Empowering Jobseekers.
Supporting Employers.
Growing Minnesota’s Workforce.

Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards (MAWB) represents Minnesota’s Local Workforce Development Boards, your community's workforce experts.

What WE Do

MAWB represents the cooperative efforts of 16 Local Workforce Boards across Minnesota. We support workforce boards by providing Minnesota with a skilled and competitive workforce through engaged and proactive local elected officials, workforce boards, and workforce development partners.

Learn more about workforce boards here.

We Believe

MAWB believes that workforce development is the key economic development issue in our economy. We believe that Local Workforce Boards power locally-led, private-sector driven strategies that lead to strong outcomes and effective investments.

We Provide

We provide a central forum for the partners to discuss common interests, develop policy consensus, share successful job training strategies and maintain lines of communication with state and federal governments.

What are workforce boards? Learn more here.

Our Services

Local Workforce Stories

Powered by Minnesota’s Local Workforce Boards.

Youth Explore Manufacturing Careers

South Central Workforce Council, a Local Workforce Board, identified a significant need for manufacturing in their region. So, they brought in the youth! More than 700 students from 22 high schools in SC MN toured manufacturing facilities and school/training campuses where they could take their next step. This is just one step in making the match between business needs and jobseekers looking for high demand, high wage opportunities.

Watch the News Story

Minnesota Teens & the Summer Job market

MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the state of the summer job market for young workers in Minnesota. They'll discuss where opportunities exist, what employers are looking for and how job seekers can stand out in a competitive hiring environment.

Listen to the interview

Hiring Accelerator Brings New Tools to Local Businesses

Local Workforce Board, Central MN Jobs and Training Services, provides training opportunities to local businesses focused on skills-based hiring. Skills‑based hiring shifts the focus from resumes and credentials to jobseekers real-world, nitty gritty skills. It helps expand talent pools during workforce shortages, better matches candidates, and strengthens retention.

Read the Full Article

Minnesota unemployment down in May, but fewer people sought work

Minnesota added jobs and saw a slight decline in unemployment in May, signaling continued strength in the state's labor market. Read the full article to learn more about the latest employment trends and what they mean for Minnesota's economy.

From Underemployed to Electrician

Kevin was underemployed when he connected with Local Workforce Board, Southwest MN Private Industry Council (SWMN PIC). Working with staff, he worked through classes at Minnesota West Community and Technical College and then a union apprenticeship. With the support of SWMN PIC, he successfully made it to and through his program and is now employed in a high-demand, high wage field.

Learn More About Kevin’s Journey