as dislocated worker, welfare, youth and rehabilitation services programs.
• Held numerous workshops for job seekers, including the 5 th annual award-winning January Jump Start.
• Funded incumbent workers grants to help train workers at companies
• Hosted a Cultural Diversity event for employers
• Worked closely with businesses through job fairs, employer of the day activities, and Chambers of Commerce.

2008 Goals

• Better serve employers and job seekers
• Continue to be innovative and strategic
• Produce initiatives that promote WorkForce Center services and resources directly to high school youth.

Dakota Electric continues to be an important partner for the WIB and Youth Council. In 2007, the company sponsored the Dakota Electric Excellence in Youth Employment Services Award . LaDonna Boyd is active on the WIB and leading efforts to develop resources for entrepreneurs, and Melinda Merhoff has proactively worked with the Workforce Centers to identify solutions for the anticipated need for utility workers due to future retirements.