Every month, the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) hosts an  Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Forum. At April’s event we included Dari and Pashto interpreters to translate the discussion for non-English speaking community members. We provided information on CareerForce services as well as heard community updates from our partner organizations.   

CareerForce Services Available to Refugees in Minnesota 

Mike Lang from DEED’s CareerForce team gave an overview of how their offices can help people find a job or new career path at no cost to career seekers. CareerForce is Minnesota’s workforce system that helps connect job seekers with family-sustaining jobs, and employers with the workers they need for their businesses to grow and thrive. The CareerForce system consists of 50 locations across the state. Not all locations are currently open for in-person support, but all of them are providing online or phone support to career seekers.  

Expert staff can guide career seekers through all steps of job search and career planning. They offer many programs and services such as the Dislocated Worker Program, Veteran Services Program, Youth Programs and many more. Job seekers can find job search appointments near them at careerforcemn.com/events, and can register to reserve a time to meet with staff either in-person, over the phone or online. Career seekers can also find a list of upcoming online career fairs with employers looking to hire for a wide variety of high-paying jobs.  

Community Updates 

There is a Property Maintenance training opportunity starting in May. For those who are interested, please reach out to CAPI USA. These positions help with air conditioning, heating, and building maintenance.  

The Afghan Community in Minnesota Rotary Community Corps meetings are currently scheduled every other Saturday from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. The next meeting is Saturday, April 23, in the auditorium of the Normandale Elementary School. Use Door #10 on the south end of the building and park near the football field. Please contact Bob Keller for more information at bob@3dbd.net.  

If you missed this month’s forum, you can watch the discussion on DEED’s YouTube channel.