Workforce Development

The Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) has a wide variety of data tools and labor market information available on employment, unemployment, wages and occupations, regional and state comparisons and more. 

Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) is a Minnesota State technical college dedicated to education for employment and life-long career growth. DCTC is located 20 minutes away in Rosemount, MN and offers degrees in construction & manufacturing, health & education, transportation and more. In 2022, the student population was 2,300 students (59% full-time and 41% part-time).

In addition to growing Dakota County’s future workforce, DCTC provides customized training and corporate solutions for area businesses taught by industry experts.

Lakeville Works is a Lakeville Chamber of Commerce workforce initiative that is a partnership between the Chamber, City of Lakeville and Lakeville Area Schools, as well as local business program donors. 

Lakeville Works’ mission is to create awareness of in-demand careers and allow students to explore their future. The program does that in a variety of ways, including student and teacher tours, project-based learning and industry speakers in the classroom and paid work experience opportunities. LakevilleWorks.org is an excellent resource for current job seekers, businesses and students.

Read the latest Lakeville Works newsletter (PDF).

CareerForce is Minnesota’s workforce center system that supports career development for job seekers and talent recruitment needs for employers. Dakota County’s CareerForce Center is located in Burnsville, Minnesota, less than 20 minutes away from Lakeville.

Contact the Metro Region Workforce Strategy Consultant to learn more about how CareerForce can help your business attract, develop and retain talent. You can also join in monthly Workforce Wednesday virtual discussions that focus on highlighting proven strategies to build talent pipelines, hearing and sharing best practices, and networking with other Minnesota employers about all things workforce.

The Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board (WDB) leads, collaborates and provides linkages that facilitate workforce planning and supports economic development providing individuals, families, employers and the community opportunities to transform lives through optimal employment. The Board is comprised of a majority business representatives, as well as workforce, education and training, government, economic, and community stakeholders. Contact Mark Jacobs, Workforce Development Board Director by email for more information. 

Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline exists to support employers in creating or enhancing a competency based, earn-and-learn dual-training approach to meeting their workforce needs. With Pipeline, workers receive a combination of related instruction paired with on-the-job training. The program targets high-growth industries with limited history with Minnesota's apprenticeship system, such as advanced manufacturing, health care services and information technology.

Dual training grants are available through the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and provide funding for employers to create new and/or expand existing dual-training initiatives.