- Home
- Departments
- Community Services
- Employment Assistance
Employment Assistance
Get help to find a job. Washington County CareerForce is an extension of the Minnesota CareerForce. We are a resource to connect job seekers and employers in Washington County. We offer services such as training, one-on-one guidance, networking, career fairs, labor market information and more. Services are available on a walk-in basis or by appointment via phone, email and/or virtual meetings.
Subscribe for communications from CareerForce. 
Weekly Hot Jobs
- List of jobs openings weekly update (PDF)
- Job Opportunities at Washington County.
Career Lab
Career Labs serve as a business office for job seekers and a resource for employers. It features the tools and resources needed to the find a job or make a career change.
Veterans Priority - CareerForce offers resources for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.
Important Notice:
The CareerForce in Cottage Grove will be closed on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
During this time, please utilize the following resources:
- To Schedule an appointment: Please email us at vivien.fowler@washingtoncountymn.gov
- Job Search Assistance: For work-related questions, feel free to call 651-275-8665 and for in-person support with job search activities, feel free to visit the CareerForce in Woodbury located at1261 Woodland Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125.
For more information, call 651-430-4162. Thank you.
Drop-ins and Appointments
For 1:1 appointments, call 1-2 weeks in advance.
Service by appointment only. Call to make an appointment: 651-430-4162.
Service Hours
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Availability
Drop-in and appointments.
Call 651-275-7265 to make an appointment.
Service Hours
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon - 1 p.m.)
Availability
Drop-in and appointments.
Call 651-275-8665 to make an appointment.
Services Available
You will find knowledgeable staff who can help you:
- Find up-to-date job listings.
- Access computer, internet and printer.
- Write a resume.
- Help you plan your career.
- Provide community and education resources.
Virtual and Interactive Services for Career Seekers offer online workshops on job search, resume writing, and interview skills along with links to several online resources.
Job Search Resources
Resume Review
- Career Services Specialists are available to review your resume and provide feedback.
- Email your resume to your nearest CareerForce location.
- Please include "Resume Review" in the subject line.
- There are Resume Kits (PDF) available to customers with limited access to computers and low technology skills.
- Our partners at the Washington County Libraries have a section called Job and Career Resources.
Other Employment Assistance Services
Unemployment Help
Find help from the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program.
Dislocated Worker Services
If you have lost your employment in the past 12 months due to no fault of your own, you may be eligible for Dislocated Workers Services. Services are custom tailored to meet an individual’s specific needs. Working one-on-one with a counselor, you’ll develop a plan for employment that may include:
- Career planning and counseling.
- Job search and placement services.
- Counselor-approved training.
- Other support services.
Dislocated Worker Presentation: Description of Dislocated Worker Services, eligibility information, and how to apply.
Fill out the Dislocated Worker interest form, and a counselor will contact you to discuss next steps.
Income-based programs
- Diversionary Work Program is a four-months program for low-income families.
- It provides quick and intense employment services to identify and resolve employment barriers in order to help participants achieve employment.
- DWP Employment Counselors offer job search assistance and support in order to help families achieve self-sufficiency.
- Minnesota Family Investment Program is a comprehensive work-focused program for low-income families.
- The goals are to encourage and enable families to find employment, help families increase their income and move out of poverty and gain self-sufficiency to support the family.
- MFIP Employment Counselors offer job search assistance and support in order to help families achieve self-sufficiency.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In some cases a household income is higher than the above programs but eligible for SNAP which helps you afford food while you are unemployed. This program also offers Employment and Training Services.
To see if you may eligible for any of the income-based programs, please visit and contact Economic Support.
Common Employment and Training Program Forms
- Monthly Activity Log (PDF).
- SNAP Employment and Training Employment Services Weekly Activity Log (PDF).
- Provider Opinion Form (PDF).
For additional program information, call 651-275-8702.
Services for Young Adults, Ages 14-24
Services for youth and young adults include:
- Career planning.
- Job search assistance.
- Assistance with tuition costs and other post-high school training.
- Paid work experience.
We also contract with Tree Trust to offer summer jobs in which young adults work on outdoor landscaping projects in county or city parks.
Questions, please contact wfcyouthprogram@co.washington.mn.us
Applications accepted for youth ages 16-24: Young Adult Services Application (PDF).
Workshops
Provides the most up-to-date job search and career assessment workshops to any job seeker. TIP: Check your email spam folder for JOIN LINKS to the online classes.
NOW (Non-Traditional Opportunities for Women)
NOW is a free short-term training for women who are seeking non-traditional work in areas like manufacturing, construction, and transportation. Examples of job titles: construction or commercial painters, welders, heavy truck drivers (CDL), highway maintenance workers, CNC operators, glaziers (specialty occupation in construction).
Eligibility
- Must be a Minnesota resident, women, at least 18 years old, and eligible to work in the U.S.
- And, must meet one of the following:
- Be a person of color.
- Have a low income.
- Or, be age 50 and older.
- Average starting pay, metro area is $18.02 per hour.
- For more information please call Program Coordinator Angela Plumbo at 651-275-8685 or email .
North Star Promise Scholarship Program
Beginning in fall 2024, the North Star Promise (NSP) Scholarship program will create a tuition and fee-free pathway to higher education for eligible Minnesota residents at eligible institutions as a "last-dollar" program by covering the balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends and tuition waivers have been applied.
Other Resources for Short-Term Trainings
- CareerForce Training Program search
- Department of Labor Apprenticeships
- Job Connect Training Dashboard
- CareerWise Education Search Tool - Short-Term Trainings
- GOODWILL Easter Seals programs
- Summit Academy OIC programs
- Job Corps programs
Dislocated Worker Services
If you are laid off from your job through no fault of your own, you may qualify for dislocated worker services that can connect you to short-term training to refresh or upgrade skills, or obtain certification or professional licensure, and other help and guidance for your job search. Call 651-275-8680 for eligibility.
Career Fairs
To participate in a career fair or to discuss any of these resources, call 651-275-7265.
Washington County CDA
For Employers
CareerForce locations are more than just a place for those looking for work. It’s also a place for businesses looking to hire.
Hiring
- Career Fairs: It's a no-fee opportunity to meet with job seekers. We will keep you updated on both local and metro region events and help promote your events.
- You can post jobs and search for resumes on this no-fee, online resources job bank.
- Have qualified applicants referred to you by the CareerForce network of counselors and staff.
Programs to help reduce your risk and taxes
Future Forward
Connect your business to future Minnesota workers. FutureFoward is a website designed to connect Minnesota businesses to students and classrooms. Register your business for free.
Training
- MN Job Skills Partnership Training provides financial resources for you to expand your business or train your workers.
- CareerForce hosts monthly Workforce Wednesdays for employers. These sessions have been recorded. You can register for future and view past sessions.
On-The-Job Training
- Saves your business money by providing wage reimbursement during the new-hire training period.
- Your new employee is trained according to your standards. Industry specific training is targeted to Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance, Construction, and IT.
- Call 651-275-7265 for more information.
Young Adult Program
- Promoting worksite placement, applicant referrals, and some wage payment for youth ages 18-24.
- Future Forward platform for promoting your business and connect to future Minnesota workers by creating a FutureForward employer profile.
GED/Literacy/Adult Basic Education/English as a Second Language Training
Connect with your school district for hours and locations of classroom instruction.
Labor Market Information
Get labor market information on economic data and trends, skills of the available workforce, wage, and salary information by area.
Entrepreneurs
Additional Resources
- Career Fairs/Networking Events.
- CareerForce Online Tools (Assessments).
- Dakota County Libraries.
- Dress for Success Twin Cities.
- Goodwill Community Foundation Learn Free.
- Great Rivers Adult Education - Free adult classes (age 17+) including ESL classes, Computer Literacy/Microsoft Office, GED Prep and K12 Diploma.
- Washington County Libraries Job and Career Resource.
- Century College - Reduced Price Cosmetology Services (PDF).
Contact Us
-
Washington County
CareerForcePhone: 651-275-8650
Fax: 651-275-8682
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. -4:30 p.m.Interpreter service is available
Career Lab Locations
Cottage Grove
Drop-ins and Appointments
For 1:1 appointments, call 1-2 weeks in advance
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays:
8 a.m. - Noon and 1 - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 651-430-4162
Email: Staff in Cottage GroveForest Lake
Drop-in and appointments.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 651-275-7265
Email: Staff in Forest LakeWoodbury
Drop-in and appointments.
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon - 1 p.m.)
Phone: 651-275-8665
Email: Staff in Woodbury
A proud partner of the American Job Center network.
Washington County CareerForce administers programs targeted to those who have lost their job due to no fault of their own, low-income adults and youth, disadvantaged youth and young adults, and welfare-to-work participants. Our goal is to help them become successful in securing and retaining jobs and to enhance marketable skills for the current labor market.
CareerForce serves career seekers no matter where they are at in their career from just starting out to mid-level management and beyond. CareerForce does this through customized career planning, resume revision and interview preparation, plus education and training for eligible career seekers. CareerForce also connects career seekers to thousands of Minnesota job openings online.
CareerForce serves employers by helping them find the right workers from entry-level to highly skilled candidates.