Sponsor: Workforce Solutions
Title
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Memorandum of Understanding with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul for the Saint Paul Tech Learn and Earn Program
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the memorandum of understanding with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the city of Saint Paul for the Saint Paul Tech Learn and Earn program for the period upon execution through March 31, 2028, in the amount of $190,000.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the memorandum of understanding.
3. Authorize the County Manager to establish a project budget for the Saint Paul Tech Learn and Earn program in the Workforce Solutions budget.
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Background and Rationale
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The Saint Paul Tech Learn and Earn program is a new collaborative workforce development program designed to expand access to technology and artificial intelligence career pathways for Saint Paul young adults ages 18-24 who have historically faced barriers to employment. The program provides industry recognized tech training, paid internships and professional development delivered through a coordinated public sector and higher education partnership.
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the city of Saint Paul (HRA) has approved $190,000 in funding for this program. Under the memorandum of understanding, Workforce Solutions will serve as the program administrator, manage program funds, coordinate internship placements, contract with training providers, pay participant wages and track program performance.
The program builds on Ramsey County’s focus on youth workforce development, including pathways that connect young adults to emerging industries and ongoing workforce development partnership with the city of Saint Paul. Workforce Solutions has successfully delivered similar technology focused training and internship programs and is well positioned to lead implementation.
Demand for technology and artificial intelligence skills continues to grow across industries. Young adults, particularly those from underrepresented communities, often face barriers accessing training, networks and paid work experience in the tech sector. This program helps bridge that gap by providing credentialed learning, job coaching and paid internships. Two cohorts of young people will be engaged with 20-24 anticipated youth trained.
This program aligns with current tech workforce goals established by the Workforce Innovation Board’s Tech Committee and Full Stack Saint Paul and supports Ramsey County’s Intergenerational Wealth and Economic Justice Strategic Priority.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The technology sector has longstanding racial disparities in access, representation, and advancement. Saint Paul Tech Learn and Earn is intentionally designed to reduce these disparities by serving low-income young adults and youth who have historically faced barriers to employment. Recruitment will be conducted in partnership with Right Track, which focuses on equitable access to workforce opportunities for underrepresented youth.
The program provides paid training, job coaching and work experience, removing financial and structural barriers that often prevent young adults of color and young adults from low income households from pursuing tech careers. By creating a supported pathway into an in demand field, the program advances equitable workforce participation and aligns with Ramsey County’s commitment to racial and economic justice.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Although there was no formal community engagement process in the development of this MOU, the program was shaped through collaboration with key community serving partners. Workforce Solutions, Full Stack Saint Paul, Right Track, city of Saint Paul departments and Saint Paul College, each provided program design insights informed by experience working with youth, families, employers and education partners.
The program will continue to involve community connected stakeholders, including higher education institutions, workforce providers and employers to ensure training remains relevant, accessible and aligned to emerging technology workforce needs. As implementation progresses, engagement with young people and families will help refine and expand future cohorts.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☒ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The MOU designates $190,000 in Saint Paul HRA funding to support training, participant wages, internship coordination and program administration for two program cohorts. This action recognizes the revenue in the Workforce Solutions project budget for 2026. Workforce Solutions staff time associated with managing the program is already included in the department’s approved 2026 and 2027 budget. No additional county levy funds are required.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. Memorandum of Understanding