local-look-central

<results><page>0</page><page>20</page><page>135</page><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Central Minnesota’s manufacturing industry depends on many occupations, from industrial engineers and machinery mechanics to clerks, sales representatives, accountants and HR specialists, that support design, maintenance, logistics and business operations. These roles offer strong wages, growing demand and multiple education pathways, showing that manufacturing career opportunities extend far beyond the factory floor.</Description><Audience/><Title>Beyond Production: In-Demand Careers That Support Manufacturing</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Beyond Production: In-Demand Careers That Support Manufacturing</Title><title>2026-09-15 Beyond Production Article</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-769315&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2026-09-15T18:18:28Z</Date><ShortDescription>Central Minnesota’s manufacturing industry depends on many occupations, from industrial engineers and machinery mechanics to clerks, sales representatives, accountants and HR specialists, that support design, maintenance, logistics and business operations. These roles offer strong wages, growing demand and multiple education pathways, showing that manufacturing career opportunities extend far beyond the factory floor.</ShortDescription><Subtitle>Manufacturing in Central Minnesota relies on a wide range of in‑demand careers beyond production, offering diverse opportunities in engineering, maintenance, logistics, sales and business roles.</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;When people think about Manufacturing careers, they often picture welders, assemblers and machine operators working on a production floor. Those workers remain essential, but manufacturers in Central Minnesota also depend on a much wider range of occupations to design products, maintain equipment, manage workers, move materials and connect with customers. For students and job seekers, this means manufacturing can offer opportunities that match many different interests and education levels.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Before a product is made, engineers and technical workers help determine how it should be designed and produced. Industrial engineers analyze production systems and look for ways to improve efficiency, quality and safety. Regional demand data show a median annual wage of about $102,300 for &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=172112&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Industrial Engineers&lt;/a&gt;, along with projected employment growth of nearly 21% and approximately 970 projected openings over the decade.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Modern manufacturing also depends on workers who can keep advanced equipment operating. &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=499041&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Industrial Machinery Mechanics&lt;/a&gt; diagnose problems, repair machines and perform preventive maintenance. The occupation has a median annual wage of roughly $72,100, projected growth of more than 25% and about 650 projected openings. These careers can be a good fit for people who enjoy hands-on work, technology and problem-solving.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Manufacturing continues well after a product leaves the production line. Companies need employees to manage inventory, coordinate shipments and deliver products to customers. &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=435071&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Shipping, Receiving and Inventory Clerks&lt;/a&gt; have nearly 1,500 projected openings and a median annual wage of about $48,400.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Sales Representatives also play an important role by explaining products, developing customer relationships and helping companies respond to market needs. &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=414012&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives&lt;/a&gt; for nontechnical products have a median wage of approximately $72,000 and nearly 2,930 projected openings.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Manufacturers also need many of the same business professionals as other employers. &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=132011&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Accountants and Auditors&lt;/a&gt; have a median annual wage of nearly $79,700 and more than 2,200 projected openings, while &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=131071&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Human Resources Specialists&lt;/a&gt; earn a median wage of approximately $76,900 and have more than 1,000 projected openings. &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=111021&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;General and Operations Managers&lt;/a&gt; have a median wage of roughly $91,700 and more than 6,390 projected openings.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;These occupational figures include employment across all industries, so not every opening will be with a manufacturer. Still, they illustrate the variety of skills manufacturing companies need.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;There is also no single pathway into the industry. Some logistics, sales and support positions are available with a high school diploma and employer training. Maintenance and technical careers may require a certificate or two-year degree, while engineering, accounting and human resources positions generally require a bachelor&apos;s degree.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Manufacturing remains an important part of Central Minnesota&apos;s economy, but its career opportunities extend far beyond the factory floor. From engineering and maintenance to sales, technology, logistics and management, the industry offers many ways to help turn an idea into a finished product.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about the importance of Manufacturing in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/local-look-cen-2026-09-figure1_tcm1045-769562.png&quot; title=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-09-figure1&quot; alt=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-09-figure1&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-09-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot; /&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;October is &lt;strong&gt;Manufacturing Month in Minnesota&lt;/strong&gt;. You can find many Manufacturing Month resources, including information about career exploration and hiring events taking place throughout the month around the state at &lt;a href=&quot;https://careerforce.mn.gov/industry/manufacturing&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForce&apos;s Manufacturing Industry page&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>769315</id><pubdate>2026-09-25T21:37:08Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Central Minnesota’s largest occupations span retail, health care, transportation, education and management, illustrating wide wage ranges and multiple pathways to strong careers without necessarily requiring a four-year degree.</Description><Audience/><Title>The Jobs at the Heart of Central Minnesota’s Economy </Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>The Jobs at the Heart of Central Minnesota’s Economy </Title><title>2026-08-24 Occupations Article</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-764965&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2026-08-24T18:18:28Z</Date><ShortDescription>Central Minnesota’s most common occupations highlight a mix of lower-education service jobs and higher-wage professional roles, showing the diversity of the region’s labor market. Successful career paths in the region vary widely in required training and education, underscoring that employers need workers with many different backgrounds and skill levels.</ShortDescription><Subtitle>Central Minnesota’s largest occupations span retail, health care, transportation, education and management, illustrating wide wage ranges and multiple pathways to strong careers without necessarily requiring a four-year degree.</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota&apos;s largest occupations reflect both the size and diversity of the region&apos;s economy. From Retail and Health Care to Transportation, Education and Management, the jobs employing the most people span a wide range of wages and education requirements.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Cashiers are the region&apos;s largest occupation, with about 8,410 jobs, followed closely by Retail Salespersons at 8,080 jobs. Fast Food and Counter Workers also rank among the largest occupations, with 6,530 jobs. These careers typically require a high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, and help illustrate the significant role that retail, hospitality and service industries play in the regional labor market.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;But some of the region&apos;s largest occupations also offer substantially higher wages. General and Operations Managers employ about 6,680 workers and have a median annual wage of roughly $91,700. Registered Nurses, with approximately 6,080 jobs, have a median annual wage of more than $105,000. Elementary School Teachers also appear among the top 20 occupations, with about 3,510 workers and a median wage near $79,000. These occupations typically require a bachelor&apos;s degree, though Registered Nurses can also start with an associate degree in Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Importantly, many of Central Minnesota&apos;s larger occupations do not require extensive postsecondary education or training, including a bachelor&apos;s degree or higher. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, for example, employ about 5,630 workers and have a median annual wage of more than $63,000 and can be started with a high school diploma and a commercial driver&apos;s license. Construction Laborers and Maintenance and Repair Workers also offer median wages approaching $60,000 while typically requiring a high school diploma or occupational training rather than a four-year degree.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While not necessarily an indicator for demand, the most common occupations offer insight into the types of occupations that have the largest amount of opportunity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The region&apos;s largest occupations reinforce an important workforce message: there is no single pathway to a successful career. Central Minnesota employers need workers with different levels of education, training and experience. Helping students and job seekers understand the connection between occupation size, wages and education requirements can help them identify and prepare for career paths that fit both their interests and the needs of the regional economy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/deed/assets/local-look-cen-2026-08-24-figure-1_tcm1045-764968.png&quot; title=&quot;Open Figure 1 in new tab&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-08-24-figure-1&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/local-look-cen-2026-08-24-figure-1_tcm1045-764968.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Central Minnesota&apos;s Largest Occupations&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Central Minnesota&apos;s Largest Occupations&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%; height: auto;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-08-24-figure-1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about occupations in demand in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>764965</id><pubdate>2026-08-27T19:31:21Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Survey results show how artificial intelligence is shaping hiring, job searches and career uncertainty in Central Minnesota</Description><Audience/><Title>Central Minnesota Adapts to Job Seeking in the Age of AI</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota Adapts to Job Seeking in the Age of AI</Title><title>2026-07-15 JSES AI Article</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-760790&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2026-07-15T18:18:28Z</Date><ShortDescription>Artificial intelligence is becoming a growing part of the job-search process, both as a tool used by job seekers and as a technology used by employers. Survey results show that Central Minnesota workforce professionals are slightly more likely than their statewide peers to report that AI has affected their clients, while many remain uncertain about its full impact.</ShortDescription><Subtitle>Survey results show how artificial intelligence is shaping hiring, job searches and career uncertainty in Central Minnesota</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming part of the job search experience, but its effects are not always easy for job seekers—or the professionals serving them—to interpret. According to DEED&apos;s July 2026 &lt;a href=&quot;/deed/data/data-tools/job-search-experience/index.jsp&quot; title=&quot;Job Search Experience Survey&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;000 Job Search Experience Survey GEN&quot;&gt;Job Search Experience Survey&lt;/a&gt; of workforce professionals, 45% of Central Minnesota respondents said their job-seeking clients&apos; employment or job search had been affected by AI during the previous three months. That was slightly higher than the 42% reported statewide. Meanwhile, 15% of Central Minnesota respondents said their clients had not been affected, compared with 18% across Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While that shows an increasing impact, considerable uncertainty remains. About 39% of Central Minnesota respondents were unsure whether AI had affected their clients, nearly identical to the statewide result of 40%. These findings suggest that AI&apos;s influence may be difficult to recognize, particularly when it is incorporated into online applications, résumé-screening systems and other parts of the hiring process.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Figure 1.&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Have your job-seeking clients employment or job search been affected by Artificial Intelligence in the past three months?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/local-look-cen-2026-07-15-figure-1_tcm1045-760789.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1.&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1.&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%; height: auto; margin: auto;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-07-15-figure-1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The most frequently reported experience was encountering AI as part of the hiring process, cited by 22% of respondents. Another 21% said clients had used AI during their job search, potentially for writing résumés and cover letters, researching employers or preparing for interviews.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Increased use of AI is also creating anxiety: 18% reported that clients expressed concerns or confusion about AI&apos;s effect on their future career paths, while 15% said clients were unsure how it might affect their current employment opportunities. Another 12% indicated that clients needed new AI-related skills to find employment in their field.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;However, more direct effects were less common. Just 6% reported clients losing a job because of AI, while an equal share said clients benefited from AI by finding opportunities or improving their skills. For Central Minnesota job seekers, AI appears to be both a tool and a source of uncertainty. Helping workers understand how employers use AI—and how they can use it effectively themselves—will be an increasingly important part of career guidance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about the Job Search Experience Survey in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>760790</id><pubdate>2026-07-27T20:02:41Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Job seekers and recently graduated students that are searching for an in-demand career path with great growth potential and varied educational and training requirements should look at Caring Careers in Central Minnesota.</Description><Audience/><Title>Caring Careers in Central Minnesota </Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Caring Careers in Central Minnesota </Title><title>2026-06-12 Caring</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-753392&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2026-06-12T18:18:28Z</Date><ShortDescription>Many of the most highly demanded occupations in the region are in Health Care, ranging from jobs that can be started with a high school diploma, such as personal care aides, and social and human service assistants, to jobs that require a professional or doctoral degree, such as anesthesiologists, occupational therapists and podiatrists.</ShortDescription><Subtitle>Job seekers and recently graduated students that are searching for an in-demand career path with great growth potential and varied educational and training requirements should look at Caring Careers in Central Minnesota.</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Job seekers and recently graduated students that are searching for an in-demand career path with great growth potential and varied educational and training requirements should look at &lt;a href=&quot;https://careerforce.mn.gov/CaringCareer&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Caring Careers&lt;/a&gt; in Central Minnesota. Many of the most highly demanded occupations in the region are in Health Care, ranging from jobs that can be started with a high school diploma, such as personal care aides, and social and human service assistants, to jobs that require a professional or doctoral degree, such as anesthesiologists, occupational therapists and podiatrists.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Not only do these jobs provide a large number and wide range of job vacancies, they also offer relatively high wages, flexible schedules, job security, benefits and more; and most importantly, the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. If that isn&apos;t convincing enough, here are some more reasons to consider pursuing a Caring Career:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul type=&quot;disc&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Employers pay for your initial training in many cases – and they may also pay for future training to help you grow in your career and earn more money.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Many employers welcome employees who are learning English.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;You do not need experience working in health care to start many entry-level positions – and many skills you earned in other fields transfer to health care and social assistance positions.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Employers may be willing to work with you on child care, transportation, scheduling, language training and other such obstacles in their talent recruitment efforts.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In Central Minnesota, our &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/Results_9Columns.aspx&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Occupations in Demand tool&lt;/a&gt; showed that Home Health &amp;amp; Personal Care Aides were the most in demand job in 2025, followed closely by Registered Nurses, Nursing Assistants and Licensed Practical Nurses, which were all in the top 25 overall. In fact, 17 of the 100 occupations in the top tier of demand were healthcare-related, as shown in Table 1. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border=&quot;1&quot; class=&quot;table-striped&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;thead&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;5&quot;&gt;Table 1. In Demand Healthcare Occupations in Central Minnesota, 2025&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th&gt;SOC Code&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Job Title&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Median Wage&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Planning Area Projected Growth Rate&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Education Requirements&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/thead&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;311120&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=311120&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Home Health &amp;amp; Personal Care Aides&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$39,314&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+13.4%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=311120&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;High school diploma or equivalent&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;291141&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=291141&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Registered Nurses&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$105,351&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+7.0%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=291141&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;Associate&apos;s degree&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;311131&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=311131&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Nursing Assistants&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$46,938&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt; &lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=311131&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;Postsecondary non-degree award&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;292061&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=292061&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Licensed Practical Nurses&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$64,250&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+4.9%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=292061&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;Postsecondary non-degree award&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;292053&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=292053&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Psychiatric Technicians&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$49,186&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+5.9%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=292053&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;Postsecondary non-degree award&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;399011&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=399011&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Childcare Workers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$35,980&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+1.8%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=399011&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;High school diploma or equivalent&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;119111&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=119111&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Medical &amp;amp; Health Services Managers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$112,825&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+27.3%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=119111&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;Bachelor&apos;s degree&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;436013&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=436013&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Medical Secretaries &amp;amp; Admin. Assistants&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$50,010&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+6.8%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=436013&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;High school diploma or equivalent&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;211018&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=211018&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Substance abuse, behavioral disorder &amp;amp; mental health counselors&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$58,401&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+18.6%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=211018&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;Postsecondary non-degree award&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;319092&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=319092&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Medical Assistants&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$50,301&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+14.8%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=319092&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;Postsecondary non-degree award&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;211093&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=211093&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Social &amp;amp; Human Service Assistants&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$51,098&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+7.6%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=211093&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;High school diploma or equivalent&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;292052&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=292052&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Pharmacy Technicians&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$49,582&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+6.9%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=292052&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;Postsecondary non-degree award&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;211021&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=211021&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Child, Family &amp;amp; School Social Workers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$66,998&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+5.6%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=211021&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;Bachelor&apos;s degree&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;291051&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=291051&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Pharmacists&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$156,938&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+3.3%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=291051&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;Doctoral or professional degree&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;292034&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=292034&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Radiologic Technologists &amp;amp; Technicians&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$89,630&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+5.2%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=292034&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;Associate&apos;s degree&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;399032&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=399032&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Recreation Workers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$38,240&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+6.2%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=399032&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;High school diploma or equivalent&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;291071&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/detailedOccupationData?code=291071&amp;amp;oidgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Physician Assistants&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;$141,088&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;+29.4%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/CIP_SchoolDetail.aspx?id=291071&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&quot;&gt;Doctoral or professional degree&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan=&quot;5&quot;&gt;Source: DEED Occupations in Demand&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Of those 17, four could be started with a high school diploma or less and some level of on-the-job training, including Home Health and Personal Care Aides, Childcare Workers, Medical Secretaries, Social &amp;amp; Human Service Assistants, and Recreation Workers. Another six typically required a short-term award, like a certificate or other non-degree award that can often be earned in a couple weeks, months, or less than a year, such as Nursing Assistants, Psychiatric Technicians, and Medical Assistants.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The other half require an associate, bachelor&apos;s or doctoral or professional degree. This includes Registered Nurses and Radiologic Technicians at the associate degree level, Health Services Managers and Social Workers at the bachelor&apos;s degree level, and Pharmacists and Physician Assistants that require professional degrees.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about healthcare careers in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>753392</id><pubdate>2026-06-17T14:42:43Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Central Minnesota offers many economic and lifestyle advantages to residents. However, the cost of covering basic needs is higher than some might expect.</Description><Audience/><Title>Making Ends Meet in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>At a Glance: 2025 Employment Change in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2026-05-15 QCEW</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-749605&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2026-05-15T18:18:28Z</Date><ShortDescription>Total employment across all industries increased by just 300 jobs, or 0.1%, slightly slower than Minnesota (+0.3%), showing that the region was largely stable over the year. Beneath </ShortDescription><Subtitle>Central Minnesota’s labor market posted only modest overall growth from 2024 to 2025, but the regional story is far from uniform. </Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota&apos;s labor market posted only modest overall growth from 2024 to 2025, but the regional story is far from uniform. Total employment across all industries increased by just 300 jobs, or 0.1%, slightly slower than Minnesota (+0.3%), showing that the region was largely stable over the year. Beneath that small net gain, however, several industries saw notable growth while others experienced meaningful declines.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Among the strongest percentage gains were in Management of Companies and Arts, Entertainment and Recreation, both up 4.4% over the year. In terms of total job growth, Health Care and Social Assistance posted the largest increase, adding 1,177 jobs, or 2.3%. Other industries with gains included Construction (+206 jobs), Finance and Insurance (+79), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (+76) and Utilities (+21).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;At the same time, several industries lost jobs. The steepest percentage decline came in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, down 3.3% (-216 jobs), followed by Transportation and Warehousing, down 2.8% (-288 jobs) and Information, down 2.2% (-60 jobs). Administrative Support and Waste Management Services also fell 1.8% (-152 jobs), while Manufacturing declined by 1.5% (-638 jobs), representing one of the largest job losses by volume.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Figure 1.&lt;/strong&gt; 2024-2025 Employment Change in Central Minnesota&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/local-look-cen-2026-05-15-figure1_tcm1045-749606.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1&quot; style=&quot;width:100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-05-15-figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Taken together, the data shows a regional economy that is still growing, but at an uneven and historically slow pace. The net gain of 300 jobs marks Central Minnesota&apos;s slowest year of employment growth since 2020, when the region saw employment fall by 5.4 percent during the Pandemic Recession, and before that, the slowest pace since 2010.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Some service-providing industries continue to add jobs, especially Health Care, while other sectors are facing ongoing headwinds. For employers, job seekers, and community leaders, this mix of gains and losses provides an important snapshot of where Central Minnesota&apos;s economy is gaining momentum and where additional challenges remain.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about Central Minnesota&apos;s employment trends, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>749605</id><pubdate>2026-05-27T19:03:43Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Central Minnesota offers many economic and lifestyle advantages to residents. However, the cost of covering basic needs is higher than some might expect.</Description><Audience/><Title>Making Ends Meet in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Making Ends Meet in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2026-04-22 Cost of Living</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-744350&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2026-04-22T18:18:28Z</Date><ShortDescription>However, the cost of covering basic needs is higher than some might expect.</ShortDescription><Subtitle>Central Minnesota offers many economic and lifestyle advantages to residents.</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota offers many economic and lifestyle advantages to residents. For example, many people live within commuting distance to the Twin Cities metro area, allowing workers to access the large Twin Cities labor market while living in less expensive and populated communities. However, the cost of covering basic needs is higher than some might expect. According to DEED&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;/deed/data/data-tools/col/index.jsp&quot; title=&quot;Cost of Living Tool&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;000 Cost of Living GEN&quot;&gt;Cost of Living Tool&lt;/a&gt;, Central Minnesota has the second-highest cost of living among the state&apos;s six planning regions, ranking behind only the Seven-County Twin Cities metro area.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For a household with two full-time workers and two children, the estimated annual cost of living in Central Minnesota is $98,496. That means each worker would need to earn $23.68 per hour to meet basic household expenses. Among the largest monthly costs are housing ($1,864), childcare ($1,298), food ($1,266), and transportation ($1,221). Together, these costs show how quickly everyday expenses can add up for working families. According to &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;wage data&lt;/a&gt;, about half of all jobs in the region have a median wage that would meet these needs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Cost of Living represents neither a poverty living nor a middle-class living but rather a simple living that meets basic needs for health and safety. To meet the mandate of a basic needs living study, the following costs are excluded, even though several may be part of a normal, healthy life: savings, vacations, entertainment, eating out, tobacco and alcohol.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Rather than describing what families are spending, as the Consumer Expenditure Survey does, the &lt;a href=&quot;/deed/assets/COL%202025%20Report_tcm1045-741959.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;col-2025-report&quot;&gt;Cost of Living&lt;/a&gt; study examines the cost of basic needs. For example, we might buy one apple for our two children and split it in half if that&apos;s all we can afford. That&apos;s our spending. But our family actually needs two apples. That&apos;s our basic need. And rather than looking at the rate of change over time as the Consumer Price Index does, the Cost of Living looks at dollar costs. As shoppers, we don&apos;t ask the cashier how many percentage points higher the apple&apos;s price is today than the last time we shopped. We ask: How much does the apple cost?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Using that analysis, data show that the costs can also be steep for a single parent with one child. In Central Minnesota, this household type faces an estimated annual cost of living of $59,796, requiring an hourly wage of $28.75 working full-time, year-round to meet basic needs. In this case, the largest monthly expenses are housing ($1,407), child care ($886), food ($629) and transportation ($624). These figures highlight the financial pressure that can fall on one income when both housing and child care consume large shares of the budget. Around 40% of jobs in Central Minnesota have a median wage high enough to sustain that cost of living.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Figure 1. Cost of Living in Central Minnesota for Two Parents and Two Children, 2025&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/local-look-cen-2026-04-22-figure1_tcm1045-744351.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-04-22-figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Even for a single adult with no children, the cost of living remains significant. In Central Minnesota, a single person aged 19 to 50 faces an estimated yearly cost of $37,332, which would require an hourly wage of $17.95 working full-time, year-round. Housing is the largest expense at $1,119 per month, followed by transportation, food, and taxes. Thankfully, about 82% of jobs in the region have a median wage that could cover the cost to live for a single person.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;These estimates reflect the cost of basic needs rather than discretionary spending, making them a helpful benchmark for understanding economic conditions in the region. They can provide useful context for conversations about wages, workforce challenges, career planning, and community development.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about the cost of living in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>744350</id><pubdate>2026-04-30T14:03:10Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Understanding where young people see their future is critical for workforce and community planning.</Description><Audience/><Title>Where Will Central Minnesota Students Go After High School?</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>The Next Generation of Workers: Central Minnesota Students’ Top Career Interests</Title><title>2026-03-19 Top Career Interests</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-738765&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2026-03-19T18:18:28Z</Date><ShortDescription>Recent survey responses from students across Minnesota – including those in Central Minnesota – provide insight into the types of career fields young people are considering. </ShortDescription><Subtitle>Understanding what careers students are interested in can help educators, workforce partners and employers better prepare for the future workforce. </Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Understanding what careers students are interested in can help educators, workforce partners and employers better prepare for the future workforce. Recent survey responses from students across Minnesota – including those in Central Minnesota – provide insight into the types of career fields young people are considering.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Across Minnesota, Healthcare and Human Services stands out as the most popular career field intention. Nearly 28% of students statewide selected this field as their top interest. Students in Central Minnesota an even slightly stronger interest, with 29% identifying Healthcare and Human Services as the career field they are most interested in pursuing. This aligns closely with the region&apos;s strong demand for healthcare workers, as roughly 18% of employment in the region is in Health Care and Social Assistance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Construction trades also rank highly among student interests. Statewide, 9% of students selected Construction, while 10% of Central Minnesota students expressed interest in the field. This slightly higher local share reflects the region&apos;s strong Construction sector, where 8% of total employment is in Construction compared to 5% statewide.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While some career fields attract strong student interest, others that play an important role in the regional economy appear to have less visibility among students. For example, Advanced Manufacturing received interest from only about 4% of respondents, despite being a major employer across Central Minnesota, providing 15% of regional employment and average wages nearing $70k per year. Similarly, fields such as Marketing and Sales, Supply Chain and Transportation, and Hospitality and Tourism drew interest from relatively small shares of students, despite having lots of jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/local-look-cen-2026-03-19-figure1_tcm1045-738764.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Which Career Field are you most interested in?&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Which Career Field are you most interested in?&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-03-19-figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For industries facing persistent workforce shortages, increasing student awareness may be just as important as increasing training opportunities. These results do not necessarily mean that students would not pursue careers in these industries, but they may suggest that many students are less familiar with the opportunities these fields offer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In regions like Central Minnesota, where Manufacturing and Retail Trade play a critical employment role in the economy, increasing student awareness of these career pathways may be especially important. Efforts such as career exploration programs, employer classroom visits, facility tours, internships, job shadows and youth apprenticeships can help students better understand the variety of opportunities available in these industries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Identifying where student interest is strong – and where awareness may be limited – can help educators, workforce partners, and employers focus outreach efforts to ensure students are exposed to the full range of career opportunities available in the region. I welcome educators, administrators and community members who are interested in learning what their students think to contact me – we can analyze the results and work on ways to increase career awareness.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about student interests and career exploration in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>738765</id><pubdate>2026-04-07T23:10:28Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Understanding where young people see their future is critical for workforce and community planning.</Description><Audience/><Title>Where Will Central Minnesota Students Go After High School?</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Where Will Central Minnesota Students Go After High School?</Title><title>2026-02-20 Student Survey</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-726005&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2026-02-20T19:18:28Z</Date><ShortDescription>A recent student survey across Central Minnesota – covering Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Renville, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties – offers new insight into how students are thinking about life after graduation.</ShortDescription><Subtitle>Understanding where young people see their future is critical for workforce and community planning.</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Understanding where young people see their future is critical for workforce and community planning. A recent student survey across Central Minnesota – covering Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Renville, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties – offers new insight into how students are thinking about life after graduation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Since the beginning of the school year, most responses have come from Sherburne, Wright and Stearns counties, with more limited participation from several rural counties and no responses from students in Kanabec, Pine, Isanti, McLeod or Kandiyohi counties. As additional schools participate, this picture will continue to sharpen. Even at this early stage, however, clear patterns are emerging.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Figure 1.&lt;/strong&gt; Indicated Residency of Responding Students in Central Minnesota, 2025-2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/local-look-cen-2026-02-20-figure1_tcm1045-726024.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1&quot; style=&quot;width: 65%;&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-02-20-figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As shown in Figure 2, when asked where they would prefer to live after high school, nearly one-third (32%) of Central Minnesota 9-12th grade students said they are &quot;not sure.&quot; This uncertainty highlights how many young people are still exploring their options and weighing factors such as education, jobs, housing and family connections.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Figure 2.&lt;/strong&gt; Where do Central Minnesota students want to live after high school?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/local-look-cen-2026-02-20-figure2_tcm1045-726025.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 2&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 2&quot; style=&quot;width: 65%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-02-20-figure2&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Figure 3.&lt;/strong&gt; Where do Minnesota students want to live after high school?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/local-look-cen-2026-02-20-figure3_tcm1045-726026.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 3&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 3&quot; style=&quot;width: 65%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-02-20-figure3&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Interestingly, the distribution of preferences is incredibly similar to the roughly 5,000 survey results statewide (Figure 3). Among students who expressed a preference in Central Minnesota, rural areas stood out. About 21% said they would like to live in a rural area somewhere else, while 18% preferred a large city or metro area. Another 14% hoped to stay in or near their current town and 13% wanted to remain in the same area but not the same community. Only 3% identified the Twin Cities as their preferred destination.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Isolating the results to 12th grade students highlights how plans can change in these formative years. Instead of 32% not sure where they want to live, that share drops to 26% and a larger share indicate they want to live in or near their hometown or a rural place somewhere else as they get closer to graduation. Notably, the share that is interested in moving to the Twin Cities or a large city or metro someplace else remained the same.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;These results challenge the common perception that most students plan to leave for major metropolitan areas. Instead, many appear open to rural and small-town communities—both locally and elsewhere—if opportunities align with their goals. For educators, workforce partners and local leaders, this presents both an opportunity and a responsibility.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Expanding access to career exploration, postsecondary pathways and local work-based learning can help students turn uncertainty into informed choices. Strengthening the connections to local employers and employment opportunities will also be key to retaining and attracting young talent.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As survey participation grows across all Central Minnesota counties, these insights can help guide strategies to build a workforce that reflects students&apos; aspirations and supports long-term regional vitality.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;I welcome educators and administrators who are interested in having their students participate to contact me at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>726005</id><pubdate>2026-02-23T14:53:43Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>A new survey taken in October 2025 of professionals who work directly with businesses – including economic development staff, Chamber staff and employer services staff at Local Workforce Development Areas – offers a timely snapshot of employer sentiment.</Description><Audience/><Title>Pessimistic Outlook, Easier Hiring? What Central Minnesota Employers Are Telling Us</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Pessimistic Outlook, Easier Hiring? What Central Minnesota Employers Are Telling Us</Title><title>2026-01-29 Employers</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-721534&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2026-01-29T19:18:28Z</Date><ShortDescription>A new survey taken in October 2025 of professionals who work directly with businesses – including economic development staff, Chamber staff and employer services staff at Local Workforce Development Areas – offers a timely snapshot of employer sentiment.</ShortDescription><Subtitle>What are employers expecting in the months ahead, and is hiring getting easier or harder than it was a year ago?</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A &lt;a href=&quot;/deed/data/data-tools/employer-experience/index.jsp&quot; title=&quot;Employer Experience Survey&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;000 Employer Experience Survey GEN&quot;&gt;new survey taken in October 2025&lt;/a&gt; of professionals who work directly with businesses – including economic development staff, Chamber staff and employer services staff at Local Workforce Development Areas – offers a timely snapshot of employer sentiment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;These staff across various organizations are privy to a trove of information they glean from their conversations with employers on various topics. This survey is our attempt to provide a platform to share current data about what is on the minds of the employers we work with, with the intent of it being updated twice per year, and the results displayed in &lt;a href=&quot;/deed/data/data-tools/employer-experience/index.jsp&quot; title=&quot;Employer Experience Survey&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;000 Employer Experience Survey GEN&quot;&gt;an interactive Tableau dashboard&lt;/a&gt; that compares results for each of the six planning regions of Minnesota and Minnesota statewide.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In the October 2025 survey, when asked: &quot;Overall, how would you describe employers&apos; outlook for the next six months?&quot; Central Minnesota responses leaned more negative than the state, but also more decisive. In Central, 54% described employer outlook as somewhat pessimistic, while 39% were optimistic (31% somewhat optimistic and 8% very optimistic). Only 8% selected don&apos;t know/unsure, and 0% chose very pessimistic.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/local-look-cen-2026-01-29-figure1_tcm1045-721567.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Overall, how would you describe employers&apos; outlook for the next six months?&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Overall, how would you describe employers&apos; outlook for the next six months?&quot; style=&quot;width: 75%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-01-29-figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Statewide, responses were more mixed and less certain. Across Minnesota, 44% reported employers were somewhat pessimistic, but a much larger share (33%) selected don&apos;t know/unsure. Optimism was lower statewide as well (20% somewhat optimistic and 2% very optimistic). One potential takeaway is that Central Minnesota&apos;s business-facing partners may be hearing clearer signals from employers, while statewide responses reflect a wider range of regional conditions and industries with more uncertainty.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A second question helps explain why outlook can feel cautious even when hiring conditions improve. When asked: &quot;Compared to one year ago, how would you rate employers&apos; ease of hiring?&quot; Central Minnesota respondents were notably more likely to say hiring is getting easier. In Central, 54% said hiring is somewhat easier, and 31% said it is about the same. Only 16% said it is harder (8% much harder and 8% somewhat harder), and 0% selected much easier.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/local-look-cen-2026-01-29-figure2_tcm1045-721568.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 2. On average, compared to 1 year ago, how would you rate employers&apos; ease of hiring for positions they are trying to fill?&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 2. On average, compared to 1 year ago, how would you rate employers&apos; ease of hiring for positions they are trying to fill?&quot; style=&quot;width: 75%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;local-look-cen-2026-01-29-figure2&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Statewide, the picture is less favorable: 35% said hiring is about the same, 31% said it is somewhat harder, and 26% said it is somewhat easier. This may indicate that some areas of Minnesota remain in a tighter labor market, while Central Minnesota may be moving toward a more balanced environment with more available jobseekers. For employers, &quot;easier hiring&quot; can be a relief, but it may also reflect slower growth or softer demand, which could help explain why the outlook remains cautious.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about employer perceptions in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>721534</id><pubdate>2026-01-30T16:45:43Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>A new survey conducted by DEED, in partnership with workforce development organizations across Minnesota, is helping fill a gap in labor market information by sharing their experience of assisting people in finding jobs.</Description><Audience/><Title>The Inside Job Part 2: Which Jobs Are Harder –  or Easier –  to Get in Central Minnesota?</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>The Inside Job Part 3: AI’s Quiet Presence in the Job Search</Title><title>2025-12-31 AI ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-717789&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2025-12-31T19:18:28Z</Date><ShortDescription>When we asked job counselors whether AI has impacted their clients’ job search or employment experiences, the most common response wasn’t yes or no – it was unsure. </ShortDescription><Subtitle>Is artificial intelligence already reshaping the job search – or is it mostly background noise?</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Is artificial intelligence already reshaping the job search – or is it mostly background noise?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;When &lt;a href=&quot;/deed/data/data-tools/job-search-experience/index.jsp&quot; title=&quot;Job Search Experience Survey&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;000 Job Search Experience Survey GEN&quot;&gt;we asked job counselors&lt;/a&gt; whether AI has impacted their clients’ job search or employment experiences, the most common response wasn’t yes or no – it was unsure. Nearly half (45%) said they weren’t certain whether AI has made a difference at all. Another 33% said yes, while 21% said no. The perception mirrors what job counselors said across Minnesota. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;That distribution tells an important story. While headlines often suggest AI is rapidly transforming hiring and work, the on-the-ground experience of job seekers appears far more mixed – and in many cases, unclear. For many clients, AI isn’t showing up as a sweeping disruption. Instead, it’s subtle, uneven and sometimes invisible with potentially frustrating outcomes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Counselors who reported AI has impacted clients often pointed to changes in how people search for jobs – such as increased use of AI-assisted resumes, cover letters and interview prep tools – or how employers screen applications. In an open-ended question about how employment or job search has been impacted there was several that indicated they believe AI is being used to screen out applicants, with the process being suboptimal for both parties. There is fear that qualified candidates are being filtered out because of missing keywords and not being referred to a real person to evaluate. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The largest group – those who were unsure – may be the most telling. AI may be influencing hiring systems and job search tools behind the scenes, but its effects are not always obvious to job seekers or the professionals assisting them. For workforce practitioners, that uncertainty matters. It suggests a need for clearer guidance, better shared understanding, and practical conversations about where AI is actually showing up in the job search – and where it isn’t.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Rather than a sweeping transformation, AI’s role in today’s job search appears incremental, uneven and still taking shape.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/2025-12-31_CEN_figure1_tcm1045-717788.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1 Have your job-seeking clients&apos; employment or job search been affected by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the past three months?&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1 Have your job-seeking clients&apos; employment or job search been affected by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the past three months?&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;2025-12-31_CEN_figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about the job search process in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>717789</id><pubdate>2025-12-31T17:39:46Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>A new survey conducted by DEED, in partnership with workforce development organizations across Minnesota, is helping fill a gap in labor market information by sharing their experience of assisting people in finding jobs.</Description><Audience/><Title>The Inside Job Part 2: Which Jobs Are Harder –  or Easier –  to Get in Central Minnesota?</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>The Inside Job Part 2: Which Jobs Are Harder –  or Easier –  to Get in Central Minnesota?</Title><title>2025-11-19 JSES ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-713691&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2025-11-19T19:18:28Z</Date><ShortDescription>A new Job Seeker Experience survey is helping fill a gap in labor market information.</ShortDescription><Subtitle>Forty-two job counselors shared their insights in the most recent survey</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/deed/newscenter/publications/trends/september-2025/jvs.jsp&quot; title=&quot;Job Vacancy Survey&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;030 Job Vacancy Survey GEN&quot;&gt;A new Job Seeker Experience survey conducted by DEED&lt;/a&gt;, in partnership with workforce development organizations across Minnesota, is helping fill a gap in labor market information by sharing their experience of assisting people in finding jobs. Forty-two job counselors who help job seekers find employment in Central Minnesota from DEED, &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cmjts.org/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota Jobs and Training&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;https://careersolutionsjobs.org/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Career Solutions&lt;/a&gt; and other organizations shared their insights in the most recent survey, which was completed in July. More than 300 responses were received statewide. This blog is the second in a series that will highlight various components of the survey.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Job counselors were asked which types of jobs have become &lt;strong&gt;considerably easier&lt;/strong&gt; or &lt;strong&gt;considerably harder&lt;/strong&gt; for their clients to get hired into compared to a year ago. Their responses provide valuable, ground-level insight into how hiring conditions vary across occupations in Central Minnesota – and how those trends compare to the state overall. Figure 1 shows some notable patterns in job searching.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/local-look-cen-2025-11-19-figure1_tcm1045-713694.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1 graph of answers to the question What positions is it considerably harder or easier for your job-seeking clients to get hired for now compared to 1 year ago?&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1 graph of answers to the question What positions is it considerably harder or easier for your job-seeking clients to get hired for now compared to 1 year ago?&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;local-look-cen-2025-11-19-figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Jobs That Are Easier to Get in Central Minnesota&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A few categories clearly stand out as easier for job seekers in the region to get hired in:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Food Service Workers&lt;/strong&gt; (19% say easier to hire compared to last year)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Healthcare Support Workers&lt;/strong&gt; (15%)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cleaning and Maintenance Workers&lt;/strong&gt; (12%)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Production and Manufacturing Workers&lt;/strong&gt; (9%)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Drivers and Movers&lt;/strong&gt; (11%)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;These results closely mirror statewide findings. Food service, healthcare support and cleaning/maintenance roles consistently show strong hiring demand and numerous job openings, and Central Minnesota counselors report similar patterns.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Jobs That Are Harder to Get in Central Minnesota&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Counselors also identified several occupations where job seekers are finding it significantly harder to get hired. The biggest challenges were reported in:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Creative Professionals&lt;/strong&gt; (11% say harder to get hired)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;IT and Math Experts&lt;/strong&gt; (11%)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Office Support Staff&lt;/strong&gt; (11%)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sales Professionals&lt;/strong&gt; (10%)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Business and Finance Professionals&lt;/strong&gt; (10%)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;There were also a couple categories where Central was different from the state:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Office Support Workers:&lt;/strong&gt; More counselors in Central Minnesota say it&apos;s harder for clients to get hired (11%) and fewer say it&apos;s easier (2%) compared to statewide results.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Food Service:&lt;/strong&gt; Central shows even stronger &quot;easier to get&quot; responses (19% vs. 15% statewide), reinforcing the region&apos;s high demand in hospitality and food service.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Overall, the findings suggest that Central Minnesota&apos;s labor market continues to show &lt;strong&gt;strong demand in frontline, service and production roles&lt;/strong&gt;, while more specialized occupations – particularly in office settings, IT, creative fields and management – are seeing tighter competition for available openings.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about job market conditions in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>713691</id><pubdate>2025-11-20T17:08:33Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>A new survey conducted by DEED, in partnership with workforce development organizations across Minnesota, is helping fill a gap in labor market information by sharing their experience of assisting people in finding jobs.</Description><Audience/><Title>The Inside Job: Job Counselors’ Take on Central Minnesota’s Labor Market</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>The Inside Job: Job Counselors’ Take on Central Minnesota’s Labor Market</Title><title>2025-10-16 Job Search ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-710487&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2025-10-23T16:54:03Z</Date><ShortDescription>A new survey conducted by DEED, in partnership with workforce development organizations across Minnesota, is helping fill a gap in labor market information by sharing their experience of assisting people in finding jobs.</ShortDescription><Subtitle>This blog is a first in a series that will highlight various components of the survey. </Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;/deed/newscenter/publications/trends/september-2025/jvs.jsp&quot; title=&quot;Job Vacancy Survey&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;030 Job Vacancy Survey GEN&quot;&gt;A new survey conducted by DEED&lt;/a&gt;, in partnership with workforce development organizations across Minnesota, is helping fill a gap in labor market information by sharing their experience of assisting people in finding jobs. Forty-two job counselors who help job seekers find employment in Central Minnesota from DEED, &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cmjts.org/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota Jobs and Training&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://careersolutionsjobs.org/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Career Solutions&lt;/a&gt;, and other organizations shared their insights in the most recent survey, which was completed in July. More than 300 responses were received statewide. This blog is a first in a series that will highlight various components of the survey.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Participants were encouraged to share their experiences candidly, creating a &lt;a href=&quot;/deed/data/data-tools/job-search-experience/index.jsp&quot; title=&quot;Job Search Experience Survey&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;000 Job Search Experience Survey GEN&quot;&gt;novel dataset&lt;/a&gt; that offers a timely and unique perspective on Minnesota&apos;s labor market. The results are intended to complement other major economic datasets and will be shared with partners twice per year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Counselor Insights&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;When asked how easy it was for job seekers to get hired compared to a year ago, counselors in Central Minnesota largely echoed statewide trends: it&apos;s slightly harder for most job seekers to find employment than it was a year earlier. However, the regional responses suggest the labor market remains somewhat more favorable for job seekers in Central Minnesota than statewide.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A smaller share of counselors in the region said their clients are finding it &quot;much harder&quot; to get hired compared to a year ago. Yet fewer also said it&apos;s &quot;somewhat easier.&quot; The biggest gap was among those who said it&apos;s &quot;about the same&quot; as last year, while a modest share said it&apos;s &quot;somewhat harder&quot; (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/101625_CEN_figure1_tcm1045-710486.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;101625_CEN_figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The insights shared by job counselors generally align with what other economic datasets show in 2025. Despite market volatility and headlines about &quot;uncertainty,&quot; the lived experience for job seekers is only slightly tougher than a year ago, showing only a minor downturn. From January through August, Central Minnesota&apos;s unemployment rate averaged 4.3%, up from 3.8% during the same period last year, a 12% increase. That modest rise makes it &quot;somewhat harder&quot; to find a job, but far from a gloomy labor market.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For perspective, the unemployment rate for the same period in 2019 was 4.0%, near the end of the longest economic expansion in U.S. history and one of the strongest job markets most people had ever seen. Perceptions, however, are shaped by recency. In the aftermath of the Pandemic Recession, employers faced an all-out scramble to hire. The labor market of 2022–2023 was historically tight – unsustainably so. As conditions normalize, the return to balance can feel uneasy, even if it signals a healthier, more stable job market ahead.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about the job market in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>710487</id><pubdate>2025-10-23T16:40:47Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Manufacturing is a powerhouse in Central Minnesota’s economy, accounting for more than one in every seven jobs in the region.</Description><Audience/><Title>Building Your Future: Manufacturing Careers in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Building Your Future: Manufacturing Careers in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2025-09-15 Manufacturing ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-706378&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2025-09-15T16:54:03Z</Date><ShortDescription>In 2024, Central Minnesota was home to nearly 1,200 manufacturing establishments employing around 41,000 people. </ShortDescription><Subtitle>Manufacturing is a powerhouse in Central Minnesota’s economy, accounting for more than one in every seven jobs in the region.</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Manufacturing is a powerhouse in Central Minnesota&apos;s economy, accounting for more than one in every seven jobs in the region. In 2024, Central Minnesota was home to nearly 1,200 manufacturing establishments employing around 41,000 people.  That&apos;s significantly above the statewide concentration and reflects the vital role manufacturing plays in the regional economy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Across the state, manufacturing remains Minnesota&apos;s second‑largest employer, contributing 11% of all jobs, or one in every nine jobs. At the same time, modern production has evolved: these jobs require more skills, technical training, and offer solid career ladders, from machine operators and production technicians to engineers and managers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Figure 1 illustrates the broad variety of manufacturing activity in Central Minnesota, with jobs spread across specialties as varied as Food Manufacturing, Transportation Equipment Manufacturing, Paper Manufacturing, and Chemical Manufacturing. At $69,212 per year, Manufacturing offers average annual wages well above the $56,940 average across the entire regional economy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/091825_CEN_figure1_tcm1045-706371.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Manufacturing Employment and Average Wages in 2024&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Manufacturing Employment and Average Wages in 2024&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;091825_CEN_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Source: DEED, QCEW&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Recent trends confirm strong demand: Central Minnesota posted nearly 1,200 manufacturing openings in 2024, with starting wages typically just over $21.50 per hour, or nearly $45,000 per year for a full-time worker.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Local wages are competitive: in Central Minnesota, production occupations typically pay roughly $20 per hour for people early in their career to nearly $35 per hour for manufacturing workers who have mastered skills and gained experience. Figure 2 highlights some of the most in demand occupations in Manufacturing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/091825_CEN_figure2_tcm1045-706372.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Manufacturing Occupations in Highest Demand&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Manufacturing Occupations in Highest Demand&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;091825_CEN_figure2&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Source: DEED, Career Pathways&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To attract more workers, communities are actively partnering with schools and associations like the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.midwestmanufacturers.com/cmma/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association (CMMA)&lt;/a&gt;  and &lt;a href=&quot;https://vexmn.com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Vex Robotics&lt;/a&gt; to promote youth apprenticeships, summer camps and K‑12 STEM initiatives tied to manufacturing. These programs give high school students hands-on access to equipment, engineering, robotics and career exposure, bridging classroom learning with real-world jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Manufacturing in Central Minnesota provides a compelling mix of good pay, technical learning, purposeful work and strong community support. Whether you&apos;re drawn to hands-on work with machinery, digital fabrication, quality control or engineering, there&apos;s a place for you in building the region&apos;s innovation and your future.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;And if manufacturing isn&apos;t a part of your long-term goals, you will find that careers in manufacturing offer opportunities to find success in a variety of future career paths, from marketing, human resources, sales and management to accounting, production and logistics.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For students contemplating what&apos;s next for them, this &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rNb-aefpMk&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Launch Your Future Today&lt;/a&gt; video helps think through various paths to success following high school. October is Manufacturing Month in Minnesota, and you can find resources, including information about career exploration and hiring events, being highlighted throughout the month and around the state at &lt;a href=&quot;https://careerforce.mn.gov/industry/manufacturing/manufacturing&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForce.MN.gov/Manufacturing&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about manufacturing and Manufacturing Month in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Griener at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>706378</id><pubdate>2025-09-24T20:25:04Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>The pandemic laid bare just how dependent our lives are on logistics.</Description><Audience/><Title>Logistics at a Crossroads: Central Minnesota&apos;s Supply Chain Struggles and Strengths</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Logistics at a Crossroads: Central Minnesota&apos;s Supply Chain Struggles and Strengths</Title><title>2025-08-26 Crossroads ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-703376&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2025-08-27T16:54:03Z</Date><ShortDescription>Whether it&apos;s the movement of goods across the country or the last-mile delivery to your doorstep, the Transportation &amp; Warehousing sector, long operating behind the scenes, has become one of the most visible and critical components of the modern economy.</ShortDescription><Subtitle>The pandemic laid bare just how dependent our lives are on logistics</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The pandemic laid bare just how dependent our lives are on logistics. Whether it&apos;s the movement of goods across the country or the last-mile delivery to your doorstep, the Transportation &amp;amp; Warehousing sector, long operating behind the scenes, has become one of the most visible and critical components of the modern economy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In Central Minnesota, this sector plays an indispensable role in supporting supply chains across every other industry sector. Yet, despite skyrocketing demand for goods movement, the region&apos;s logistics backbone became strained in 2020 after shedding more than 350 jobs. However, the drop was quick to reverse and by the end of last year the Transportation &amp;amp; Warehousing sector hit a new all-time employment high in the region, with just under 10,250 jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/082625_CEN_figure1_tcm1045-703257.png&quot; title=&quot;Transportation and Warehousing Employment Trends&quot; alt=&quot;Transportation and Warehousing Employment Trends&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;082625_CEN_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Companies are ready to ship their goods, but the industry is struggling to find the people to do the shipping. A pre-existing shortage of qualified transportation workers – especially CDL drivers – was exacerbated by the pandemic, with &lt;strong&gt;about 12,000 workers exiting the Central Minnesota labor force&lt;/strong&gt; between December 2019 and December 2021.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;But the logistics picture is more nuanced than a simple decline. Different segments of the supply chain saw &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/qcew/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;different trajectories&lt;/a&gt; (see Figure 2). For example:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Courier &amp;amp; Messenger services&lt;/strong&gt;, which handle last-mile delivery for e-commerce, added &lt;strong&gt;351 jobs&lt;/strong&gt; – a &lt;strong&gt;36% gain&lt;/strong&gt; – as demand for home delivery surged.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;In contrast the largest subsector, &lt;strong&gt;Truck Transportation&lt;/strong&gt;, still has &lt;strong&gt;315 fewer jobs&lt;/strong&gt; at the beginning of 2025 compared to the beginning of 2019, a &lt;strong&gt;decline of 7.5%.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Warehousing&lt;/strong&gt; is down 17% due to 90 fewer jobs in the subsector.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;In contrast, &lt;strong&gt;Support Activities for Transportation&lt;/strong&gt; grew a staggering &lt;strong&gt;59%,&lt;/strong&gt; signaling a shift in the logistics of goods across the region.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/082625_CEN_figure2_tcm1045-703258.png&quot; title=&quot;1st Quarter Change&quot; alt=&quot;1st Quarter Change&quot; style=&quot;width: 95%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;082625_CEN_figure2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In 2024 and 2025, some of the logistical challenges of transporting goods have eased up, with record high numbers of &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;job openings&lt;/a&gt; in 2021 and 2022 returning to the levels of 2018 and 2019. While still elevated, they appear manageable compared to 2021 when job openings for Transportation &amp;amp; Material Moving occupations more than doubled.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A decline in employment doesn&apos;t always mean there is low demand by employers, rather it could be a symptom of hiring challenges. Figure 3 illustrates the &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oid/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;highest demand occupations&lt;/a&gt; in the Transportation cluster in Central Minnesota. Note how the 6th most demanded occupation overall is Heavy &amp;amp; Tractor Trailer Truck Drivers, yet the ground transportation industry is off by more than 300 jobs. This mismatch could be the result of openings going unfilled as drivers exit the labor force or the occupation for something else.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/082625_CEN_figure3_tcm1045-703259.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Occupations in Demand&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Occupations in Demand&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;082625_CEN_figure3&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Among those roles, &lt;strong&gt;CDL Truck Drivers&lt;/strong&gt; are especially critical. With &lt;strong&gt;nearly 5,400 jobs&lt;/strong&gt; in the region and a &lt;strong&gt;median wage just under $61,000&lt;/strong&gt;, truck driving offers a stable, well-paying career path – often requiring less than a year of training. Importantly, these wage figures don&apos;t reflect income for &lt;strong&gt;self-employed drivers&lt;/strong&gt;, who often command higher rates.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Other high-demand logistics roles include &lt;strong&gt;Stockers &amp;amp; Order Fillers&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Material Moving Laborers&lt;/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;Light Truck Drivers&lt;/strong&gt; – all essential to warehousing and distribution operations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Logistics has never been more central to how our economy works, or how it recovers. To meet rising consumer and business demand, Central Minnesota&apos;s supply chain needs more than trucks and warehouses. It needs people. And getting them into the pipeline – whether through training, upskilling or better pay – is the next essential move in transporting the recovery forward.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about the Transportation &amp;amp; Warehousing industry in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>703376</id><pubdate>2025-08-27T17:49:02Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Residents in Minnesota’s Central regional labor market can face different financial realities depending on the county they live in and, compared to other labor markets across the state, Central lands near the top of the cost spectrum.</Description><Audience/><Title>How Central Minnesota’s Cost of Living Stacks Up</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>How Central Minnesota&apos;s Cost of Living Stacks Up</Title><title>2025-07-20 Cost of Living ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-699251&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2025-07-23T16:54:03Z</Date><ShortDescription>Compared to other labor markets across the state, Central lands near the top of the cost spectrum.</ShortDescription><Subtitle>Residents in Minnesota’s Central regional labor market can face different financial realities depending on the county they live in</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Residents in Minnesota’s Central regional labor market can face different financial realities depending on the county they live in and, compared to other labor markets across the state, Central lands near the top of the cost spectrum.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The average &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/col/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;cost of living&lt;/a&gt; for a household in Central Minnesota is about $69k per year for a typical Minnesota family, consisting of two adults with one full-time worker, one part-time worker and one child. That’s higher than in Southwest ($57k), Northwest ($60k), Northeast ($61k) and Southeast ($63K); but notably lower than the Twin Cities metro, which tops the list at $76.5k annually.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;However, within the Central region, there’s wide variation:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Sherburne County is the most expensive locally, averaging $75,708 per year.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Benton and Stearns counties – home to the St. Cloud area – are more affordable, at around $62,500.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Kandiyohi County offers one of the lowest costs in the region at $56,011.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/072225_CEN_figure1_tcm1045-699252.png&quot; title=&quot;Cost of Living in Central Minnesota, Two Full-Time Workers and One Child&quot; alt=&quot;Cost of Living in Central Minnesota, Two Full-Time Workers and One Child&quot; style=&quot;width: 75%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;072225_CEN_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Across Central Minnesota and the rest of the state, the largest contributors to household budgets are consistent: housing, childcare, food and transportation. However, their relative impact varies by region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In Central Minnesota counties like Sherburne and Wright, housing costs are among the highest in the region, reflecting proximity to the Twin Cities and suburban growth. Families there often pay over $1,500 per month for housing. Meanwhile, counties like Kandiyohi and Renville offer lower housing costs, helping keep total living expenses under $60,000 per year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Childcare is another major cost driver across all counties, particularly for families with multiple children – consistently exceeding $600 per month regardless of location. The southwestern area of Central Minnesota is more affordable, averaging roughly $650 for full-time care for one child, while counties to the east typically cost well over $800 per month.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Compared to the Twin Cities metro, where nearly every cost category is more expensive, Central Minnesota strikes a balance. The region’s cost structure blends elements of urban access and rural affordability, but for many families – especially those with children – high childcare and transportation costs continue to stretch household budgets thin.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Some solutions are within reach for Central Minnesota’s workers. Remote and hybrid work can help reduce childcare needs while keeping parents engaged in the labor force. Likewise, transportation costs can be trimmed when jobs are available closer to home, especially in occupations that match workers&apos; skills and goals. As families evaluate their options and chart a course forward, the cost of living remains a key factor in how they navigate opportunity, stability and success in the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about the cost of living in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>699251</id><pubdate>2025-07-23T13:26:48Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Over the past decade, Central Minnesota has remained one of the state’s strongest labor force performers.</Description><Audience/><Title>Central Minnesota&apos;s Labor Force Outpaces Statewide Growth</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota&apos;s Labor Force Outpaces Statewide Growth</Title><title>2025-06-20 Growth ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-696200&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2025-07-03T16:54:03Z</Date><ShortDescription>Despite economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the region not only weathered the storm better than the state overall but has also shown stronger and more consistent labor force growth in most years. </ShortDescription><Subtitle>Over the past decade, Central Minnesota has remained one of the state’s strongest labor force performers.</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Over the past decade, Central Minnesota has remained one of the state&apos;s strongest labor force performers. Despite economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the region not only weathered the storm better than the state overall but has also shown stronger and more consistent labor force growth in most years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Comparing the size of the &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/laus/&quot;&gt;labor force&lt;/a&gt; in the first quarter of 2016 to the first quarter of 2025, Central Minnesota added more than 27,000 workers, growing from 384,706 to 411,724 workers. By contrast, the statewide labor force grew by about 132,000 workers, from just over 3 million to 3.15 million. Minnesota has seen a respectable gain, with Central leading the way, accounting for over one-fifth of total labor force growth in the state (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/070325_CEN_Figure1_tcm1045-696201.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1 - Change in Available Labor Force&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1 - Change in Available Labor Force&quot; style=&quot;width: 95%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;070325_CEN_Figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A closer look at the year-over-year trends shows that Central Minnesota outpaced statewide growth in 7 out of the past 9 years. The region&apos;s labor force expanded at a faster rate in 2017, 2019, 2020 and in each of the three years following the pandemic&apos;s initial disruption, in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Of particular note:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;In 2020, just before the pandemic struck, Central&apos;s labor force grew by 1.5%, compared to 1.1% statewide.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;In 2022, as the recovery gained steam, Central&apos;s labor force grew 1.3%, while the state only saw a 0.7% increase.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;In 2023, Central Minnesota&apos;s labor force jumped by 2.0%, almost double the state&apos;s 1.1% growth rate.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This consistent pattern reflects a region with a strong foundation in both population and economic development, positioning it well to meet labor market needs now and into the future. Several underlying factors help explain why Central Minnesota is growing faster than the state overall:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Population Growth &amp;amp; In-Migration&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;margin-left: 80px;&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As housing costs continue to rise in the Twin Cities, more individuals and families are moving to nearby communities in Central Minnesota. The region boasts many fast-growing cities that offer more affordable housing, easy commutes and high quality of life. Remote work has further accelerated this trend.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol start=&quot;2&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/regional-lmi/central-lmi.jsp&quot;&gt;Economic Diversification&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;margin-left: 80px;&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota is home to a robust mix of industries, including Health Care, Manufacturing, Retail Trade, Educational Services and Transportation &amp;amp; Warehousing. This diversification protects the region from the volatility of relying too heavily on one industry and provides employment opportunities across a range of skill levels.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol start=&quot;3&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Access to Education and Workforce Pipelines&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;margin-left: 80px;&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The region&apos;s colleges and technical schools feed directly into the local economy. Strong partnerships between education and employers help align curriculum with workforce needs and provide local workers with training for high-demand jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol start=&quot;4&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Supportive Infrastructure for Workforce Development&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p style=&quot;margin-left: 80px;&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota benefits from a coordinated network of &lt;a href=&quot;https://careerforce.mn.gov/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForce locations&lt;/a&gt;, regional planning organizations and industry partnerships that support workforce engagement, especially among youth, mid-career workers and underserved populations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota&apos;s labor force reached an all-time high of 411,724 workers in the first quarter of 2025, a clear sign of recovery and growth. As the region looks ahead, it will face familiar challenges: attracting young talent, addressing &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/central/central-blog.jsp?id=1045-607899&quot;&gt;child care&lt;/a&gt; and housing shortages, and supporting workforce participation among older adults and diverse populations. But the track record speaks for itself: Central Minnesota is not just growing, it&apos;s growing in a way that&apos;s both rapid and resilient.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information on labor force growth in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>696200</id><pubdate>2025-07-03T17:43:13Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Central Minnesota&apos;s healthcare sector is experiencing significant growth, offering a wide array of employment opportunities across various roles, wage levels and educational requirements.</Description><Audience/><Title>Healthcare Job Openings in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Healthcare Job Openings in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2025-05-09 Healthcare ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-684830&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2025-05-20T16:54:03Z</Date><ShortDescription>Central Minnesota&apos;s healthcare sector is experiencing significant growth, offering a wide array of employment opportunities across various roles, wage levels and educational requirements.</ShortDescription><Subtitle>Central Minnesota&apos;s healthcare sector is experiencing significant growth</Subtitle><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota&apos;s healthcare sector is experiencing significant growth, offering a wide array of employment opportunities across various roles, wage levels and educational requirements. This expansion is driven by an aging population and an increased demand for healthcare services, making it an opportune time for individuals to pursue careers in this field. Across the many different healthcare-related occupations, there were typically just over 2,800 openings at any given time during 2024, a historically high amount.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Entry-level positions such as &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=311120&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Home Health Aides &amp;amp; Personal Care Aides&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=311131&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Nursing Assistants&lt;/a&gt; are among the most in-demand roles in the region. These positions typically require minimal formal education to get hired, often just a high school diploma or equivalent, and offer starting wages around $19 per hour. While these roles provide essential services and offer flexibility, they may present challenges related to compensation and part-time hours.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For those seeking roles with higher compensation and greater responsibilities, positions like &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=291141&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Registered Nurses (RNs)&lt;/a&gt; are highly sought after. RNs in Central Minnesota earn a median wage exceeding $101,000 annually and can enter the field with an associate degree and expect starting wages near $40 an hour. Advanced roles such as &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=291171&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Nurse Practitioners&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=291071&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Physician Assistants&lt;/a&gt; require an advanced degree and have starting wage offers at roughly $61 and $53 per hour, respectively.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Health Care industry in Central Minnesota also encompasses specialized positions like &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=291181&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Audiologists&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=292031&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Cardiovascular Technologists&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=292010&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Clinical Laboratory Technicians&lt;/a&gt;. These roles demand specific educational backgrounds, ranging from doctoral to associate degrees, and offer competitive wages reflective of their specialized skills.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Overall, the healthcare landscape in Central Minnesota presents diverse career paths catering to various educational backgrounds and professional aspirations. Whether entering the workforce or seeking advancement, individuals can find rewarding opportunities that align with their goals and contribute meaningfully to community health (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;If you’d like to find out more about Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance career opportunities in Minnesota or if you are an employer looking to hire workers, contact staff at a &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/locations&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForce location&lt;/a&gt; near you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;tableauPlaceholder&quot; id=&quot;viz1747762373827&quot; style=&quot;position: relative; width: 100%; height: 1294.5px; overflow: hidden; display: block;&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;noscript&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;#&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;2024 Healthcare Job Openings in Central Minnesota &quot; src=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/static/images/20/2025GreinerMayLocalLook/Sheet8/1_rss.png&quot; style=&quot;border: none&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/noscript&gt; &lt;script src=&quot;//public.tableau.com/javascripts/api/viz_v1.js&quot; type=&quot;text/javascript&quot;&gt;
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                    var divElement = document.getElementById(&apos;viz1747762373827&apos;);                    var vizElement = divElement.getElementsByTagName(&apos;object&apos;)[0];                    vizElement.style.width=&apos;100%&apos;;vizElement.style.height=(divElement.offsetWidth*0.75)+&apos;px&apos;;                    var scriptElement = document.createElement(&apos;script&apos;);                    scriptElement.src = &apos;//public.tableau.com/javascripts/api/viz_v1.js&apos;;                    vizElement.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, vizElement);                &lt;/script&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>684830</id><pubdate>2025-05-21T14:40:06Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>With many of our nation’s largest financial institutions now forecasting the probability of a U.S. recession rising to 40%-50% in the next year, it is worth examining what happened during the Great Recession in Central Minnesota.</Description><Audience/><Title>Looking Back at the Great Recession</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Looking Back at the Great Recession</Title><title>2025-04-11 Recession ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-680260&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2025-04-23T16:54:03Z</Date><ShortDescription>With many of our nation’s largest financial institutions now forecasting the probability of a U.S. recession rising to 40%-50% in the next year, it is worth examining what happened during the Great Recession in Central Minnesota.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.reuters.com/markets/jpmorgan-lifts-global-recession-odds-60-us-tariffs-stoke-fears-2025-04-04/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;With many of our nation&apos;s largest financial institutions now forecasting the probability of a U.S. recession rising to 40%-50% in the next year&lt;/a&gt;, it is worth examining what happened during the Great Recession in Central Minnesota. Although each recession is unique both in the cause and impact, certain sectors were more prone to challenges during the Great Recession of 2007–2009, with significant job losses reshaping the economic landscape. However, amidst these declines, certain industries also demonstrated resilience and growth, offering valuable insights into the region&apos;s adaptability.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In order to isolate the effect of the Great Recession, we chose to compare the year prior to the start (2006) with the year after the end (2010). Employers in the region cut 12,370 jobs, a -4.8% drop. Of the 20 main industries, Manufacturing and Construction were hit hardest, accounting for nearly all of the net job losses in the region. Manufacturing declined by almost 18%, shedding close to 7,600 jobs, with subsectors like Apparel Manufacturing (-61%), Computer &amp;amp; Electronic Products (-48%), Textiles (-48%) and Furniture Manufacturing (-52%) suffering the most. Construction faced a staggering 30% decline, erasing over 4,800 jobs. Other sectors also contracted as consumers cut back: Retail Trade lost 7% of its workforce (-2,448 jobs), Accommodation &amp;amp; Food Services declined by 8% (-1,759 jobs), and Mining saw a 34% drop (-134 jobs).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Despite these losses, almost half of the region&apos;s major industries actually added jobs. Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance stood out with a remarkable growth (17%) due to every component of this sector expanding by more than 10%, including Ambulatory Health Care Services, Hospitals, Nursing &amp;amp; Residential Care Facilities, and Social Assistance. In sum, Health Care added more than 5,300 jobs from 2006 to 2010. Educational Services saw the second largest gain, adding almost 600 jobs despite the recession.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;On a smaller scale, Agriculture also grew by 10% (+348 jobs), and Utilities increased by 6% (+139 jobs). At a more detailed level, other notable growth areas included Warehousing &amp;amp; Storage (+128%), Publishing (+33%), Chemical Manufacturing (+28%), Broadcasting (+22%), and Beverage Manufacturing (+22%).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/042125_CEN_Figure1_tcm1045-680273.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Employment Change from the Great Recession&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Employment Change from the Great Recession&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;042125_CEN_Figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In the midst of job losses, Workforce Development programs played a critical role in helping displaced workers transition out of unemployment into growing industries like Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance. This shift highlighted the importance of aligning training initiatives with emerging economic opportunities to foster resilience during downturns. In good economic times or bad, &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cmjts.org/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota Jobs &amp;amp; Training Services (CMJTS)&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://careersolutionsjobs.org/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Career Solutions&lt;/a&gt; work hard to connect jobseekers with the resources needed to identify a career pathway, continue building and developing their skills, and find the right job.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While predicting future downturns is a fool&apos;s errand, we know, without a doubt, that workforce development infrastructure built during times of crisis will continue to play an important role during times of uncertainty. In addition to lessons learned from past downturns, labor market information can help inform strategies to navigate each changing business cycle. We work closely with our workforce development partners to help jobseekers find what they need.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>680260</id><pubdate>2025-04-23T14:17:35Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Employment data shows that Central Minnesota has demonstrated economic resilience amid recessions, benefiting from geographic advantages while also facing industry-specific challenges. Unlike some other regions, Central Minnesota experienced job growth during certain downturns, even as key industries like Manufacturing and Retail Trade saw significant job losses.</Description><Audience/><Title>Economic Resilience: How Central Minnesota Navigates Recessions</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Economic Resilience: How Central Minnesota Navigates Recessions</Title><title>2025-03-31 Recessions ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-675833&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2025-03-31T16:54:03Z</Date><ShortDescription>Employment data shows that Central Minnesota has demonstrated economic resilience amid recessions, benefiting from geographic advantages while also facing industry-specific challenges. Unlike some other regions, Central Minnesota experienced job growth during certain downturns, even as key industries like Manufacturing and Retail Trade saw significant job losses.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Employment data shows that Central Minnesota has demonstrated economic resilience amid recessions, benefiting from geographic advantages while also facing industry-specific challenges. Unlike some other regions, Central Minnesota experienced job growth during certain downturns, even as key industries like Manufacturing and Retail Trade saw significant job losses.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Economic Trends During Past Recessions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;During the early 2000&apos;s recession, Central Minnesota&apos;s economy showed mixed employment results. While Manufacturing shed 9% of its workforce from 2000 to 2002, resulting in 4,200 lost jobs, these declines were offset by substantial growth in Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance (+13%), Construction (+15%) and Finance &amp;amp; Insurance (+12%). Interestingly, the region thrived with a 17% job gain at Specialty Trade Contractors and Food &amp;amp; Drinking Places expanded by 8% as the region&apos;s population continued increasing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Great Recession in 2008, however, brought more severe job losses. Construction and Manufacturing were hit hardest, losing 30% and 18% of jobs, respectively, from 2006 to 2010. The combined loss of nearly 12,500 jobs in these sectors accounted for the majority of Central Minnesota&apos;s overall employment decline during this time frame. Retail Trade and Accommodation &amp;amp; Food Services also suffered, while industries like Warehousing (+128%) and Chemical Manufacturing (+28%) saw unexpected growth. Health Care remained a beacon of stability in the region, growing 17% and reinforcing its reputation as a recession-proof industry (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/033125_CEN_figure1_tcm1045-675836.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1: Private Sector Employment Change Over Recession Periods, Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1: Private Sector Employment Change Over Recession Periods, Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;033125_CEN_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Pandemic Recession&apos;s Unique Impact&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic created a different economic shock, with strict lockdowns leading to employment declines in traditionally stable industries. Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance, usually recession-resistant, lost nearly 800 jobs from 2019 to 2021. Manufacturing declined by 5%, while the hardest-hit sectors were Arts, Entertainment &amp;amp; Recreation (-13%), Accommodation &amp;amp; Food Services (-10%), Other Services (-10%), and Real Estate, Rental &amp;amp; Leasing (-11%). Meanwhile, industries like Internet Services (+54%) and Courier Services (+25%) saw rapid expansion due to shifting consumer demands.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Recession-Resistant Industries&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Despite economic downturns, some sectors have consistently added jobs. For example, Agriculture, Health &amp;amp; Personal Care Stores and Ambulatory Health Services have grown in Central Minnesota through multiple recessions. Understanding these resilient industries can guide workforce development strategies to ensure long-term economic stability in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information about employment trends in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>675833</id><pubdate>2025-03-31T17:09:46Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Have you ever wondered what careers keep Central Minnesota thriving?</Description><Audience/><Title>Where Central Minnesota Works: The Top 20 Occupations You Should Know</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Where Central Minnesota Works: The Top 20 Occupations You Should Know</Title><title>2025-02-19 Occupations ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-669850&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2025-02-19T20:38:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Have you ever wondered what careers keep Central Minnesota thriving?</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Have you ever wondered what careers keep Central Minnesota thriving? From the larger cities and regional hubs to towns from Askov to Zimmerman, what people do for work is as varied as the landscapes. Understanding the most common occupations in the area provides valuable insight into the local economy, industries, and opportunities. Whether you&apos;re a job seeker, a student planning your career path, or simply curious about the details of our economy, this list of the top 20 most common occupations in Central Minnesota paints a vivid picture of where people work and how they contribute to the region&apos;s success.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/021925_CEN_figure1_tcm1045-669869.png&quot; title=&quot;Top Twenty Most Common Jobs in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Top Twenty Most Common Jobs in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 95%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;021925_CEN_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;At the heart of the workforce are retail and service-oriented jobs, such as &lt;strong&gt;cashiers&lt;/strong&gt; (8,160 workers) and &lt;strong&gt;retail salespersons&lt;/strong&gt; (7,410 workers), who collectively support local businesses and provide essential services to customers. These roles, while requiring minimal education, offer opportunities for entry-level workers and serve as a gateway to broader career growth.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A notable feature of the region&apos;s labor market is its accessibility: 16 of the 20 most common jobs require only a high school diploma or equivalent for entry. These include roles like &lt;strong&gt;fast food and counter workers&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;office clerks&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;stockers and order fillers&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;janitors&lt;/strong&gt;, and &lt;strong&gt;construction laborers&lt;/strong&gt;, providing abundant opportunities for individuals without advanced degrees. These positions can serve as stepping stones to more specialized or managerial roles, offering valuable on-the-job experience.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Healthcare remains a cornerstone of the region&apos;s economy. &lt;strong&gt;Registered nurses&lt;/strong&gt; (6,030 workers) and &lt;strong&gt;nursing assistants&lt;/strong&gt; (3,370 workers) play critical roles in maintaining the health and well-being of the community. Logistics also plays a vital part, with &lt;strong&gt;truck drivers&lt;/strong&gt; (5,460 workers) and &lt;strong&gt;laborers and material movers&lt;/strong&gt; (5,420 workers) ensuring the smooth movement of goods across the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Registered nurses&lt;/strong&gt;, who earn a median wage of $46.77/hour, require at least an associate&apos;s degree, while &lt;strong&gt;general and operations managers&lt;/strong&gt;, with a median wage of $39.83/hour, usually need a bachelor&apos;s degree. Meanwhile, jobs such as &lt;strong&gt;truck drivers&lt;/strong&gt; ($29.30) and &lt;strong&gt;nursing assistants&lt;/strong&gt; ($19.37) require postsecondary certifications, not necessarily any college experience, but offer lower wages.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Overall, Central Minnesota&apos;s workforce offers a wealth of opportunities across various occupations, with accessible entry points for workers at all education levels, making it a dynamic and thriving hub of employment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner and Emily Davis</Author><id>669850</id><pubdate>2025-02-19T19:19:35Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>A small but highly lucrative industry, Central Minnesota is home to approximately 1,400 jobs at 14 establishments in the Electric Power Generation sector, accounting for just 0.5% of the region&apos;s total employment.</Description><Audience/><Title>Central Minnesota&apos;s Electrical Energy Generation Employment</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota&apos;s Electrical Energy Generation Employment</Title><title>2025-01-31 Electric ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-667455&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2025-01-31T20:38:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>A small but highly lucrative industry, Central Minnesota is home to approximately 1,400 jobs at 14 establishments in the Electric Power Generation sector, accounting for just 0.5% of the region&apos;s total employment.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A small but highly lucrative industry, Central Minnesota is home to approximately 1,400 jobs at 14 establishments in the Electric Power Generation sector, accounting for just 0.5% of the region&apos;s total employment. In 2023, the average annual wage for these jobs were impressively just over $132,000, which was about $77,500 higher than the average annual wage across all industries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating electric power generation facilities, including water power (i.e., hydroelectric), fossil fuels, nuclear power, and solar power – into electrical energy. The establishments in this industry produce electric energy and provide electricity to transmission systems or to electric power distribution systems.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While the sector has seen a decline since its peak of 1,772 jobs in 2010, there was a notable turnaround in 2022 and 2023, marking the first increase in over a decade. Despite this long period of decline, Central Minnesota still leads the state in the number of jobs in this sector (see Figures 1 and 2). The region also boasts the highest proportion of its workforce employed in electricity generation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/013025_CEN_figure1-2_tcm1045-667585.png&quot; title=&quot;Electric Power Generation Employment&quot; alt=&quot;Electric Power Generation Employment&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;013025_CEN_figure1-2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In addition to these power generation jobs, there are also jobs that are indirectly related. The region also has about 770 jobs in Electric Power Transmission, Control and Distribution, with wages of just under $112,000 per year. Employment has also been declining over time in this subsector, but it is still a vital subsector that supplies high-paying jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;It would be helpful to add, but it is difficult to separate construction employment dedicated to wind or solar energy projects. The closest match dedicated to energy construction is Oil and Gas Pipeline and Related Structures, with 110 jobs in the region, and Power and Communication Line and Related Structures with 1,100 jobs. Unfortunately, it&apos;s not possible to know how many of those jobs are dedicated to communication lines versus power lines.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Some nuances to these employment numbers are what is NOT included. For example, operating trash incinerators that also generate electricity is classified as Waste Treatment and Disposal, and the installation of solar panels are contained in the Building Equipment Contractors subsector; but also contribute to the region&apos;s energy employment picture.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;There are many high-paying opportunities in Central Minnesota. For more information, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt; or visit &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/find-job&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForceMN&apos;s Find a Job&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner and Emily Davis</Author><id>667455</id><pubdate>2025-02-07T16:19:40Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>EPIC (Exploring Potential Interests and Careers) is a vibrant community collaboration in Central Minnesota, committed to delivering engaging, hands-on experiences that empower students to explore and navigate diverse career pathways.</Description><Audience/><Title>Exploring Potential Interests and Careers in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Exploring Potential Interests and Careers in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2024-12-23 EPIC ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-662292&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2024-12-23T20:38:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>EPIC (Exploring Potential Interests and Careers) is a vibrant community collaboration in Central Minnesota, committed to delivering engaging, hands-on experiences that empower students to explore and navigate diverse career pathways.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://epic-mn.com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;EPIC&lt;/a&gt; (Exploring Potential Interests and Careers) is a vibrant community collaboration in Central Minnesota, committed to delivering engaging, hands-on experiences that empower students to explore and navigate diverse career pathways. Established in 2018 by a group of forward-thinking employers in the St. Cloud area, EPIC emerged to fill a critical gap: the need for a dedicated career exploration event for high school students.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;At the heart of EPIC&apos;s mission is &lt;a href=&quot;https://epic-mn.com/student-day/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;EPIC Student Day&lt;/a&gt;, a large-scale, interactive career exploration event primarily for 10th graders, held annually at St. Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC). Since its debut in 2019, when it welcomed 2,250 students and over 100 employers and educators, EPIC Student Day has grown exponentially. Today, it attracts more than 4,500 students from 43 school districts across 33 towns and 11 counties, along with over 150 employers—all coming together for one exhilarating day of career discovery.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;What sets EPIC apart is its hands-on, immersive approach. Unlike traditional career fairs, where students may feel hesitant to engage with employers, EPIC redefines the experience by requiring companies to offer engaging, 10-minute activities tailored to high schoolers. Employers are grouped by &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/career-pathways-tool/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Career Clusters&lt;/a&gt;, encouraging collaboration—even among competitors—to create meaningful, student-centered experiences. This innovative approach breaks down barriers and fosters lasting connections between students and employers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This approach fosters better interactions with employers while aligning with how students prefer to &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/lmi-reports/workforce-path-success/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;explore careers&lt;/a&gt;. A brief survey is sent to students to gather feedback on their experiences and general thoughts about careers. Half of the respondents expressed a desire to learn about careers by hearing directly from professionals in various occupations. Additionally, 17% indicated a preference for taking a careers class. Both preferences highlight the importance of building strong partnerships with employers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/122024_cen_figure1_tcm1045-662295.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1: How Would You Prefer to Learn About Different Careers?&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1: How Would You Prefer to Learn About Different Careers?&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;122024_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Employers eagerly return year after year, not only to connect with future talent but also to support EPIC financially—business donations fund more than 75% of the initiative&apos;s annual budget. They value the opportunity to collaborate with industry peers on creative, impactful activities. One standout example from this year was in the Manufacturing Cluster, where students rotated through stations to build a mini ATV. Local manufacturers teamed up to design the ATV, supply the components, and guide students through the assembly process, offering a real-world glimpse into the manufacturing field.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;One of the most rewarding aspects of EPIC Student Day is witnessing its transformative impact. Watching students&apos; eyes light up as they discover careers they hadn&apos;t considered—or even knew existed—makes all the planning worthwhile. As one student enthusiastically remarked, &lt;em&gt;&quot;It&apos;s so cool that there are so many different careers here, and we get to experience them hands-on.&quot;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;These moments of discovery fuel the passion and ongoing success of EPIC, inspiring students and employers alike year after year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner and Emily Davis</Author><id>662292</id><pubdate>2024-12-30T18:08:45Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>A guide that compliments the interactive Career Pathways tool to highlight some of the hottest jobs in Central Minnesota, offering insights for job seekers and career changers. </Description><Audience/><Title>Your Guide to Career Opportunities in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Your Guide to Career Opportunities in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2024-11-25 Career Pathway ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-655173&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2024-11-25T16:22:26Z</Date><ShortDescription>A guide that compliments the interactive Career Pathways tool to highlight some of the hottest jobs in Central Minnesota, offering insights for job seekers and career changers. </ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota&apos;s job market provides a wide range of occupations experiencing high demand across various career clusters. This guide compliments the interactive &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/career-pathways-tool/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Career Pathways&lt;/a&gt; tool to highlight some of the hottest jobs in the region, offering insights for job seekers and career changers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/112224_cen_figure1_tcm1045-655174.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Occupations in Demand, 2024&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Occupations in Demand, 2024&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;112224_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Marketing and Retail&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Retail Salespersons tops the list of in-demand occupations, with over 7,400 current employees and a projected growth rate of 0.3% over the next decade. The median annual salary for this role is $35,817. Other high-demand positions include Cashiers, First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers, and Sales Representatives.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Health Science&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Healthcare sector continues to be a powerhouse of job opportunities, including high demand openings like Home Health &amp;amp; Personal Care Aides, which has over 10,500 current employees, a 13.4% projected growth rate through 2032 and a median annual salary of $35,952.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Other in-demand roles include Registered Nurses, which has 6,030 employed, a 7% projected growth and a median annual salary of $97,279. Likewise, Licensed Practical Nurses, Medical Secretaries and Pharmacy Technicians are all in high demand as well.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hospitality &amp;amp; Tourism&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Fast Food &amp;amp; Counter Workers rank high in demand in the region, with 6,580 current employees and a 4.7% projected growth rate. The median annual salary is $30,548. Other popular roles include Waiters &amp;amp; Waitresses, Cooks and Janitors. All of these jobs can be started with a high school diploma or less and on-the-job training—no college is needed.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Transportation, Distribution &amp;amp; Logistics&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Heavy &amp;amp; Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers are ranked sixth highest in demand, with 5,460 current employees and a 7.6% projected growth rate. The median annual salary is $60,953. Light Truck Drivers and Laborers are also sought-after as shipping and delivery become more important in commerce.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Manufacturing&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Several manufacturing-related occupations are among the most in-demand, including Assemblers &amp;amp; Fabricators, First-Line Supervisors of Production Workers, Machinists and Welders. Most of these can also be started with on-the-job training, though vocational training is also helpful.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Education &amp;amp; Training&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Teaching Assistants (sometimes called Paraprofessionals) are in high demand, with 4,500 current employees and a 2.9% projected growth rate. The median annual salary is $39,320. Elementary, Secondary and Special Education Teachers are also experiencing steady demand as Educational Services remains vital to the region&apos;s economy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Business Management &amp;amp; Administration&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;General &amp;amp; Operations Managers are in high demand, with 6,870 current employees and an 8.3% projected growth rate. This role offers a median annual salary of $82,833. Other in-demand roles include Customer Service Representatives, Office Clerks and Administrative Assistants, though these roles are not expected to grow as fast in the future due to automation and Artificial Intelligence.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Architecture &amp;amp; Construction&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Several construction-related occupations are experiencing high demand, including Carpenters, Construction Laborers, Electricians and Plumbers. These are all high-paying jobs as well, which typically are learned on-the-job or through vocational training. Construction has been one of the fastest growing industries in the region, especially over the past five years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As the job market in Central Minnesota continues to evolve, these in-demand occupations offer promising career paths across various industries. When choosing a career, consider your personal interests, skills and long-term goals alongside market demand.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To learn more about the &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/lmi-reports/workforce-path-success/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;pathway to career success in Central Minnesota&lt;/a&gt;, contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>655173</id><pubdate>2024-11-25T16:25:32Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Central Minnesota is poised for robust job growth over the next decade, likely outpacing all other regions in the state.</Description><Audience/><Title>Employment Outlook: Central Minnesota Leads the Pack</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Employment Outlook: Central Minnesota Leads the Pack</Title><title>2024-10-18 Outlook ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-649864&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2024-10-21T20:40:08Z</Date><ShortDescription>Central Minnesota is poised for robust job growth over the next decade, likely outpacing all other regions in the state.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota is poised for robust job growth over the next decade, likely outpacing all other regions in the state. DEED&apos;s newly released regional &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/employment-outlook/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Employment Projections&lt;/a&gt; forecast a 5.2% increase in employment by 2032. At that rate, the region is expected to add just over 16,300 new jobs, which would bring its total employment to above 332,000 jobs. Figure 1 shows how Central Minnesota stacks up against other parts of the state:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/101824_cen_figure1_tcm1045-649870.png&quot; title=&quot;2022-2032 Projected Employment Growth&quot; alt=&quot;2022-2032 Projected Employment Growth&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;101824_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Looking at more detail in the Employment Projections, the types of occupations and education needed for the coming decade provides some insight into the subtle changes in the labor market. Below are some high-level takeaways at each education level for Central Minnesota:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;High School Diploma or Less&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Occupations requiring a high school diploma or less dominate the job market in terms of openings. These roles are typically entry-level positions with high turnover rates, explaining the large number of openings. Some examples include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Fast Food &amp;amp; Counter Workers: 7,578 openings&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Cashiers: 7,307 openings&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Retail Salespersons: 5,218 openings&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Stockers &amp;amp; Order Fillers: 3,741 openings&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;However, there are also numerous high-paying occupations such as supervisory and skilled trades that provide excellent pay and lifelong careers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Vocational Training&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Several occupations requiring vocational training show promising growth and/or a significant number of openings in the region. These technical roles often offer stable employment and competitive wages, making them attractive options for those seeking alternatives to traditional four-year degrees:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Industrial Machinery Mechanics: 379 openings, 25.3% growth&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Wind Turbine Service Technicians: 40 openings, 42.2% growth&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Licensed Practical &amp;amp; Licensed Vocational Nurses: 854 openings, 4.9% growth&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/101824_cen_figure2_tcm1045-649871.png&quot; title=&quot;2022-2032 Projected Occupational Openings in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;2022-2032 Projected Occupational Openings in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 95%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;101824_cen_figure2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Associate&apos;s Degree&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Health care-related occupations dominate this category, but it also includes engineering technologists and technicians, drafters, police officers, paralegals, and computer support specialists. These roles typically offer good pay and job security, reflecting the growing demand for health care services in the region and the state.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Registered Nurses: 2,541 openings, 7.0% growth&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: 57 openings, 15.7% growth&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Respiratory Therapists: 45 openings, 16.5% growth&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Bachelor&apos;s Degree&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Management and professional roles are prominent in this category, often offering higher salaries and career advancement opportunities. These occupations are also concentrated in the educational services, business and financial operations, and computer and mathematical fields.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;General and Operations Managers: 2,427 openings, 8.3% growth&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Accountants and Auditors: 1,009 openings, 6.2% growth&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Financial Managers: 575 openings, 18% growth&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Graduate Degree&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While having fewer openings overall, graduate-level occupations show strong growth percentage-wise. These highly specialized roles typically offer high salaries and are crucial in fields like healthcare and education.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Nurse Practitioners: 317 openings, 42.9% growth&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Physical Therapists: 128 openings, 13.3% growth&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Physician Assistants: 189 openings, 29.4% growth&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While there are opportunities at all educational levels, the majority of job openings will be in entry-level positions with lower educational requirements and wages. However, it&apos;s important to note that while formal education may not be necessary, many of these roles still require specific skills, certifications, or on-the-job training to achieve higher pay levels. Regardless of educational attainment, there are—and will continue to be—many opportunities for workers at every level of education.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>649864</id><pubdate>2024-10-21T17:07:02Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Home to almost 1,200 Manufacturing firms who provide over 41,700 jobs, Central Minnesota is a Manufacturing powerhouse.</Description><Audience/><Title>Building Futures: Exploring Manufacturing Careers in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Building Futures: Exploring Manufacturing Careers in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2024-09-17 Manufacturing ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-644905&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2024-09-18T20:40:08Z</Date><ShortDescription>Home to almost 1,200 Manufacturing firms who provide over 41,700 jobs, Central Minnesota is a Manufacturing powerhouse.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Home to almost 1,200 Manufacturing firms who provide over 41,700 jobs, &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/assets/Central-Minnesota-2024_tcm1045-288717.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota is a Manufacturing powerhouse&lt;/a&gt;. Manufacturing continues to grow and now accounts for over 15% of all employment in the region – or more than one in every seven jobs – plus provides average annual wages of almost $66,000, which is $11,000 higher than the average across all industries in the region. In fact, Central Minnesota manufacturers paid more than $2.75 billion to workers in wages in 2023!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For students and job seekers, your search for a great job might lead to a career in Manufacturing, since the industry requires a variety of skills and expertise ranging from assembly line workers to engineers, as well as technicians, quality control specialists and logistics professionals. This diversity allows individuals to find a role that aligns with their interests and strengths. If you enjoy working with tools, machinery and physical processes, Manufacturing can be a fulfilling career choice. The satisfaction of seeing a tangible product take shape through your efforts can be incredibly rewarding.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Many manufacturers in the region are continuously evolving with the integration of advanced technologies like robotics, automation and artificial intelligence. This means that working in the industry offers opportunities to stay at the forefront of technological advancements. To keep up with changing technology, most manufacturing companies prioritize promoting from within, providing employees with opportunities for career growth and upward mobility. With experience and further education, workers can move into supervisory, managerial or specialized roles.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Lance Louis, CEO of &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.louisind.com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Louis Industries in Paynesville&lt;/a&gt;, said, &quot;We love to get kids from robotics programs, they are typically curious and have a knack for machines.&quot; Louis goes on to mention how a bit of patience is the key to gaining a thriving career in manufacturing. According to Louis, &quot;Having enough patience to climb up in a company instead of jumping jobs for modest wage gains usually works out much better, and in five years, the person that stays has been promoted well above their job-jumping peers. We strive for our people to come with a smile and leave at the end of the day with a smile, that&apos;s what drives our strategy to attract and retain the best and brightest.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Allison Waggoner, the director of HR and safety at &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.dciinc.com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;DCI, Inc. in St. Cloud&lt;/a&gt;, said a few key skills they and other manufacturers look for when considering new workers include: &quot;&lt;strong&gt;Technical skills&lt;/strong&gt; -- mechanical aptitude is by far the biggest skill needed. Basic math and the ability to read blueprints are also helpful. We even offer blueprint reading classes. As an engineered-to-order shop, the ability to retain training from project to project is exceptionally important. This is not an assembly line process.&quot; She goes on to mention that &quot;&lt;strong&gt;Interpersonal skills&lt;/strong&gt; – listening, adaptability, showing up ready to work, and ability to communicate with co-workers both in the office and the shop, as well as customers and vendors&quot; are also important.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Scott Rosenburg from &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.smbsc.com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative in Renville&lt;/a&gt; echoed Waggoner&apos;s thoughts on the most desirable skills, stating that &quot;hardworking, loyal, passionate and responsible&quot; are the traits that help launch a new manufacturing worker from an entry level job to a successful and well compensated career.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With more than 1,200 openings at any given time, Central Minnesota manufacturers have plenty of opportunities in a wide variety of occupations!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/industry/manufacturing&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;October is Manufacturing Month in Minnesota&lt;/a&gt;. You can find a &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/2024-manufacturing-month-events&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;listing of career exploration and hiring events&lt;/a&gt; taking place throughout the month around the state.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>644905</id><pubdate>2024-09-18T13:31:11Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>As our local economy continues to grow and diversify, the demand for skilled workers in various sectors has never been greater</Description><Audience/><Title>Bridging Skills and Opportunities: Workforce Development in Central MN</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Bridging Skills and Opportunities: Workforce Development in Central MN</Title><title>2024-08-06 Workforce ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-641694&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2024-08-20T20:40:08Z</Date><ShortDescription>As our local economy continues to grow and diversify, the demand for skilled workers in various sectors has never been greater</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As our local economy continues to grow and diversify, the demand for skilled workers in various sectors has never been greater. From Health Care and Manufacturing to Education and Construction, Central Minnesota has a vibrant economy where individuals can find rewarding careers that align with their passions and strengths. The collaborative efforts among businesses, educational institutions and community organizations that are dedicated to equipping the workforce with the skills needed for success in today&apos;s job market help maintain Central Minnesota&apos;s economic standing amid an increasingly competitive global economy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Whether you are a job seeker eager to explore new career paths, an employer looking for strategies to attract and retain talent, or a community member interested in the economic vitality of our region, workforce development professionals who are part of the statewide CareerForce system are ready to help you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In 11 of the 13 counties in the region, workforce development is managed by &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cmjts.org/about/&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services (CMJTS)&lt;/a&gt;. CMJTS covers Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Renville, Sherburne and Wright counties. The CMJTS website describes the importance of their work. &quot;Not only do jobseekers — adults, youth, entry-level, career-changers, low-income, unemployed and underemployed workers — count on us for professional career guidance based on their individual circumstances, economic self-sufficiency needs, and local labor market demands. But businesses in our communities count on us for qualified workers to fill their job positions.&quot; &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cmjts.org/events/&quot;&gt;Visit the CMJTS website for a list of upcoming events&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://careersolutionsjobs.org/&quot;&gt;Career Solutions&lt;/a&gt; serves the remaining two counties in the Central Minnesota region: Stearns and Benton, which are home to St. Cloud and some of its surrounding communities . The Career Solutions website describes the work of their  employment and training organization in this way. &quot;For over thirty years, through career counseling, job training, and business relationships, we&apos;ve helped entry-level to experienced workers – youth to adults – train for and gain meaningful self-sustaining employment.&quot;
&lt;br /&gt;
CMJTS and Career Solutions offer a variety of programs to support job seekers and employers in Central Minnesota. This includes adult and youth programs, work-based learning and on-the-job training, career exploration, employer services, training grants and incentives, incumbent worker training, registered apprenticeships and much more. These excellent workforce development organizations also offer job search assistance, career counseling, skills training and support for employers in finding qualified workers. In addition, they offer training in manufacturing and health care skills, Adult Basic Education services, and Life-Work Planning Center workshops focusing on personal growth, career development, and job search support.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To get connected with CMJTS and Career Solutions, individuals and employers should reach out to the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/locations&quot;&gt;CareerForce location nearest them&lt;/a&gt;. CareerForce is Minnesota&apos;s unified workforce system, and local workforce boards like CMJTS and Career Solutions play a crucial role in its operation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Figure 1 illustrates the most common types of occupations workers in Central Minnesota hold. From Cashiers to Carpenters, workforce development plays a role in the career path of many workers. The activities can be as simple as a publicly-funded training program or as comprehensive as a long-term training collaboration between public and private-sector entities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/081924_CEN_Figure1_tcm1045-641719.png&quot; title=&quot;Most Common Occupations in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Most Common Occupations in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;081924_CEN_Figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>641694</id><pubdate>2024-08-20T14:10:55Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>DEED&apos;s Job Vacancy Survey shows that Central Minnesota has been experiencing notable shifts in its job market, with significant new trends in job openings across various industries.</Description><Audience/><Title>Central Minnesota Job Openings Simmer</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota Job Openings Simmer</Title><title>2024-07-16 JVS ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-632149&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2024-07-16T20:40:08Z</Date><ShortDescription>DEED&apos;s Job Vacancy Survey shows that Central Minnesota has been experiencing notable shifts in its job market, with significant new trends in job openings across various industries.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;DEED&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt; shows that Central Minnesota has been experiencing notable shifts in its job market, with significant new trends in job openings across various industries. As the region continues to evolve, these statistics provide crucial insights into the economic health and labor demands of Central Minnesota employers. Key sectors such as Construction and Manufacturing are among those showing a substantial decline in the number of openings, reflecting broader economic dynamics.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Broadly speaking, job openings declined in 2023 at Central Minnesota establishments, from more than 20,000 in 2021 and 2022 to 14,000 in 2023, representing a 30% decline from post-pandemic peaks. Just seven industries saw an increase in job vacancies over the year; while the other 12 declined. Though this substantial drop in job openings might cause some uneasiness, it&apos;s important to understand that it reflects a shift back to pre-pandemic recession levels.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Job openings hovered around 10,000 to 15,000 from 2015 until 2020; then hit record high levels following the Pandemic Recession in 2020 and for two years saw an explosion of openings as employers struggled to meet consumer demand. It&apos;s unclear yet if employers will have fewer openings in 2024 than 2023, but relevant indicators like unemployment rates, employment trends, and wage growth suggest the labor market will remain competitive even if it&apos;s less stressed than the past few years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Of all openings in Central Minnesota in 2023, roughly a quarter had a median wage offer below $16.43, which is the &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/col/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;wage&lt;/a&gt; needed for a single person without children to meet a basic needs &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/col/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;cost of living&lt;/a&gt; standard in Central Minnesota. The most common openings with wages below the basic needs cost of living wage are often held by high school students, part-time workers, or held as second jobs; such as Fast Food Workers, Personal Care Aides, Food Prep Workers and Waiters/Waitresses.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Occupations with lots of openings that also had relatively high median wage offers (over $20) include jobs like: Registered Nurses, CDL Truck Drivers, Licensed Practical Nurses, First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers, Automotive Technicians and Light Truck Drivers. The 20 most common job openings in Central Minnesota and their median wage offer are shown in Figure 1. This variety of occupations underscores the widespread demand for labor, even if there is less need than the past few years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/071624_cen_figure1_tcm1045-632161.png&quot; title=&quot;Top 20 Job Openings in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Top 20 Job Openings in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 95%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;071624_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>632149</id><pubdate>2024-07-16T14:49:38Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>The number of job vacancies in the Health Care &amp; Social Assistance industry reached a new peak in Central Minnesota in 2023, according to new data from the Job Vacancy Survey.</Description><Audience/><Title>Health Care Hiring Reaches New Heights in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Health Care Hiring Reaches New Heights in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2024-06-17 Health Care ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-627906&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2024-06-17T20:40:08Z</Date><ShortDescription>The number of job vacancies in the Health Care &amp; Social Assistance industry reached a new peak in Central Minnesota in 2023, according to new data from the Job Vacancy Survey.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The number of job vacancies in the Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance industry reached a new peak in Central Minnesota in 2023, according to new data from the &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt; (JVS). Health Care employers in the region reported around 3,750 job openings in 2023, up nearly 325 vacancies from the previous peak in 2021, and up more than 30% from pre-pandemic levels. At that level, Health Care accounted for more than one in every four job openings in the region, which was also the highest rate recorded (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/061724_CEN_figure1_tcm1045-627907.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1: Central Minnesota Job Vacancies in Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance, 2013-2023&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1: Central Minnesota Job Vacancies in Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance, 2013-2023&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;061724_CEN_figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For those 3,750 Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance job vacancies, nearly two-thirds (63%) required some level of postsecondary education, and nearly 80% required a certificate or license. The median hourly wage offer for all job vacancies in Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance, $21.82, was nearly $2.75 higher than the median hourly wage offer for the total of all job vacancies across all industries, at $19.13.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Of course, Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance accounts for a wide variety of occupational groups and specific occupations. The two occupational groups with the most demand in Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance include Healthcare Practitioners &amp;amp; Technical occupations, such as doctors and nurses, and Healthcare Support occupations, like Personal Care Aides and Nursing Assistants.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In 2023, Central Minnesota had over 3,050 job vacancies between these two occupational groups. Zooming in on these occupational groups, the specific occupations with the most job vacancies included Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Personal Care Aides (PCAs) and Nursing Assistants (NAs). Together these four occupations accounted for over 1,500 job vacancies.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;These &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oid/OidSelect.aspx&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Occupations in Demand&lt;/a&gt; span a wide range of training and work requirements, and in most cases, offer rising wages and part-time hours to attract candidates. The jobs that typically require higher education also typically offer higher wages, including RNs at $34.93, Physicians at $55.92, Dietitians &amp;amp; Nutritionists at $40.75, Nurse Anesthetists at $38.58, and Physical Therapists at $31.17. In contrast, some of the Healthcare Support occupations had lower entry requirements but also lower wage offers, including PCAs at $15.85, NAs at $17.58, Home Health Aides at $16.96, and Psychiatric Aides at $16.57. Visit &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;DEED&apos;s Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt; tool to learn more about health care demand in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border=&quot;1&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;6&quot;&gt;Table 1. Central Minnesota Healthcare Occupations with the Most Job Vacancies, 2023&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Occupation&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Number of Job Vacancies&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Share Part Time&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Share Req. Postsecondary Education&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Share Req. 1+ Years of Work Experience&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Median Wage Offer&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Total, All Occupations&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;14,320&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;31%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;33%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;36%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;$19.13&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Healthcare Practitioners &amp;amp; Technical&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1,967&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;33%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;86%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;40%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;$28.25&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Healthcare Support&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1,097&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;57%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;45%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;16%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;$17.11&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Registered Nurses&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;515&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;43%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;97%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;28%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$34.93&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Licensed Practical &amp;amp; Vocational Nurses&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;352&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;47%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;98%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;13%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$24.55&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Personal Care Aides&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;334&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;56%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;5%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;1%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$15.85&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Nursing Assistants&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;329&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;58%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;60%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;7%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$17.58&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Emergency Medical Technicians&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;217&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;35%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;96%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;32%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$21.08&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Psychiatric Technicians&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;178&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;1%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;22%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;99%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$19.27&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Home Health Aides&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;139&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;56%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;46%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;0%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$16.96&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Medical Assistants&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;100&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;32%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;87%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;38%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$19.35&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Radiologic Technologists &amp;amp; Technicians&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;78&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;17%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;92%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;9%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$24.33&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Paramedics&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;62&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;26%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;96%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;3%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$23.18&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Physicians, All Other&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;59&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;4%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;100%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;100%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$55.92&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Dietitians &amp;amp; Nutritionists&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;33&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;66%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;100%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;50%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$40.75&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Psychiatric Aides&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;32&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;50%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;0%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;0%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$16.57&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Nurse Anesthetists&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;32&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;45%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;97%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;72%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$38.58&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Physical Therapists&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;31&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;56%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;100%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;20%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$31.17&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan=&quot;6&quot;&gt;Source: DEED Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;To discover more about health care employment in Central Minnesota,&lt;/strong&gt; contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>627906</id><pubdate>2024-06-17T21:37:21Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>In Central Minnesota, the Beverage Manufacturing industry serves as a notable economic driver, offering employment opportunities and contributing to the region&apos;s economic vitality.</Description><Audience/><Title>Crafting Careers: Employment Growth in Central Minnesota&apos;s Beverage Industry</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Crafting Careers: Employment Growth in Central Minnesota&apos;s Beverage Industry</Title><title>2024-05-13 Crafting ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-625639&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2024-05-28T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>In Central Minnesota, the Beverage Manufacturing industry serves as a notable economic driver, offering employment opportunities and contributing to the region&apos;s economic vitality.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In Central Minnesota, the Beverage Manufacturing industry serves as a notable economic driver, offering employment opportunities and contributing to the region&apos;s economic vitality. From large-scale breweries and bottling plants to niche distilleries and specialty beverage producers, the sector provides more than 1,000 jobs across various occupations. With a focus on both production and hospitality, these businesses create jobs ranging from brewers and distillers to sales representatives and tasting room staff. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, it plays a role in supporting local communities and providing sustainable employment opportunities for residents throughout Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This sector includes a wide range of activities such as the manufacturing of alcoholic beverages like beer, wine and distilled spirits, as well as non-alcoholic beverages such as bottled water, soft drinks, juices and energy drinks. The Beverage Manufacturing industry encompasses various stages of production, including sourcing raw materials, processing, bottling, packaging and distribution. Whether it&apos;s a craft brewery crafting small-batch beers, a winery producing fine wines from locally grown grapes, or a large-scale bottling plant producing soft drinks for mass consumption, the Beverage Manufacturing industry is a diverse and dynamic sector that caters to a wide array of consumer preferences and demands.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota has specialized in Beverage Manufacturing since German immigrants brought the brewing culture to the area in the 1800sA, but &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.history.com/topics/roaring-twenties/prohibition&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;the Prohibition&lt;/a&gt; dismantled the thriving brewery industry. Fast-forward to more recent times and Central Minnesota is again hitting above its weight in beverage production. The region has the highest concentration of Beverage Manufacturing employment of the six planning areas in the state, and with a location quotient of 2, employment in the sector is twice as concentrated as what you&apos;ll find across Minnesota (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/052424_Cen_Figure1_tcm1045-625645.png&quot; title=&quot;Beverage Manufacturing Employment Location Quotients by Planning Area&quot; alt=&quot;Beverage Manufacturing Employment Location Quotients by Planning Area&quot; style=&quot;width: 85%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;052424_Cen_Figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Unlike the hiccups from past, Beverage Manufacturing has enjoyed two decades of surging growth with only a single year of job loss recorded in 2009. Since then, Beverage Manufacturing employment has grown 83%, or eight times faster than the broader regional economy!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Despite that impressive trend, the statewide growth is even more aggressive, growing 121% over the same 20-year period. This means that while Central Minnesota still has the highest concentration of employment in the sector, other regions have been seeing faster growth.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/052424_Cen_Figure2_tcm1045-625646.png&quot; title=&quot;Employment Trends in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Employment Trends in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 90%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;052424_Cen_Figure2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Beverage Manufacturing proved to be resilient during the 2020 recession, bubbling with growth while other types of Manufacturing were left flat or experienced job loss and setbacks, curtailing employment for several years. The future looks fizzy for Beverage Manufacturers and workers, with 10-year growth projections showing a 25% increase in employment, more than twice as fast as statewide projections and five times faster than the growth for the broader regional economy. With opportunities overflowing like a well-poured pint, the Beverage Manufacturing sector is set to raise spirits and quench thirsts for years ahead. Cheers!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>625639</id><pubdate>2024-05-28T14:26:15Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Central Minnesota stands as a microcosm of economic activity, where the size and composition of businesses reflect broader employment trends.</Description><Audience/><Title>Boutique Vs Behemoth: Establishment Size Trends in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Boutique Vs Behemoth: Establishment Size Trends in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2024-04-23 size trends ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-621554&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2024-04-23T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Central Minnesota stands as a microcosm of economic activity, where the size and composition of businesses reflect broader employment trends.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/042324_cen_callout_tcm1045-621572.png&quot; title=&quot;Employee size classes&quot; alt=&quot;Employee size classes&quot; style=&quot;width: 30%;&quot; class=&quot;photoRightNoBorder&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;042324_cen_callout&quot; /&gt;Central Minnesota stands as a microcosm of economic activity, where the size and composition of businesses reflect broader employment trends. Despite the dynamic nature of the business world, a significant portion of establishments across various industries have demonstrated remarkable resilience in maintaining their size over time. While fluctuations and shifts occur within individual sectors and regions, many businesses have found stability in their operations and scale.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;According to data from the &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/qwi/index.jsp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Quarterly Workforce Indicators program&lt;/a&gt;, in the mid 1990&apos;s about 26% of jobs were held at private business establishments that employed fewer than 20 workers. By 2022, that share had changed just one percentage point to 25%. Meanwhile, the share of jobs held at the largest businesses (500+ employees) declined slightly from 37% to 35%. The largest fluctuations in share occurred during recessionary periods, with the number and percentage of workers in smaller businesses increasing the most since 2020 (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/042324_cen_figure1_tcm1045-621561.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Private Employment by Business Establishment Size&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Private Employment by Business Establishment Size&quot; style=&quot;width: 80%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;042324_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Whether fueled by niche markets, loyal customer bases or efficient operational models, central Minnesota businesses have weathered economic cycles and competitive pressures, often carving out enduring positions within their respective markets.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;However, specific industries have experienced significant changes that are sometimes obscured by overarching economic trends. For instance, Retail Trade has experienced a dramatic shift since the 1990&apos;s, when a quarter of jobs were held at businesses with less than 20 employees, compared to just 18% in 2022. This is a 27% decline in the share of workers at these small Retail Trade establishments, even as the actual number of jobs at small retailers has slowly continued to grow, from 32,325 in 1995 to 35,041 in 2022.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In contrast, two decades ago roughly 46% of Retail Trade employment in Central Minnesota was at establishments that cumulatively had 500 or more employees, and by the 2020s that share had climbed to 57%, an increase of 18%, equivalent to about 4,600 more jobs at the largest retail establishments. The challenges faced by small retailers underscore deeper structural transformations in the economy, characterized by the rise of digital commerce, globalization and evolving consumer behaviors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>621554</id><pubdate>2024-04-23T20:48:37Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>In the realm of agricultural economics, the dynamics of farm incomes serve as a barometer for the health of Central Minnesota’s rural economy.</Description><Audience/><Title>Fields of Green: Central Minnesota’s Variable Farm Incomes</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Fields of Green: Central Minnesota’s Variable Farm Incomes</Title><title>2024-03-12 Farm Income ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-615402&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2024-03-26T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>In the realm of agricultural economics, the dynamics of farm incomes serve as a barometer for the health of Central Minnesota’s rural economy.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In the realm of agricultural economics, the dynamics of farm incomes serve as a barometer for the health of Central Minnesota&apos;s rural economy. From the fluctuations in crop prices to shifts in government policies, numerous factors influence the financial well-being of farmers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In Central Minnesota, farm incomes have a large degree of variability, both over time and across the different counties due to differences in soil type, land productivity and farm size. This is highlighted at the extremes where according to the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_2_County_Level/Minnesota/st27_2_004_004.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;newly released 2022 Census of Agriculture&lt;/a&gt;, the average net farm income in Isanti County was $12,596 compared to $286,301 in Renville County.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With heavy fertile soil, Renville and Kandiyohi counties boast the largest average farm operations, averaging 677 acres and 398 acres, respectively. Counties bordering the Twin Cities feature the smallest average farm sizes, with Chisago at 92 acres and Isanti at 103 acres. However, smaller farms are also typical in the northern extent of Central Minnesota, where bogs, forests, and surface water are more prevalent, with Mille Lacs at 118 acres, Kanabec at 126 acres, and Pine at 132 acres.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The squeeze of agricultural economics is illustrated in Figure 1, where incomes have fluctuated over time, closely reflecting commodity prices for the most popular crops raised in each county. In 2017, net farm incomes declined for every county except Sherburne and Benton. Then through 2022, farm incomes jumped across the region, with huge increases for farming communities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/032524_cen_figure1_tcm1045-615408.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Net Farm Income&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Net Farm Income&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;032524_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The size of farm operations obviously plays a major role in the net income operators are able to realize, but so does the type of crops raised and environmental factors such as soil type and terrain. For the most rural communities in the region, farm operations support a diverse and thriving agriculture industry, providing associated benefits to other aspects of the economy. With spring weather just around the corner, planting season will be here soon, and once again, Central Minnesota crop farmers are gearing up to sow the seeds of another growing season.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>615402</id><pubdate>2024-03-26T18:56:32Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>As guardians of public safety, Police Officers and Firefighters play an indispensable role in upholding the fabric of our society.</Description><Audience/><Title>Protecting The Future: Central Minnesota&apos;s Law Enforcement Labor Market</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Protecting The Future: Central Minnesota&apos;s Law Enforcement Labor Market</Title><title>2024-02-22 Law Enforcement ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-610374&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2024-02-22T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>As guardians of public safety, Police Officers and Firefighters play an indispensable role in upholding the fabric of our society.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As guardians of public safety, &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/33-3051.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Police Officers&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/33-2011.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Firefighters&lt;/a&gt; play an indispensable role in upholding the fabric of our society. Within these noble professions lie not only a commitment to service but also a complex web of employment trends, recruitment challenges, and evolving career pathways.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For police departments across the nation, recruitment has emerged as a formidable challenge in recent years, presenting a series of hurdles unique to the police profession. One of the most pressing issues is the evolving perception of law enforcement within our communities. Heightened scrutiny in the wake of high-profile use of force incidents has cast a shadow over the noble work people working in Law Enforcement perform. These challenges only add to recruitment challenges produced by a tight labor market where there are ample opportunities in other occupations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Police Protection in Central Minnesota has maintained slow and consistent employment growth since the end of the Great Recession, bucking the trend in the Twin Cities, where Police Protection has declined 5% since 2019. Excluding education and hospitals, about 14% of local government employment is from Law Enforcement Officers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In Central Minnesota there are an estimated 1,080 &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=333051&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E%2cEDR7E%2cEDR7W%2cCMN%2cUS%2cMN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Police &amp;amp; Sheriff&apos;s Patrol Officers&lt;/a&gt;, with another 250 people employed as &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=331012&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E,EDR7E,EDR7W,CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;First-Line Supervisors&lt;/a&gt; and 140 working as &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=333021&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E,EDR7E,EDR7W,CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Detectives &amp;amp; Criminal Investigators&lt;/a&gt;. Typical wages range from roughly $65,000 - $110,000 depending on the occupation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/022124_cen_figure1_tcm1045-610373.png&quot; title=&quot;Police and Sheriff Employment and Wages in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Police and Sheriff Employment and Wages in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 90%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;022124_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Over the past seven years there have been an average of between &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/jvs/Results.aspx&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;10 or 20 Law Enforcement job openings&lt;/a&gt; at any given time across the region, with typical starting wages right around $20 per hour. Despite current recruitment challenges, all three Law Enforcement occupations are &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/projections/Results.aspx?dataset=1&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&amp;amp;code=331012,333021,333051&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;expected to grow just under 10%&lt;/a&gt; in the region over the coming decade. That would be the equivalent of 150 net new jobs, in addition to a need to refill about 450 existing jobs that become available due to labor market exits.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>610374</id><pubdate>2024-02-22T18:02:11Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Child care careers in Minnesota play a crucial role in shaping the early development of children and supporting working families. </Description><Audience/><Title>Central Minnesota Child Care</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota Child Care</Title><title>2024-01-22 Central Minnesota Child Care ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-607899&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2024-01-26T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Child care careers in Minnesota play a crucial role in shaping the early development of children and supporting working families. </ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Child care careers in Minnesota play a crucial role in shaping the early development of children and supporting working families. However, like many other regions, &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2023/minnesota-child-care-sector-struggles-as-business-model-changes&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;the state faces unique challenges in the Child Care sector that impact both providers and families&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;One of the significant challenges in Minnesota is the shortage of qualified child care professionals. The demand for child care services often outstrips the availability of trained caregivers, making it challenging for parents to secure reliable and high-quality care for their children. &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.ruralmn.org/rural-child-care-solutions-from-the-ground-up/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;This shortage has been exacerbated by factors such as low wages for child care workers and the cost of obtaining the necessary certifications and education&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While child care workers are in high demand in Central Minnesota, employment projections actually &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/projections/Results.aspx?dataset=1&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&amp;amp;code=399011&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;show a decline in jobs through 2030 by 2.6%&lt;/a&gt;. The projected decline isn&apos;t necessarily a reflection of demand, in fact it&apos;s likely that demand for child care workers will continue for the foreseeable future; it&apos;s more &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/dhs/assets/Former-family-child-care-provider-survey-expanded-report_tcm1053-437906.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;a reflection of the challenge for the industry to grow&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In addition to the shortage of caregivers, the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.childcareawaremn.org/families/cost-of-care/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;cost of child care in Minnesota&lt;/a&gt; is a major concern for many families. The expenses associated with quality child care can be a significant financial burden, leading some parents to struggle with balancing work and family responsibilities. Addressing the affordability of child care is crucial for ensuring that all families, regardless of their socio-economic status, have access to quality early childhood care and education.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Child care providers also face regulatory challenges. While regulations are essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of children, some providers argue that the existing regulatory framework can be burdensome and may contribute to the shortage of child care options. Striking a balance between necessary regulations and fostering a supportive environment for child care businesses is a delicate task that requires ongoing attention to attract and retain providers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.firstchildrensfinance.org/app/uploads/2023/11/The-Health-of-Minnesotas-Child-Care-Businesses-in-the-Post-Pandemic-Era.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Despite these challenges, child care professionals in Minnesota are passionate about their work and dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for the children under their care&lt;/a&gt;. According to staffing patterns, employment in Child Day Care is relatively concentrated with 62% of jobs filled by either Preschool Teachers or Child Care Workers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/25-2011.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Preschool Teachers&lt;/a&gt; account for a third of employment in Child Day Care Services, followed by &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/39-9011.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Child Care Workers&lt;/a&gt; (29% of employment). The cost to obtain the necessary bachelor&apos;s degree to become a licensed preschool teacher may not be financially feasible in light of the relatively low wage potential compared to the similar &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/25-2012.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Kindergarten Teachers&lt;/a&gt;. Both teachers work with young children, both require a bachelor&apos;s degree, but the median annual wage for Preschool Teachers is just $37,000 compared to nearly $64,000 for Kindergarten Teachers. In many cases the incentive to pursue a career as a Preschool Teacher will be outweighed by the earnings potential of becoming a Kindergarten Teacher.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A similar case exists for Child Care Workers where they can explore other in-demand careers that provide higher wages.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/012224_cen_figure1_tcm1045-607898.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Wages for Child Care Related Occupations&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Wages for Child Care Related Occupations&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;012224_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In conclusion, child care careers are vital for the development of the state&apos;s youngest residents and the state&apos;s workforce. While challenges exist, efforts to address workforce shortages, improve affordability, and streamline regulations can contribute to a more robust and accessible child care system for all families.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>607899</id><pubdate>2024-01-26T17:31:01Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>The Retail Trade industry in Central Minnesota has long been a pivotal force in shaping the region&apos;s economic landscape, reflecting local consumer trends and serving as a significant source of employment.</Description><Audience/><Title>Navigating Change: The Retail Trade Landscape in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Navigating Change: The Retail Trade Landscape in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2023-12-14 Retail ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-604471&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2023-12-19T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>The Retail Trade industry in Central Minnesota has long been a pivotal force in shaping the region&apos;s economic landscape, reflecting local consumer trends and serving as a significant source of employment.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Retail Trade industry in Central Minnesota has long been a pivotal force in shaping the region&apos;s economic landscape, reflecting local consumer trends and serving as a significant source of employment. Over the past few years, this sector has faced numerous challenges and opportunities, navigating shifts in consumer behavior, the rise of e-commerce, and the unique labor market dynamics of Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;One defining characteristic of the region&apos;s Retail Trade labor landscape is the blend of urban and rural areas, creating vastly different retail environments for both consumers and workers. While some counties, like Pine and Wright, boast above average concentrations of Retail Trade employment, others, like Renville County, exhibit lower concentrations. This diversity highlights the varied challenges faced by retailers in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Recruitment and retention have emerged as substantial concerns for retail employers, especially since 2020. The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a 3% decline in Retail Trade employment in Central Minnesota, yet the sector fared relatively well compared to the overall regional economy. However, the tight labor market poses a significant obstacle, with job vacancies reaching historically high levels in 2022.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The heart of the workforce in Retail Trade consists of Sales &amp;amp; Related workers, occupying over half of all positions. Entry-level roles, such as Retail Salespersons and Cashiers, contribute to high turnover rates and a constant need for new workers. The industry has responded by offering increasingly competitive wages, with median wage offers for Sales &amp;amp; Related positions growing by 17% from 2021 to 2022.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Despite the challenges, the Retail Trade industry in Central Minnesota provides ample opportunities for career growth. Beyond entry-level positions, opportunities exist in store management, visual merchandising, e-commerce, and various specialized roles. These positions require diverse skill sets, presenting employees with the chance for fulfilling and long-term careers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/121523_cen_figure1_tcm1045-604472.png&quot; title=&quot;Retail Trade Employment Change in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Retail Trade Employment Change in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 95%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;121523_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The sector has experienced notable employment growth, with Gasoline Stations and Health &amp;amp; Personal Care Stores leading the way. However, certain subsectors, such as Clothing &amp;amp; Clothing Accessories Stores and Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronics, &amp;amp; Appliance Retailers, have seen job declines, reflecting shifting consumer preferences.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;E-commerce has emerged as a significant trend, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditional and online retailers alike are adapting to the growing popularity of online shopping, revamping digital platforms, and creating versatile shopping experiences that blend the online and offline worlds. This transformation is reshaping the way retailers operate, emphasizing the need for adaptability and technological proficiency among workers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In conclusion, the Retail Trade industry in Central Minnesota is undergoing a profound transformation driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences. As retailers adapt to these changes, they are not only reshaping their business models but also redefining their role in the labor market. The challenges posed by a tight labor market and shifting consumer preferences are significant, but they also present opportunities for innovation and growth in this dynamic sector.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>604471</id><pubdate>2023-12-19T14:56:22Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Retail Trade is an important industry in Central Minnesota, both for holiday shopping and for employment.</Description><Audience/><Title>Jobs in Retail Trade in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Jobs in Retail Trade in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2023-11-16 Retail ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-601606&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2023-11-27T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Retail Trade is an important industry in Central Minnesota, both for holiday shopping and for employment.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Retail Trade is an important industry in Central Minnesota, both for holiday shopping and for employment. The 13-county planning region had more than 36,250 jobs at 2,174 establishments in the second quarter of 2023, accounting for about 13% of total jobs (or about one in every eight jobs). At that level, Central Minnesota actually has the highest share of &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/current-econ-highlights/examine-employment.jsp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Retail Trade employment&lt;/a&gt; of the six regions in the state, and such employment is much more concentrated here than the state as a whole (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/111623_CEN_figure1_tcm1045-601610.png&quot; title=&quot;Retail Trade Percent of Total Jobs&quot; alt=&quot;Retail Trade Percent of Total Jobs&quot; style=&quot;width: 80%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;111623_CEN_figure1 1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As the holiday season approaches, retailers in Central Minnesota typically increase hiring from the third to the fourth quarter each year, averaging a gain of nearly 400 jobs, or 1.0%, over the past 5 years. The biggest quarterly increase came back in 2020 following the Pandemic Recession, before settling into more measured gains heading into  the past two winters. Hiring is heightened in the fourth quarter, as retailers compete to attract workers in a tight labor market.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This demand is also reflected in &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;rising job vacancies&lt;/a&gt; reported by retailers in the region. There were about 3,350 job vacancies in Retail Trade in 2022, which was the largest number of any industry, even surpassing Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance. It was also the third highest number of vacancies ever reported in the Retail Trade industry in Central Minnesota, going all the way back to 2001 (see Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/111623_CEN_figure2_tcm1045-601611.png&quot; title=&quot;Number of Retail Trade Job Vacancies in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Number of Retail Trade Job Vacancies in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 80%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;111623_CEN_figure2 1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Specific occupations in high demand in Retail Trade include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/41-1011.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers&lt;/a&gt;: 892 vacancies, $17.47 median wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/41-2011.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Cashiers&lt;/a&gt;: 733 vacancies, $14.87 median wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/41-2031.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Retail Salespersons&lt;/a&gt;: 612 vacancies, $15.11 median wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/53-7065.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Stockers &amp;amp; Order Fillers&lt;/a&gt;: 112 vacancies, $15.26 median wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/41-2022.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Parts Salespersons&lt;/a&gt;: 30 vacancies, $19.52 median wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/27-1026.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Merchandise Displayers &amp;amp; Window Trimmers&lt;/a&gt;: 29 vacancies, $17.32 median wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;All six of these occupations can be &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/jobsindemand&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;started with a high school diploma or less&lt;/a&gt;, and most rely on short-term on-the-job training and related work experience. For jobseekers who are also looking for flexibility, about half of the retail sales job vacancies are part-time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>601606</id><pubdate>2023-11-27T21:53:16Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>The pursuit of higher education is not the only path to employment success.</Description><Audience/><Title>Good Jobs with No Degree Needed</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Good Jobs with No Degree Needed</Title><title>2023-10-13 No Degree ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-597647&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2023-10-27T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>The pursuit of higher education is not the only path to employment success.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The pursuit of higher education is not the only path to employment success. While a college degree can open doors and lead to &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/career-pathways-tool/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;well-paying careers&lt;/a&gt;, there are plenty of lucrative opportunities in Central Minnesota and across the country available for individuals without a college degree. It&apos;s essential to understand that success in these fields often requires a combination of relevant skills, practical experience, and a proactive approach. Some common methods to secure a &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/jobsindemand&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;high paying job without a college degree&lt;/a&gt; include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Develop Marketable Skills&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Focus on acquiring skills that are in demand in your chosen industry. This might include learning programming languages, building technical skills, or mastering a trade.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Certifications and Licenses&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Many professions require specific certifications or licenses. Obtaining these credentials can validate your expertise and improve your employability.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Apprenticeships and On-the-Job Training&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Consider enrolling in apprenticeship programs or seeking on-the-job training. These provide hands-on experience and a structured path to your desired career, and you get paid while you&apos;re learning.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Networking&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Build a professional network by connecting with experienced individuals in your field. Networking can lead to mentorships and job opportunities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Online Learning and Skill Development&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Utilize online resources to gain the necessary skills and knowledge. Online courses, tutorials, and self-study can help you prepare for your chosen career path.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/lmi-reports/workforce-path-success/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;path to securing a well-paying job&lt;/a&gt; without a college degree is multifaceted but doesn&apos;t have to be complicated. It requires a proactive and strategic approach to skill development, networking, and continuously adapting to industry changes. With dedication, resilience, and a commitment to self-improvement, you can forge a rewarding career in occupations that don&apos;t require a college degree, as shown below.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/101323_cen_figure1_tcm1045-597669.png&quot; title=&quot;Occupations with High Wages and Low Educational Requirements in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Occupations with High Wages and Low Educational Requirements in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;101323_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The occupations in the table above all have a median wage above $30 per hour in Central Minnesota, but are just a small selection of the numerous opportunities available for individuals without a traditional degree. According to &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/col/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;DEED&apos;s Cost of Living tool&lt;/a&gt;, for a typical two parent household with a child, each parent needs to earn $18.43 per hour to live a safe and sustainable life in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While a college degree can open up many opportunities, it&apos;s important to remember that it&apos;s not the only path to a successful and well-paying career.  With determination, training, and experience, you can forge a rewarding career and secure financial stability in a field that suits your interests and skills. The key to success in these careers is a commitment to learning, staying updated with industry trends, and building a strong professional network. So, whether you&apos;re looking to change career paths or just starting your professional journey, consider these options as a viable route to career success.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>597647</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:40Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Home to 1,200 manufacturers who provide nearly 41,500 jobs, Central Minnesota is a powerhouse in the goods-producing space.</Description><Audience/><Title>Central Minnesota Manufacturing</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota Manufacturing</Title><title>2023-09-13 Manufacturing ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-592125&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2023-09-15T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Home to 1,200 manufacturers who provide nearly 41,500 jobs, Central Minnesota is a powerhouse in the goods-producing space.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Home to 1,200 manufacturers who provide nearly 41,500 jobs, Central Minnesota is a powerhouse in the goods-producing space. Manufacturing continues to grow and now accounts for over 15% of all employment in the region, plus provides average annual wages that are $10K higher than typical in the region. In fact, more wages are paid out from manufacturers than any other industry in the region, a whopping $2.65 billion in 2022!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/picture1_tcm1045-592138.png&quot; title=&quot;Percent of Total Jobs in Manufacturing by Region&quot; alt=&quot;Percent of Total Jobs in Manufacturing by Region&quot; style=&quot;width: 60%;&quot; class=&quot;photoRightNoBorder&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;picture1&quot; /&gt;Your search for a great job might lead to a career in Manufacturing, since the industry requires a variety of skills and expertise ranging from assembly line workers to engineers, as well as technicians, quality control specialists, and logistics professionals. This diversity allows individuals to find a role that aligns with their interests and strengths. If you enjoy working with tools, machinery, and physical processes, Manufacturing can be a fulfilling career choice. The satisfaction of seeing a tangible product take shape through your efforts can be incredibly rewarding.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Lance Louis, CEO of Louis Industries in Paynesville, said, &quot;We love to get kids from robotics programs, they are typically curious and have a knack for machines.&quot; Louis goes on to mention how a bit of patience is the key to gaining a thriving career in Manufacturing. According to Louis, &quot;Having enough patience to climb up in a company instead of jumping jobs for modest wage gains usually works out much better, and in five years&apos; time, the person that stays has been promoted well above their job-jumping peers. We strive for our people to come with a smile and leave at the end of the day with a smile, that&apos;s what drives our strategy to attract and retain the best and brightest.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Many manufacturers in the region are continuously evolving with the integration of advanced technologies like robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence. This means that working in the industry offers opportunities to stay at the forefront of technological advancements. To keep up with changing technology, most manufacturing companies prioritize promoting from within, providing employees with opportunities for career growth and upward mobility. With experience and further education, workers can move into supervisory, managerial, or specialized roles.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Allison Waggoner, the director of HR and safety at DCI in St. Cloud, said a few key skills they and other manufacturers look for when considering new workers include, &quot;&lt;strong&gt;Technical Skills&lt;/strong&gt; -- mechanical aptitude is by far the biggest skill needed. Basic math and the ability to read blueprints are also helpful. We even offer blueprint reading classes. As an engineered-to-order shop, the ability to retain training from project to project is exceptionally important. This is not an assembly line process.&quot; She goes on to mention that &quot;&lt;strong&gt;Interpersonal skills&lt;/strong&gt; – listening, adaptability, showing up ready to work, and ability to communicate with co-workers both office, shop, customers, and vendors&quot; are also important.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Scott Rosenburg from Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative in Renville echoed Waggoner&apos;s thoughts on the most desirable skills, stating that &quot;hardworking, loyal, passionate, and responsible&quot; are the skills and traits that help launch a new manufacturing worker from an entry level job to a successful and well compensated career.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With more than 2,300 openings at any given time, Central Minnesota manufacturers have plenty of opportunities in a wide variety of occupations!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>592125</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:40Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>After gaining almost 60,000 new residents since 2010, Central Minnesota saw a faster population growth than the state as a whole.</Description><Audience/><Title>Population Trends in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Population Trends in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2023-08-11 Population ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-587899&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2023-08-22T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>After gaining almost 60,000 new residents since 2010, Central Minnesota saw a faster population growth than the state as a whole.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;After gaining almost 60,000 new residents since 2010, Central Minnesota saw a faster population growth than the state as a whole. All but two of the 13 counties in Central Minnesota managed to gain population over the past 12 years, providing a net gain of 59,172 people, for an 8.7% increase, compared to 7.8% for Minnesota. A growing population is the most important way for labor force growth to occur and a leading indicator of future labor force trends.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The largest population gains happened in Wright County (+23,303) and Sherburne County (+12,325), both counties that are positioned on the western edge of the Twin Cities and have benefited from urban expansion along the I-94, Highway 10 and Highway 55 corridor as workers look to gain access to the Twin Cities from outlying suburbs and communities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The fastest growth was clearly in Wright County, growing by 18.7% from 2010-2022, followed by Sherburne (+13.9%) and Isanti (+13%). A notable trend is the slower growth in Stearns County. Containing the vast majority of the St. Cloud metropolitan statistical area, Stearns has the largest population of any county in the region but grew by a modest 6.5%, slightly slower than the region overall. At the far ends of the region, Renville and Pine were the only two counties that saw a decline over the period, amounting to combined loss of roughly 1,500 people.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border=&quot;1&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;5&quot;&gt;Table 1. Population Change 2010-2022&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th rowspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Area&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th rowspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;2010 Population&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th rowspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;2022 Estimates&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;2010-2022 Change&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Number&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Percent&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Central Minnesota&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;684,001&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;743,173&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+59,172&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+8.7%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Region 6E&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;117,920&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;118,574&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+654&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+0.6%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Kandiyohi Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;42,239&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;43,839&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+1,600&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+3.8%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  McLeod Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;36,651&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;36,714&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+63&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+0.2%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Meeker Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;23,300&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;23,376&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+76&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+0.3%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Renville Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;15,730&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;14,525&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;-1,205&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;-7.7%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Region 7E&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;163,789&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;173,904&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+10,115&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+6.2%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Chisago Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;53,887&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;57,988&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+4,101&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+7.6%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Isanti Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;37,816&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;42,727&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+4,911&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+13.0%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Kanabec Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;16,239&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;16,463&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+224&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+1.4%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Mille Lacs Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;26,097&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;27,280&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+1,183&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+4.5%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Pine Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;29,750&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;29,446&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;-304&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;-1.0%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Region 7W&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;402,292&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;450,695&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+48,403&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+12.0%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Benton Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;38,451&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;41,463&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+3,012&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+7.8%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Sherburne Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;88,499&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;100,824&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+12,325&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+13.9%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Stearns Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;150,642&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;160,405&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+9,763&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+6.5%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Wright Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;124,700&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;148,003&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+23,303&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+18.7%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Minnesota&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;5,303,925&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;5,717,184&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+413,259&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;+7.8%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan=&quot;5&quot;&gt;Source: &lt;a href=&quot;http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/searchresults.xhtml?refresh=t&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Through this time period, roughly 83% of population growth occurred from domestic migration and a natural increase (more births than deaths), while the remaining 17% of the region&apos;s increase can be attributed to net migration of immigrants born outside the U.S. The largest influx of immigrants came from Africa (7,653 immigrants), followed by Asia (1,504) and Central and South America (1,500).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Looking towards the future, Central Minnesota&apos;s population growth is projected to slow. According to &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/admin/demography/data-by-topic/population-data/our-projections/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;projections from the Minnesota State Demographic Center&lt;/a&gt;, the Central region is expected to expand 6.3% from 2025 to 2035, and another 4.5% from 2035 to 2045, though that is half the rate it experienced in the past decade.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>587899</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:38Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Despite rapid and broad changes in the economy and labor market following the COVID-19 pandemic, most occupational changes have so far been minimal.</Description><Audience/><Title>Growth vs. Demand in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Growth vs. Demand in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2023-07-12 Demand ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-584959&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2023-07-19T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Despite rapid and broad changes in the economy and labor market following the COVID-19 pandemic, most occupational changes have so far been minimal.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Despite rapid and broad changes in the economy and labor market following the COVID-19 pandemic, most occupational changes have so far been minimal. Though people working in many occupations are now able to work from home and serve customers remotely, the actual function of most jobs has remained unchanged. Yet long-term changes in our economy will continue to shape the labor market for decades and interpreting job growth and job demand is imperative to understand for proper planning.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Many education and workforce development organizations place a large emphasis on job growth to direct current planning goals, and rightfully so. Knowing what areas of our economy are expected to grow is very important. However, current demand and needs should be considered with just as much significance. The reasons become evident when looking at the top ten most in demand occupations in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;DEED&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oid/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Occupations in Demand&lt;/a&gt; results were updated in July 2023, providing a listing of the highest demand occupations in each region of the state. The top two most demanded occupations in Central Minnesota are Fast Food Workers and Home Health Aides (HHA) and Personal Care Aides (PCA), due to large numbers of existing workers and current position vacancies. Both occupations are also projected to grow faster than average (+5.0%) in the region over the next decade.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/071323_cen_figure1_tcm1045-584970.png&quot; title=&quot;Growth Rate and Openings for Most Demanded Occupations in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Growth Rate and Openings for Most Demanded Occupations in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;071323_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In contrast, the third, fourth, and fifth most in demand occupations – which are Cashiers, Retail Salespersons, and First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers –are actually expected to see job declines over the same period. However, even if they don&apos;t grow, they will still have thousands of job openings due to labor market exits and retirements by existing workers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;So what does this mean for companies, workers and the organizations that help provide skill training? Basically, the overwhelming size of some occupations will require large numbers of workers to fill the plentiful job openings projected over the coming years. This pushes demand higher for the occupation, while also providing excellent opportunities for workers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Just because an occupation isn&apos;t expected to grow doesn&apos;t mean it&apos;s a vanishing occupation. In fact, employers might be increasing the quality of an occupation, but decreasing the number of jobs by replacing the most tedious, dangerous, or repetitive tasks with technology.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Job seekers and career counselors should look beyond the growth rate when considering what occupations provide opportunity now and in the future. Current demand is important as well, since most workers probably don&apos;t care if there is projected to be 3% less employment in a decade, but they do care about the quantity of openings available and if the occupation is and will be in demand.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>584959</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:38Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Jobs that support or provide health care for others can be an excellent career while also providing a necessary service in the region.</Description><Audience/><Title>Central Minnesota’s Health Careers In Demand</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota’s Health Careers In Demand</Title><title>2023-06-12 Healthcare ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-580737&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2023-06-14T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Jobs that support or provide health care for others can be an excellent career while also providing a necessary service in the region.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Jobs that support or provide health care for others can be an excellent career while also providing a necessary service in the region. Opportunities to work in the Health Care industry range from entry level occupations that can be attained with a high school diploma or less (such as &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/31-1121&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Home Health Aides&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/31-1122&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Personal Care Aides&lt;/a&gt;) to highly skilled, experienced and educated occupations that require advanced degrees (&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/29-1215&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Physicians&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/29-1243&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Surgeons&lt;/a&gt;). The variety of occupations means there is something for everyone if a career in health care desired.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In Central Minnesota there are 31 occupations in the Health Science career cluster that are in relatively high demand, and the vast majority of these have median wages well above typical for the region ($47,251). Figure 1 below illustrates the variety of Health Science Occupations in Demand. &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/31-1121&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Home Health Aides&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/31-1122&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Personal Care Aides&lt;/a&gt; rank 3rd overall in demand, but also provide low wages, with a median of $32,476. Likewise, &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/31-1131&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Nursing Assistants&lt;/a&gt; rank 4th but earn less than $40,000 per year. Of course, money isn&apos;t the only motivation to work and the top two occupations in the chart provide opportunities to help others by providing direct care and help individuals achieve their highest quality of life.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The second most common health occupation is &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/29-1141&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Registered Nurses&lt;/a&gt; (RNs). With employment above 5,900 workers and a median wage of more than $86,000 per year, this highly demanded occupation can be attained with a 2-year degree in Minnesota. RN occupations have specialized through the years and there are opportunities for various RN positions requiring higher levels of education.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/061223_cen_Figure1_tcm1045-580751.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Health Science Occupations in Demand&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Health Science Occupations in Demand&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;061223_cen_Figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;An advantage of healthcare careers is that they exist in every corner of our state and country, and even highly specialized occupations can be found in both rural communities or large metro areas. This allows workers in these occupations to have geographic freedom and mobility. If you enjoy helping others and have interest working in the Health Care industry, check out these careers!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Caring Careers&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;June is the kick off for the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/CaringCareer&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Follow Your Heart to a Caring Career campaign&lt;/a&gt;, including a &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn-careerforce-prod-files.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/files/2023-06/follow-heart-caring-career-proclamation.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;proclamation from the Governor&lt;/a&gt; explaining the benefits of working in Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance. DEED&apos;s Regional Analysts put together a series of blogs focused on Health Care employment and opportunities in all 6 planning regions:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northeast/northeast-blog.jsp#/detail/appId/1/id/580739&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Northeast&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp#/detail/appId/1/id/580740&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Northwest&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/southeast/southeast-blog.jsp#/detail/appId/1/id/580741&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Southeast&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/southwest/southwest-blog.jsp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Southwest&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/metro/metro-blog.jsp#/detail/appId/1/id/580738&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Twin Cities&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As detailed in previous articles, the Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance industry has been &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/publications/trends/december-2021/critical.jsp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;under stress since the pandemic&lt;/a&gt;, but remains a great long-term career opportunity as it is projected to be the &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/publications/trends/march-2022/job-outlook.jsp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;largest growing industry&lt;/a&gt; over the next decade. The goal of the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/CaringCareer&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Caring Careers campaign&lt;/a&gt; is to help jobseekers find their fit in health care employment that makes a real difference in the lives of others. Jobseekers that are interested can begin an in-demand career path with great growth potential and no training beyond high school required to start in many positions. Employers even pay for initial training in many cases – and they may also pay for future training to help workers grow their career and earn more money. Many employers also welcome employees who are learning English.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>580737</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:38Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>No longer is knowledge of Information Technology (IT) reserved for a small subset of people staring at computer screens, it&apos;s everywhere, including our jobs, no matter what industry we work in.</Description><Audience/><Title>The Information Technology of Everything</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>The Information Technology of Everything</Title><title>2023-05-10 Tech ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-577321&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2023-05-10T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>No longer is knowledge of Information Technology (IT) reserved for a small subset of people staring at computer screens, it&apos;s everywhere, including our jobs, no matter what industry we work in.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;No longer is knowledge of Information Technology (IT) reserved for a small subset of people staring at computer screens, it&apos;s everywhere, including our jobs, no matter what industry we work in. The ability to connect such a wide variety of devices to the internet, local networks, and to other peripheral devices has prompted a substantial need for basic understanding of IT to be successful in the workplace.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Outside of a relatively small number of occupations that focus intensively on IT, nearly every worker nowadays needs to understand basic network principles and the opportunities and risks associated with them in order to maximize the effectiveness of advancing technologies in the workplace. However, IT is a vague term that describes neither an industry nor occupation, but rather a system that crosses multiple boundaries. This important and difficult to define economic need has created opportunities for workers in various occupations and industries that have IT-related skills and knowledge.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Larger companies that have more need and resources often have dedicated professionals who have trained in a specific IT field, even if they aren&apos;t associated with the IT industry. Other companies might focus on the development and delivery of IT solutions and also hire dedicated staff with specific skills, many of which are in demand and pay handsomely. In Central Minnesota, there are eight specific IT occupations that are in high demand. All require additional education after high school, ranging from vocational training to a bachelor&apos;s degree.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The most common IT-related occupation in Central Minnesota is &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/15-1252.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Software Developers &amp;amp; Software Quality Assurance Analysts &amp;amp; Testers&lt;/a&gt; with an estimated 980 jobs in the region, and a median wage of nearly $91k per year. Other high demand occupations include &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/15-1232.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Computer User Support Specialists&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/15-1211.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Computer Systems Analysts&lt;/a&gt;, and &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/15-1244.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Network &amp;amp; Computer Systems Administrators&lt;/a&gt;. The highest earning IT occupation is &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/11-3021.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Computer &amp;amp; Information Systems Managers&lt;/a&gt;, which had median wages above $121k (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/5-10-2023-picture1_tcm1045-577322.png&quot; title=&quot;IT Occupations in Demand in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;IT Occupations in Demand in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 90%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;5-10-2023-picture1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;At smaller companies, IT skills are oftentimes leveraged by workers in occupations that aren&apos;t clearly defined as being &quot;IT&quot;. Sometimes this means the worker who has the most knowledge of IT, regardless of their training, becomes the de facto &quot;IT person&quot;, doing whatever they can to meet the needs of the organization. This not only creates opportunities for workers without formal IT-related training, but it also means IT-related skills are becoming increasingly important for workers to be successful in the workplace, regardless of their occupation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>577321</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:38Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Central Minnesota has a very active labor force, with both men and women participating at higher rates than statewide.</Description><Audience/><Title>Men - and Women - at Work</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Workers Wanted, Still…</Title><title>2023-04-14 Wanted ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-574585&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2023-04-24T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>The record high numbers of job openings continued in 2022, with just over 20,000 vacancies reported in the thirteen counties of Central Minnesota.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The record high numbers of &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;job openings&lt;/a&gt; continued in 2022, with just over 20,000 vacancies reported in the thirteen counties of Central Minnesota. Although openings fell from the peak recorded in 2021, they are still well above historical norms. To give you an idea of just how many openings that is, it amounts to 7.5% of all employment in the region. Or, for every 100 filled jobs in the region, 7.5 are unfilled and open for job seekers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The median wage offer for all openings combined was $18.05 per hour, an astonishing 18.2% increase from 2021 from a gain of $2.77 per hour. While that is a massive increase, inflation during the same period offset much of that gain. Despite the negative impact of high inflation, it&apos;s important to note that &quot;real&quot; wage growth (adjusted for inflation) still gained considerable ground in the region, growing by 9.4% since 2021 (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/41423_CEN_Figure1_tcm1045-574588.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Job Vacancies and Median Wage Offer&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Job Vacancies and Median Wage Offer&quot; style=&quot;width: 95%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;41423_CEN_Figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Like prior years, the largest number of openings were for Food Prep &amp;amp; Serving occupations (2,629 openings), followed by Sales &amp;amp; Related (2,437 openings) and Transportation &amp;amp; Material Moving (1,845 openings). High numbers of openings are common in occupational categories, like these, that have high turnover rates.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Entry level occupations can be considered the start of a person&apos;s career ladder, an easily accessible proving ground that supports many other career pathways. While typically viewed negatively by employers, high turnover rates in this case are the result of new workers getting their first job in an entry level occupation and gaining the skills and experience that prepare them for their next position, thus leaving and creating another opening. Food Prep &amp;amp; Serving occupations are a great example of a largely entry level category with this turnover pattern. Most of the openings are part-time (72%) and they had the lowest median wage offer ($13.43), becoming a highly flexible labor force entry point with few barriers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/41423_CEN_Figure2_tcm1045-574589.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Vacancies by Occupational Gropu&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Vacancies by Occupational Gropu&quot; style=&quot;width: 90%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;41423_CEN_Figure2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>574585</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:36Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Central Minnesota has a very active labor force, with both men and women participating at higher rates than statewide.</Description><Audience/><Title>Men - and Women - at Work</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Men - and Women - at Work</Title><title>2023-03-10 Work ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-570166&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2023-03-20T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Central Minnesota has a very active labor force, with both men and women participating at higher rates than statewide.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota has a very active labor force, with both men and women participating at higher rates than statewide. In 2021, 72.9% of men and 66.2% of women aged 16 years and over in the region were actively participating in the labor force, which was above the state rate at 72.7% and 65.6%, respectively.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A high labor force participation rate is a positive measure for many indicators, both economic and social. Although there are roughly 26,000 more men in the labor force than women in Central Minnesota, women had a substantially lower rate of unemployment at 3.2% versus 4.1% for men in 2021.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Nationally, labor force participation rates declined for both men and women in 2020 at the outset of the Pandemic Recession, but have since been making slow progress to recover losses. As of January 2023, &lt;a href=&quot;https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LNS11300002&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Women are just 0.8 percentage points from recovering&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LNS11300001&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;men are still 1.2 percentage points away&lt;/a&gt; from their pre-pandemic rate in January 2020.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although regional or local participation rates are not produced monthly, recent &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/qed/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;quarterly employment data&lt;/a&gt; by gender help shed some light on the pandemic&apos;s impact to men and women in the labor force. There has been no apparent shift in the share of jobs held by men and women in Central Minnesota, both are simply holding a smaller number of jobs than prior to the pandemic. This does not imply that the Pandemic Recession affected men and women in the same way, but it does imply that changes in the economy caused men and women to leave jobs at similar rates.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/031423_cen_Figure1_tcm1045-570168.png&quot; title=&quot;A Very Non-Dramatic Graph Showing the Share of Jobs Held by Men and Women in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;A Very Non-Dramatic Graph Showing the Share of Jobs Held by Men and Women in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 80%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;031423_cen_Figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;One challenge with aggregate employment data is that they count full-time and part-time jobs the same, so that may mask some of the larger job changes across genders. The good news is that average earnings for women increased 17.3% from pre-pandemic times through the 1st quarter of 2022, compared to 16.7% for men, though it&apos;s possible some portion of the wage growth could be from fewer women holding lower-paying or part-time jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>570166</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:35Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Median hourly wages in Central Minnesota grew by 14.7% from 2019 to 2021, a respectable amount with even more wage growth likely in 2022.</Description><Audience/><Title>The Age of Wage Growth in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>The Age of Wage Growth in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2023-02-08 QED ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-565214&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2023-02-14T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Median hourly wages in Central Minnesota grew by 14.7% from 2019 to 2021, a respectable amount with even more wage growth likely in 2022.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Median hourly wages in Central Minnesota grew by 14.7% from 2019 to 2021, a respectable amount with even more wage growth likely in 2022. However, hourly wage data lag by roughly a year. Yet changes in the early stages of the rapid inflation increase sheds light on what types of workers were able to command higher wages and in what industries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The highest wage growth over the two-year period was earned by teenage workers, who saw median hourly wages balloon 17.9% over the two-year period. Meanwhile, workers aged 55 years and older saw median wages grow the slowest (14.2%). You might be thinking that teenage workers were benefiting from the Leisure &amp;amp; Hospitality sector pushing their wages higher due to the struggle to find and recall workers, and while that statement is true, it&apos;s actually not the main cause of rapid wage growth for teenagers over the period.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Accommodation &amp;amp; Food Services industry actually saw lower than average wage growth of 15.8% for teenagers from 2019 to 2021, while the related Retail Trade industry saw higher 18.2% growth. The largest jump in median wages for teenagers was in the Transportation &amp;amp; Warehousing industry at 27.1%. However, very few teenagers are employed in the industry, as they account for just 2.7% of jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Despite most industries providing teenagers with wage growth slower than the overall growth, all but the Information industry outpaced inflation. This translated to real wage growth for teenage workers from 2019 to 2021, as inflation and wages began to ramp up in 2022.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The story of high inflation and wage growth continues to evolve, and the ending is not yet written. Many factors can push up or pull down wages and inflation as we saw in 2022.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/020823_cen_figure1_tcm1045-565209.png&quot; title=&quot;Median Wage Growth for Teenage Workers in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Median Wage Growth for Teenage Workers in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;020823_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>565214</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:35Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>In the months prior to the pandemic, Central Minnesota was the home to just under 410,000 workers, either employed or unemployed and actively looking for work.</Description><Audience/><Title>The Rise and Fall of Central Minnesota&apos;s Labor Force</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>The Rise and Fall of Central Minnesota&apos;s Labor Force</Title><title>2023-01-04 Labor Force ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-559327&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2023-01-11T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>In the months prior to the pandemic, Central Minnesota was the home to just under 410,000 workers, either employed or unemployed and actively looking for work.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In the months prior to the pandemic, Central Minnesota was the home to just under 410,000 workers, either employed or unemployed and actively looking for work. That was a new monthly high, as the region&apos;s labor force had been steadily growing for more than a century, following regional population trends. However, implications of the pandemic caused a sudden shift in the labor market, and thousands of people left the labor force in the first year after &quot;COVID-19&quot; entered our lexicon.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;After adding more than 100,000 workers in the 20 years preceding 2020, roughly 24,000 workers left Central Minnesota&apos;s labor force over the year from March 2020 to March 2021, a 6% decline. On an annual basis, which is the average across all 12 months, the decline was less severe but still notable. Central Minnesota averaged 401,311 workers in 2019 and then 399,966 workers in 2020, before dropping by more than 14,350 workers to 385,615 workers in 2021, the lowest number since 2015.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The region did see about 6,500 workers enter or come back into the labor force in 2022, averaging just over 392,000 workers through the first 11 months of the year. While this was a significant recovery, Central Minnesota was still down more than 9,000 workers compared to pre-pandemic levels.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To that end, another hurdle facing a return to &quot;normal times&quot; regarding the labor force is the shrinking number of unemployed workers. The labor force is made up of both employed workers and unemployed workers who are actively looking for work. Workers who are unemployed include people with short bouts of unemployment that occur between entering the labor market, changing jobs, or moving to a new area, which are examples of frictional unemployment. The good news is that there is essentially no structural unemployment yet, the type that occurs when industry segments lay off workers due to a recession or downward trend in the business cycle.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The bad news is employers looking to hire workers  are searching for a decreasing number of available workers in a much larger economy. Despite shrinking in 2020, the labor force was 53% bigger in November 2022 compared to November 1990, but the number of unemployed workers was 34% smaller. In raw numbers, it means the region has 136,000 more workers now, but 4,500 fewer workers who were unemployed in 2022 than in 1990 (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/010423_cen_figure1_tcm1045-559329.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota&apos;s Labor Force and Unemployed Workers&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota&apos;s Labor Force and Unemployed Workers&quot; style=&quot;width: 80%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;010423_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In theory, this means that every worker that has entered the Central Minnesota labor force over the past 30 years has gotten a job. With the fewest number of unemployed workers to hire from in decades, employers will continue to compete for new hires and sweeten the pot to lure workers away from their current employer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;luke.greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>559327</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:35Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Home ownership has long been held in high regard in America</Description><Audience/><Title>Inflation, Interest, and Housing</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Inflation, Interest, and Housing</Title><title>2022-12-14 Housing ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-551973&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2022-12-14T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Home ownership has long been held in high regard in America</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Home ownership has long been held in high regard in America. Owning a home can provide housing stability, mitigate risks of rent increases, and build and transfer wealth. However, home ownership is not without downsides, such as maintenance, large down payments, geographic immobility, and interest costs, all of which can easily create problems for homeowners. Despite the risks, owning a home is an important part of the American Dream and has been a terrific investment for most who have taken the leap.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;According to the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/nar-finds-share-of-first-time-home-buyers-smaller-older-than-ever-before#:~:text=The%20age%20of%20the%20typical,from%2056%20years%20in%202021&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;National Association of Realtors&lt;/a&gt;, the median age of first-time home buyers in the U.S. was 36 years in 2022, up from 33 just a year ago, and is now the oldest age recorded. With more intentional mortgage lending practices put in place after the financial crisis and Great Recession in 2008, an applicant would be hard pressed to be approved for any type of mortgage without being gainfully employed or having already accumulated enough wealth. In Central Minnesota, just over two-thirds of owner-occupied housing units have a mortgage, which equals nearly 140,000 homes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Thanks to the tightest labor market in most workers&apos; lifetimes, finding employment shouldn&apos;t be a barrier to home ownership, but as the battle to pull down inflation continues, housing affordability has become more challenging. This is especially problematic for people in the bottom half of the wealth distribution. This group saw their already disproportionately high share of wealth held in real estate grow by 16%, by the 2nd quarter of 2022 from 2019. Roughly &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/z1/dataviz/dfa/compare/chart/#quarter:131;series:Assets;demographic:networth;population:all;units:levels&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;59% of wealth held by the bottom half of the wealth distribution is in real estate&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While people who owned homes prior to the pandemic have benefited from valuation increases due to the frenzied buying atmosphere since 2020, the fast price increases can push many would-be homebuyers out of the market. In addition to inflated home prices, there are substantially higher mortgage rates, which effectively decrease the purchasing power of workers. Homes prices are higher while workers can buy less for their money. From the second quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2022, &lt;a href=&quot;https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MNSTHPI&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;home values (based on sale prices and appraisals) increased by 34%&lt;/a&gt; and 30-year fixed mortgage rates ranged from between 3.5% and 4.5% to &lt;a href=&quot;https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MORTGAGE30US&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;topping 7% in the past month&lt;/a&gt;, nearly doubling.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To demonstrate &lt;a href=&quot;https://fm.fanniemae.com/homeownership/resources/financial-calculators/mortgage-calculator&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;the challenge facing many workers looking to purchase a home&lt;/a&gt;, a typical 4% interest rate on a $200,000 home in 2019 would require a monthly payment of roughly $1,300 with taxes and insurance after a 5% down payment. The same home and down payment in 2022 would require over $300 more per month to purchase.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;But home prices have also ballooned over this period, accounting for inflated home prices (+34%), which means that $200,000 home in 2019 is likely worth close to $270,000 in 2022. Adjusting for home price increases means the same home would require home buyers to dedicate well over $2,200 per month to pay for increases in the cost of their mortgage, interest rate, insurance, and taxes. To buy the same house in 2022, homebuyers would need to spend 75% more! Meanwhile, median wages for workers in Minnesota increased less than 8% from 2019 to 2021.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For context, the median mortgage cost in 2020 for Central Minnesota was $1,511, and only 22% of houses with a mortgage had monthly payments over $2,000 just two years ago. Wages have a lot of catching up to do before workers of Central Minnesota regain pre-pandemic housing affordability. Because of that, workforce housing, both rental and owner-occupied, remains a struggle in many communities in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/121222_cen_figure1_tcm1045-551974.png&quot; title=&quot;Chance in Home Ownership Cost for $200,000 Home&quot; alt=&quot;Chance in Home Ownership Cost for $200,000 Home&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;121222_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-223-6992.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>551973</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:27Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>U.S. military veterans are small in number in comparison to the total population, but make a large impact in our country, state, and region.</Description><Audience/><Title>Honoring Our Heroes</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Honoring Our Heroes</Title><title>2022-11-4 Veterans ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-546856&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2022-11-08T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>U.S. military veterans are small in number in comparison to the total population, but make a large impact in our country, state, and region.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;U.S. military veterans are small in number in comparison to the total population, but make a large impact in our country, state, and region. In Central Minnesota there are an estimated 41,750 military veterans, accounting for just under 6% of the total population. According to &lt;a href=&quot;https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=veteran&amp;amp;g=0400000US27_0500000US27009,27025,27059,27065,27067,27085,27093,27095,27115,27129,27141,27145,27171&amp;amp;tid=ACSST5Y2020.S2101&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Census estimates&lt;/a&gt;, there were more than 15,200 veterans in the region&apos;s labor market. Veterans are very active in the economy, with nearly 80% of veterans between 18 and 64 years of age participating in the labor force.
&lt;br /&gt;
After years of decreasing large scale deployments and a tight labor market, veterans in Central Minnesota have started displaying lower unemployment rates, lower even than for nonveterans, at 3.4% versus 3.7%, based on the latest detailed demographic data available from 2020. Unemployment rates have trended even lower since then, reaching historic lows in the summer of 2022.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although we have fewer veterans in Minnesota compared to states that have one or more military installations, it&apos;s important to understand the challenges and achievements our military veterans experience in the economy. Fortunately, there is &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.bls.gov/news.release/vet.htm&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;more substantial and detailed data on the employment of veterans nationally&lt;/a&gt; that can be added to local data from the year prior.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Employment Situation of Veterans 2021 Highlights&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The unemployment rate for all veterans (4.4%) was lower than the rate for nonveterans (5.3%) in 2021, and has been dropping.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Unemployment rates for both male and female veterans decreased in 2021. The rate for male veterans was 4.4%, little different from the rate of 4.2% for female veterans.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;In August 2021, 27% of employed veterans with a service-connected disability worked in the public sector, compared with 21% of veterans with no disability and 13% of nonveterans.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Employment Situation of Central Minnesota Veterans &lt;a href=&quot;https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=veteran&amp;amp;g=0400000US27_0500000US27009,27025,27059,27065,27067,27085,27093,27095,27115,27129,27141,27145,27171&amp;amp;tid=ACSST5Y2020.S2101&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;2020 Highlights&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Veteran unemployment is lower in Central Minnesota than the rest of the state, at 3.4% in 2020 compared to 3.9% statewide.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;About 6.5% of veterans in the region are women.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;By race, over 96.6% of veterans in the region are White, with Two or More Races, Black or African American, and Hispanic or Latino each reporting just over 1.2%.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Veterans are more likely than nonveterans to have a high school diploma/GED as their highest level of education, and less likely to have a bachelor&apos;s degree (19.3% compared to 24.6%)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has a team dedicated to serving Minnesotan veterans and their needs. Check out the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/dedicated-veterans-employment-team&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForce Veterans Employment Services&lt;/a&gt; page to find your regional contact and how they might help you or a veteran you know. DEED also &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/veterans-employer-resources&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;assists employers hiring veterans&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;We can all thank a veteran for answering the call to duty.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-223-6992.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>546856</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:27Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Manufacturing in Demand in Central Minnesota</Description><Audience/><Title>Manufacturing in Demand in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Manufacturing in Demand in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2022-9-14 Manufacturing ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-541316&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2022-09-22T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Accounting for 15% of all jobs in the region, Manufacturing is the second largest industry in Central Minnesota.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Accounting for 15% of all jobs in the region, Manufacturing is the second largest industry in Central Minnesota. Almost 1,200 Manufacturing establishments provide roughly 40,000 jobs, with average annual wages topping $60,585 which is almost $10,000 more than average wages across the total of all industries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The tight labor market and high demand for goods has pushed Manufacturing wages and openings higher than ever before, with Central Minnesota manufacturers posting a record number of more than 2,300 job vacancies in 2021. The median hourly wage offer in Manufacturing climbed to $19.49 by the end of 2021, and is likely still increasing as demand remains high in 2022.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Production occupations that offered the largest number of openings in Central Minnesota include Welders with a median wage offer of $23.43, Assemblers &amp;amp; Fabricators ($23.64), Engine &amp;amp; Machine Assemblers ($23.73) and CNC operators ($17.74). However, there are many other manufacturing-related occupations in demand in the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In fact, Machinists are ranked as the highest rated Manufacturing-related occupation in demand, requiring vocational training and paying a healthy $53,178 median wage. Other high paying, in-demand Manufacturing-related occupations include First-line Supervisors of Production &amp;amp; Operating Workers ($66,400 median wage), Industrial Engineers ($86,523), First Line Supervisors of Mechanics &amp;amp; Installers ($70,217), Mechanical Engineers (76,903), and Industrial Production Managers ($95,192).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/091422_cen_MFG_tcm1045-541283.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Manufacturing Related Occupations in Demand&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Manufacturing Related Occupations in Demand&quot; style=&quot;width: 90%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;091422_cen_MFG&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A variety of education levels are needed in Manufacturing, ranging from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree or higher. Gaining Manufacturing skills and knowledge in high school is a great way for students to bring more value to employers and gain access to higher paying jobs earlier in their careers. With plentiful job openings that pay better than many other industries, Manufacturers provide the region with a resilient economy and excellent careers. Students and jobseekers can find more information about in-demand careers in Manufacturing and STEM by using the &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/career-pathways-tool&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Career Pathways tool&lt;/a&gt;!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/industry/manufacturing&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Learn more about Manufacturing Month in Minnesota&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>541316</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:32Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Population Changes in Central Minnesota</Description><Audience/><Title>Population Changes in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Population Changes in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2022-8-23 Population ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-540096&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2022-09-08T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Central Minnesota was home to just under 735,000 people in 2021, comprising almost 13% of the state’s total population.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota was home to just under 735,000 people in 2021, comprising almost 13% of the state&apos;s total population. The region welcomed a 7.4% increase in population over the past 11 years, primarily due to rapid gains in EDR 7W, which is home to the growing Greater St. Cloud area. Central Minnesota was the second fastest growing region of the state, accounting for 12.5% of the state&apos;s population growth from 2010 to 2021. In comparison, Minnesota saw a 7.6% gain statewide (Table 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border=&quot;1&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;5&quot;&gt;Table 1. Population Change 2010-2021&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th rowspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; &lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th rowspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;2010 Population&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th rowspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;2021 Estimates&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;2010-2021 Change&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th&gt;&lt;em&gt;Number&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;&lt;em&gt;Percent&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Central Minnesota&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;684,001&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;734,514&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;50,513&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;7.4%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Region 6E&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;117,920&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;118,486&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;566&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;0.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Kandiyohi Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;42,239&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;43,767&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;1,526&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;3.6%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  McLeod Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;36,651&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;36,735&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;84&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;0.2%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Meeker Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;23,300&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;23,376&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;76&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;-0.3%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Renville Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;15,730&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;14,608&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;-1,122&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;-7.1%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Region 7E&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;163,789&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;171,703&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;7,914&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;4.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Chisago Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;53,887&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;57,469&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;3,582&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;6.6%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Isanti Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;37,816&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;41,906&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;4,090&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;10.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Kanabec Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;16,239&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;16,159&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;-80&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;-0.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Mille Lacs Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;26,097&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;26,867&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;770&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;3.0%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Pine Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;29,750&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;29,302&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;-448&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;-1.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Region 7W&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;402,292&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;444,325&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;42,033&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;10.4%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Benton Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;38,451&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;41,459&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;3,008&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;7.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Sherburne Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;88,499&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;99,074&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;10,575&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;11.9%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Stearns Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;150,642&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;158,947&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;8,305&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;5.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;  Wright Co.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;124,700&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;144,845&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;20,145&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;16.2%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Minnesota&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5,303,925&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5,707,390&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;403,465&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;7.6%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan=&quot;5&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Population growth and the corresponding growth of the labor force is at the epicenter of economic growth in the future. Ten of the 13 counties in the region gained population from 2010 to 2021, with the other three seeing decreases. Wright and Sherburne were the 3rd and 10th fastest growing counties in the state, respectively. In contrast, Renville was the 5th fastest declining county in the state and is now the smallest county in the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With a younger and fast-growing population, Central Minnesota experienced a natural increase – more births than deaths – of 1,933 people over the past year. In addition, the region gained residents from in-migration, with 6,609 more people moving into the region than moving out. The vast majority of in-migration (93%) was from domestic residents moving into the region from other areas of the state or other states and not from international migration like in the past. In a single year, domestic in-migration erased almost a decade of decline from residents and added an additional 3,643 domestic newcomers. The same year period saw international in-migration roughly halved (Table 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border=&quot;1&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;8&quot;&gt;Table 2. Estimates of the Components of Population Change, 2020-2021&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th rowspan=&quot;2&quot; /&gt;
&lt;th rowspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Total Change&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th rowspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Natural Increase&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Vital Events&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;3&quot;&gt;Net Migration&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Births&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Deaths&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;&lt;em&gt;Total&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;&lt;em&gt;Inter-national&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;&lt;em&gt;Domestic&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Central MN&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;8,574&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;1,933&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;10,415&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;8,482&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;6,609&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;460&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;6,149&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Minnesota&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;896&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;12,512&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;79,493&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;66,981&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;-11,734&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;4,213&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;-15,947&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan=&quot;8&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;International in-migration was still positive and accounted for 460 new residents, but since 2020 this dynamic has changed dramatically. From 2010 to 2019, the region gained almost 9,000 international immigrants and lost 2,500 domestic residents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;We have little data on the demographics of these domestic newcomers so far. If they are mostly of retirement age, they might not provide a corresponding bump in the labor force. It seems unlikely that the most recent domestic influx will become a long-term trend, and it&apos;s difficult to know exactly where this pipeline of domestic residents came from or if they will stay in the region, but it&apos;s certainly a win for Central Minnesota for now.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>540096</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:32Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Unfillable Openings in Central Minnesota</Description><Audience/><Title>Unfillable Openings in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Unfillable Openings in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2022-7-25 JVS ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-536001&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2022-07-28T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Employment in Central Minnesota has not yet recovered from the 2-month pandemic recession, but it&apos;s not from a lack of job openings.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Employment in Central Minnesota has not yet recovered from the 2-month pandemic recession, but it&apos;s not from a lack of job openings. Total employment in Central is still down roughly 10,000 jobs, but there were more than &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;21,000 vacancies&lt;/a&gt; in the fourth quarter of 2021, the period covered by the latest Job Vacancy Survey. If every opening could be filled, the recovery would be complete and the region would actually have grown employment by 4% over the pre-pandemic peak.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;However, the large number of workers who left the labor force have shifted job vacancy rates to record highs, nearly double the previous high. Central Minnesota&apos;s incredible 8.1% job vacancy rate – the number of vacancies for every 100 filled jobs – illustrates the leverage workers have in the current labor market, yet it&apos;s even higher in surrounding regions including Northwest, Northeast, and Southwest Minnesota. The record high numbers of openings combined with a record drop in labor force participants and historically few numbers of unemployed workers means it is basically impossible to fill every opening in the current labor market (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/072522_cen_figure1_tcm1045-536002.png&quot; title=&quot;Job Vacancy Rates&quot; alt=&quot;Job Vacancy Rates&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;072522_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With 21,410 job vacancies in the fourth quarter of 2021, there were 52% more job vacancies than the previous high recorded in 2019. Job vacancies are usually an indicator of a healthy and growing economy, but that correlation relies on the vacancies getting filled by workers. Large numbers of openings are still great news for job seekers and workers looking to make a change, but unfillable vacancies mean economic growth is being held back due to lack of labor.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Thanks in part to the tight labor market, wage growth has accelerated recently, but unfortunately inflation is now at 40-year highs and cutting into wage gains, in many cases completely erasing the raises workers receive. It&apos;s a curious situation for workers, as they gain more leverage from a tight labor market and fight for higher wages, their higher wages also contribute to higher inflation. Supply chain restraints are exacerbating this inflationary spiral.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Supply side inefficiencies are driving up inflation while slowing or limiting goods and services that can be sold. Meanwhile Americans everywhere are demanding higher wages to try and keep up with rising costs. The median wage offer for all job vacancies in the fourth quarter of 2021 was $17.26, but after adjusting for inflation the real median wage offer indexed to 2001 was $11.28, just 17 cents higher than it was in 2019 (Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/072522_cen_figure2_tcm1045-536003.png&quot; title=&quot;Job Vacancies in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Job Vacancies in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;072522_cen_figure2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Openings are abundant and at or near record highs for most occupational categories. The most numerous openings are for Food Prep &amp;amp; Serving workers (4,417 openings), followed far behind by Production, Sales, Health Care, Transportation, and Construction openings.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>536001</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:32Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>New Americans: Central Minnesota’s Immigrant Population</Description><Audience/><Title>New Americans: Central Minnesota’s Immigrant Population</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota Employment Projections</Title><title>2022-6-22 Projection ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-533221&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2022-07-07T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Employment growth in Central Minnesota is projected to grow by 5% from 2020 to 2030 according to DEED’s recently released employment projections.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Employment growth in Central Minnesota is projected to grow by 5% from 2020 to 2030 according to &lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/magda.olson/viz/GreinerProjectionsDash/Occupation&quot;&gt;DEED&apos;s recently released employment projections&lt;/a&gt;. This is slightly below the expected rate for Minnesota (+5.7%) and also lower than projected growth in the Twin Cities (+6.2%), Northeast Minnesota (+5.5%), and Northeast and Southeast Minnesota (both at +5.1%). Only Southwest Minnesota is projected to have slower job growth over the decade (+3.9%).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Projected employment changes are a reflection of many factors but one of the more important inputs are historical trends and labor force changes. Job growth requires either a growing labor force or more workers holding multiple jobs, with the latter being less desirable and common. The exodus of workers from the labor force over the past two years have shifted projected employment growth downward as more openings go unfilled.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;But fear not, employment growth, or slow or no growth does not necessarily mean there won&apos;t be terrific employment opportunities for workers in the region. Employment growth is simply the change in jobs (employment). There will be plentiful job openings to replace workers who exit the labor force in addition to new jobs being added to the economy. In fact, Central Minnesota is expected to have 15,046 openings from new job growth, and an even more impressive 136,960 openings from workers leaving the labor force. Combined we project more than 152,000 openings in the region from 2020 to 2030.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Of course, unforeseen economic events can drastically change the actual number, an economic downturn such as a recession could shift projected growth when they are updated next. Official statewide and regional projections are updated every even year with the next round of projections scheduled to be completed in 2024.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/magda.olson/viz/GreinerProjectionsDash/Occupation&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/cen-capture_tcm1045-533222.png&quot; title=&quot;2020-2030 Projected Openings in Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;2020-2030 Projected Openings in Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;cen-capture&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>533221</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:30Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>New Americans: Central Minnesota’s Immigrant Population</Description><Audience/><Title>New Americans: Central Minnesota’s Immigrant Population</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>New Americans: Central Minnesota’s Immigrant Population</Title><title>2022-5-11 Immigrant ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-528257&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2022-05-17T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>More than 27,000 immigrants live in Central Minnesota, accounting for roughly 3.7% of the entire population.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;More than 27,000 immigrants live in Central Minnesota, accounting for roughly 3.7% of the entire population. This is a substantially smaller share than statewide where 8.2% of the population is foreign-born. Fortunately, Central Minnesota is still experiencing population growth through natural increases (more births than deaths), positive domestic in-migration, and positive net international migration. All of these components boost the population in the region and provide positive labor force growth.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border=&quot;1&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th rowspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Table 1. Place of Birth for the Foreign Born Population, 2020&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Change from 2010-2020&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Minnesota&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th rowspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Change from 2010-2020&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Number&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Percent&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;&lt;em&gt;Number&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;&lt;em&gt;Percent&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Number&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Percent&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Total, Foreign-born Population&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;27,176&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3.7%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;9,278&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;51.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;470,687&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;8.2%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;28.3%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Europe&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2,681&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;9.9%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-265&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-9.0%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;45,867&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;9.7%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;1.9%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Asia&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;6,618&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;24.4%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;1,537&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;30.2%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;174,828&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;37.1%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;28.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Africa&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;9,248&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;34.0%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;6,872&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;289.2%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;125,135&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;26.6%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;78.2%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Oceania&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;52&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;0.2%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-17&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-24.6%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1,846&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;0.4%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;15.4%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Americas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;8,577&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;31.6%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;1,151&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;15.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;123,011&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;26.1%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;7.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;Americas: - Latin America&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;7,481&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;87.2%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;904&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;13.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;111,190&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;90.4%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;9.6%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;em&gt;Americas: - Northern America&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;1,096&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;12.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;247&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;29.1%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;11,821&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;9.6%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-6.3%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan=&quot;8&quot; align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://data.census.gov/cedsci/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While immigrants help boost the region&apos;s population, the immigrant population in Central Minnesota is unique compared to Minnesota as a whole, with a far smaller share from Asia and a larger share from both Africa and Latin America. The share of immigrants from Europe is roughly the same as the rate found statewide, representing one-in-ten immigrants in the region (see Table 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota&apos;s immigrant population has different skill levels compared to the domestic population as measured by formal education and English proficiency. Just 7.3% of the region&apos;s total population aged 25 and older has not attained a high school diploma, compared to 29% of immigrants who are 25 years or older. A high school diploma/GED is necessary for most jobs, including many entry level openings. Another important employment skill is mastering the English language. In Central Minnesota, 19% of immigrants do not speak English well or at all. Both the lack of a high school diploma and the inability to speak English is a barrier to many employment opportunities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/051022-Cen_figure1_tcm1045-528247.png&quot; title=&quot;Immigrant Educational Attainment&quot; alt=&quot;Immigrant Educational Attainment&quot; style=&quot;width: 70%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;051022-Cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Immigrants come to Central Minnesota from all over the world with different skills, languages and cultures and they are embraced by many employers. However, immigrants without a high school diploma or English proficiency may find the doors closed to even entry-level employment opportunities. Fortunately, Leading CareerForce partners &lt;a href=&quot;https://careersolutionsjobs.org/job-seekers/adult-programs/learn-earn/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Career Solutions&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cmjts.org/programs/adult-programs/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota Jobs and Training&lt;/a&gt; Services provide excellent programs that can help immigrants in Central Minnesota attain these crucial skills and find a promising career path.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>528257</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:30Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Transporting the Recovery</Description><Audience/><Title>Transporting the Recovery</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Shifting Employment of Male and Female Workers in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2022-4-8 Shifting ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-525014&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2022-04-13T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Job losses in 2020 occurred across almost every industry to some degree, however certain sectors experienced more harsh impacts of the COVID-19 recession.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Job losses in 2020 occurred across almost every industry to some degree, however certain sectors experienced more harsh impacts of the COVID-19 recession. Furthermore the inability of certain industries to recover employment caused many temporary job losses to become a lingering problem. The layoffs and rebounding employment affected men and women workers to a different degree depending on the concentration of employment in certain industries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In Central Minnesota, women hold a slightly higher share of jobs compared to men at 50.5% and 49.5% respectively, but that higher share decreased slightly from 2019 to 2021, the result of more job losses by women than men.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The disproportionate share of job loss experienced by women can be attributed to the industries that women are employed in. Unlike the Great Recession, where job losses were highly concentrated in male dominated sectors like Manufacturing and Construction, the pandemic recession affected industries that employ a disproportionate amount of women – Health Care, Education, Accommodation and Food Services, and Other Services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A silver lining, albeit small, is that a few higher paying male-dominated sectors like Construction and Manufacturing hired women at higher rates than men over the same period (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/040822_cen_figure1_tcm1045-525015.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Employment Change by Gender&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Employment Change by Gender&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;040822_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;At the same time that layoffs were occurring, many women, typically the primary caretaker of children and aging adults, were facing pandemic-related policies that made balancing work and family responsibilities incredibly challenging. With Mother&apos;s Day right around the corner, it serves as a great reminder to consider how we might do a better job of supporting the women who participate in the labor force while also caring for family.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>525014</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:30Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Transporting the Recovery</Description><Audience/><Title>Transporting the Recovery</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Transporting the Recovery</Title><title>2022-3-11 Transport ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-521269&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2022-03-11T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>The Transportation industry has operated behind the scenes of our economy for decades to ensure goods and services are delivered and completed.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Transportation industry has operated behind the scenes of our economy for decades to ensure goods and services are delivered and completed. But recently their importance and our reliance on the Transportation industry for all facets of our life has been brought to light in the wake of product shortages and long lead times during the pandemic.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Despite the demand, and even though it mostly escaped pandemic-related business restrictions such as those seen in Accommodation &amp;amp; Food Services and the related Arts, Entertainment &amp;amp; Recreation sectors, the Transportation industry still has found itself stubbornly below pre-pandemic employment levels. From the third quarter of 2019 to the third quarter of 2021, the Transportation &amp;amp; Warehousing industry reported 438 fewer jobs in Central Minnesota, a 4.6% decline. This is a larger decline than in the overall economy in the region, and an indication of one of the challenges to keeping shelves stocked.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Adding to the challenges, trucking companies were struggling to find workers prior to the pandemic, before the &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/laus/Results.aspx?geog=2709CENT00&amp;amp;adjusted=0&amp;amp;periodtype=03&amp;amp;resultset=0&amp;amp;startyear=2011&amp;amp;endyear=2021&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;exodus of some 12,000 workers&lt;/a&gt; who have dropped out of the labor force in Central Minnesota from December of 2019 compared to December of 2021. Like almost every other sector, Transportation is feeling the labor shortage pinch now more than ever.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;But like most things over the past two years, looking only at the big picture hides importance nuances. In the Transportation &amp;amp; Warehousing industry some segments boosted employment (+214 jobs at Couriers &amp;amp; Messenger companies) while other segments saw declines (-382 jobs at Transit &amp;amp; Ground Passenger Transportation companies and -261 jobs at Truck Transportation companies).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Transit &amp;amp; Ground Passenger Transportation sector was hit especially hard, losing almost one in every five jobs over the two year period, more than double the percent decline experienced in the Accommodation &amp;amp; Food Services sector. Truck Transportation also lost a substantial share of jobs as evidenced by a 6% decline. Meanwhile the job gains at Courier &amp;amp; Messenger companies were a healthy +22% (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/030422_cen_figure1_rev_tcm1045-521276.png&quot; title=&quot;3rd Quarter Employment Change 2019-2021&quot; alt=&quot;3rd Quarter Employment Change 2019-2021&quot; style=&quot;width: 90%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;030422_cen_figure1_rev&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Looking at the most recent &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt;, the Transportation &amp;amp; Material Moving occupation category had the third largest number of job openings in the region, with over 2,573 openings in Central Minnesota. That was well above the previous record number of openings (1,526 openings in the second quarter of 2019). The large number of openings and the drive to regain employment lost in 2020 has pushed many Transportation &amp;amp; Material Moving occupations into the highest category of &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oid/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Occupations in Demand&lt;/a&gt; in the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In fact, CDL Truck Drivers are now the sixth highest demand occupation in Central Minnesota, with close to 6,000 people currently employed and a healthy median annual wage of just over $50,000. CDL driving provides many workers with livable wages despite a low investment in training and education. It should also be noted that the employment and median wages in Figure 2 do not include the many self-employed truck drivers who likely find their wages significantly higher than what is shown in the chart. Other transportation-related occupations in high demand include Stockers &amp;amp; Order Fillers, Material Moving Laborers, and Light Truck Drivers (see Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/030422_cen_figure2_tcm1045-521277.png&quot; title=&quot;Transportation Occupations in Demand&quot; alt=&quot;Transportation Occupations in Demand&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;030422_cen_figure2&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>521269</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:29Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Life of Leisure in Central Minnesota</Description><Audience/><Title>Life of Leisure in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Life of Leisure in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2022-2-10 Leisure ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-518677&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2022-02-14T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Leisure &amp; Hospitality was one of the industries hardest hit by the pandemic recession in Central Minnesota, slicing more than 9,000 jobs from the first quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2020 – a whopping 35% decline.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Leisure &amp;amp; Hospitality was one of the industries hardest hit by the pandemic recession in Central Minnesota, slicing more than 9,000 jobs from the first quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2020 - a whopping 35% decline. The region regained about 7,000 of those jobs by the third quarter of 2020, but was still down 4,500 jobs compared to the third quarter of 2019, prior to the pandemic.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Leisure &amp;amp; Hospitality industry continued to recover this year, adding more than 2,300 jobs from the third quarter of 2020 to the third quarter of 2021, accounting for almost one-third of the net job gains in the region over the past year. Leisure &amp;amp; Hospitality expanded nearly 10%, more than three times faster than the total of all industries (see Figure 1 and Table 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/021022_cen_figure1_tcm1045-518590.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Industry Employment Trends&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Industry Employment Trends&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;021022_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The biggest recovery occurred at Food Services &amp;amp; Drinking Places, which added 1,765 jobs over the past year, a 10% increase. Despite difficulty finding workers for open jobs, Restaurants regained almost 1,400 jobs from the third quarter of 2020 to the third quarter of 2021. Not surprisingly, the job gains were almost all at Full-service Restaurants, which recovered nearly 1,200 jobs, rather than Fast Food and other Limited Service Restaurants, which added only about 50 jobs over the year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The region also saw much faster growth at Special Food Services, which includes Caterers, Mobile Food Services, and Food Service Contractors, and Drinking Places, which both grew nearly 30% from 2020 to 2021 as customers returned in droves. Demand and employment also bounced back in Accommodation, especially at Hotels &amp;amp; Motels and RV Parks &amp;amp; Recreational Camps.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Most Amusement, Gambling &amp;amp; Recreation sectors also added jobs over the past year, with the exception of on-going declines at Fitness &amp;amp; Recreational Sports Centers. Golf Courses had another strong summer season as people enjoyed the outdoor activity and are actually up even compared to pre-pandemic employment levels (see Table 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Table 1. Central Minnesota Leisure &amp;amp; Hospitality Employment Trends, 2019-2021&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;table border=&quot;1&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; &lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Qtr. 3 2021&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Q3 2020-Q3 2021&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Q3 2019-Q3 2021&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th&gt;NAICS Code&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;NAICS Industry Title&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Number of Firms&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;Number of Jobs&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;&lt;em&gt;Numeric Change&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;&lt;em&gt;Percent Change&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;&lt;em&gt;Numeric Change&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th&gt;&lt;em&gt;Percent Change&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;0&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Total, All Industries&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;18,843&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;270,859&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+6,946&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+2.6%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-9,770&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-3.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1026&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Leisure &amp;amp; Hospitality&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1,611&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;26,338&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+2,329&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+9.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-2,205&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-7.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;71&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Arts, Entertainment, &amp;amp; Recreation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;360&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3,423&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+278&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+8.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-373&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-9.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;711&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;  Performing Arts, Sports &amp;amp; Events&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;65&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;262&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+54&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+26.0%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-61&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-18.9%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7111&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;    Performing Arts Companies&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;21&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;112&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+30&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+36.6%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-30&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-21.1%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7112&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;    Spectator Sports&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;14&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;86&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+11&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+14.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-34&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-28.3%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7113&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;    Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;11&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;37&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+5&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+15.6%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-8&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-17.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;712&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;  Museums &amp;amp; Historical Sites&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;29&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;192&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;ND&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;ND&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;0&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;0.0%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;713&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;  Amusement, Gambling, &amp;amp; Recreation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;266&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2,968&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+180&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+6.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-313&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-9.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7131&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;    Amusement Parks &amp;amp; Arcades&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;5&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;58&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+3&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+5.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+4&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;7.4%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7132&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;    Gambling Industries&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;8&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;26&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-1&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-3.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-21&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-44.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;71391&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;      Golf Courses &amp;amp; Country Clubs&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;54&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;1,238&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+66&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+5.6%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+10&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;0.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;71394&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;      Fitness &amp;amp; Recreational Sports Centers&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;68&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;573&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-26&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-4.3%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-150&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-20.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;71395&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;      Bowling Centers&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;21&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;295&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+48&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+19.4%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-58&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-16.4%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;71399&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;      All Other Amusement &amp;amp; Recreation&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;100&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;641&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+127&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+24.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-30&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-4.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;72&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Accommodation &amp;amp; Food Services&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1,251&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;22,915&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+2,051&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+9.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-1,832&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-7.4%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;721&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;  Accommodation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;143&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3,536&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+287&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+8.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-1,461&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-29.2%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7211&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;    Traveler Accommodation&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;104&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;3,066&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+147&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+5.0%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-1,336&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-30.3%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;72111&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;      Hotels (exc. Casino Hotels) &amp;amp; Motels&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;89&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;1,247&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+121&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+10.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-259&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-17.2%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;72112&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;      Casino Hotels&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;3&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;1,759&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+26&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+1.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-1,006&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-36.4%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;72119&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;      Other Traveler Accommodation&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;12&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;60&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+1&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+1.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-70&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-53.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7212&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;    RV Parks &amp;amp; Recreational Camps&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;32&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;320&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+100&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+45.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-186&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-36.8%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7213&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;    Rooming &amp;amp; Boarding Houses&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;7&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;149&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+39&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+35.5%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+61&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+69.3%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;722&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;  Food Services &amp;amp; Drinking Places&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1,108&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;19,379&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+1,765&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+10.0%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-371&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;-1.9%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7223&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;    Special Food Services&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;68&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;404&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+90&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+28.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-114&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-22.0%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7224&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;    Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;143&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;1,403&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+306&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+27.9%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+82&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+6.2%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7225&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;    Restaurants&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;897&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;17,571&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+1,368&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+8.4%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-339&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;-1.9%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan=&quot;8&quot; align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Source: DEED Quarterly Census of Employment &amp;amp; Wages&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Every industry in the region was trying to hire – with more than 21,935 openings detailed in the &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot;&gt;2021 Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt;. At that level, Central Minnesota reported the highest number of vacancies on record – up more than 6,000 from the previous high. This included nearly 4,600 vacancies in Accommodation &amp;amp; Food Services and almost 4,300 openings in Retail Trade.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Rising demand has created difficulties for employers to find new workers. Job seekers with skills in customer service will find a wide variety of openings and rising wages. The median wage offer for job openings in Accommodation &amp;amp; Food Services increased over $1 from 2020 to 2021, an 8.5% increase; compared to a 3.1% increase across all vacancies.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>518677</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:27Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Healthy Demand for Health Care Workers in Central Minnesota</Description><Audience/><Title>Healthy Demand for Health Care Workers in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Healthy Demand for Health Care Workers in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2021-12-27 Health Care ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-513812&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2021-12-27T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>As the pandemic stretches on, demand for health care workers is still surging in Central Minnesota.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As the pandemic stretches on, demand for health care workers is still surging in Central Minnesota. In sum, there were &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;2,645 job vacancies&lt;/a&gt; for Healthcare Practitioners &amp;amp; Technical and Healthcare Support workers in the second quarter of 2021. That was more than double the number of openings compared to the second quarter of 2020 at the outset of the pandemic, and 700 more than the previous peak in 2016. Hiring challenges have been steadily rising in recent years as health care employers have struggled to find enough workers to fill the growing number of positions available in the region; but this year demand is off the charts (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/122121_cen_figure1_tcm1045-513823.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Health Care Job Vacancies&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Health Care Job Vacancies&quot; style=&quot;width: 90%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;122121_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The region saw a bigger increase in demand for Healthcare Support jobs over the year, but both saw new record high numbers of vacancies. Educational requirements varied greatly by occupation, with 86% of Healthcare Practitioner &amp;amp; Technical openings requiring postsecondary education, compared to just 41% of Healthcare Support openings. Because of the higher requirements, wage offers were much higher for Healthcare Practitioners &amp;amp; Technical, at $24.50, compared to $14.12 an hour for Healthcare Support occupations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In practice, many of these Healthcare Support careers can be started with a high school diploma or less and some on-the-job training, primarily Home Health &amp;amp; Personal Care Aides and Nursing Assistants. Wage offers ranged between $13 and $15 for these jobs, which was up only slightly compared to the previous year. At a more detailed level, some Healthcare Support occupations that are in highest demand include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=311120&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E,EDR7E,EDR7W,CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Home Health &amp;amp; Personal Care Aides&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;818 vacancies, 70% part-time, 32% requiring postsecondary education, $13.14 wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=311131&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E,EDR7E,EDR7W,CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Nursing Assistants&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;437 vacancies, 59% part-time, 61% requiring postsecondary education, $15.04 wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=319092&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E,EDR7E,EDR7W,CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Medical Assistants&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;61 vacancies, 40% part-time, 47% requiring postsecondary education, $17.67 wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Demand was also rising rapidly for Healthcare Practitioners &amp;amp; Technical positions, including:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=291141&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E,EDR7E,EDR7W,CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Registered Nurses&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;513 vacancies, 26% part-time, 100% requiring postsecondary education, $25.90 wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=292061&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E,EDR7E,EDR7W,CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Licensed Practical &amp;amp; Licensed Vocational Nurses&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;217 vacancies, 51% part-time, 100% requiring postsecondary education, $20.40 wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=292052&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E,EDR7E,EDR7W,CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Pharmacy Technicians&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;93 vacancies, 31% part-time, 24% requiring postsecondary education, $18.22 wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=292098&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E,EDR7E,EDR7W,CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Medical Records Specialists&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;40 vacancies, 52% part-time, 34% requiring postsecondary education, $19.10 wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=291126&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E,EDR7E,EDR7W,CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Respiratory Therapists&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;35 vacancies, 39% part-time, 100% requiring postsecondary education, $28.74 wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=292040&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E,EDR7E,EDR7W,CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Emergency Medical Technicians &amp;amp; Paramedics&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;24 vacancies, 60% part-time, 15% requiring postsecondary education, $18.85 wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=292010&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E,EDR7E,EDR7W,CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Clinical Laboratory Technologists &amp;amp; Technicians&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;33 vacancies, 33% part-time, 57% requiring postsecondary education, $21.24 wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=291122&amp;amp;geog=EDR6E,EDR7E,EDR7W,CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Occupational Therapists&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;31 vacancies, 28% part-time, 100% requiring postsecondary education, $31.66 wage offer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Job seekers who are interested in pursuing a health care career will require time and training; but may be able to start in some of the entry-level Healthcare Support occupations in the region and then move their way up the career ladder. Many employers will even help pay for or provide the training to get workers into those jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Health Care Month: January 2022&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To learn more about Health Care Month in Minnesota, visit &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/HealthCare&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;careerforcemn.com/HealthCare&lt;/a&gt;. This page includes resources for job seekers, students and educators and employers. For example, &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/HealthCareMonthEvents&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;numerous hiring events and career fairs&lt;/a&gt; are happening throughout the month of January for those looking for work in the health care industry. Employers can also find additional resources for &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/employers&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;attracting, developing, and retaining talent online here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>513812</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:26Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Tis the Season for Retail in Central Minnesota</Description><Audience/><Title>Tis the Season for Retail in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Tis the Season for Retail in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2021-12-06 Retail ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-511891&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2021-12-06T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Shopping is an important part of the holiday season, highlighting the presence of retail trade in the region.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Shopping is an important part of the holiday season, highlighting the presence of Retail Trade in the region. Through the second quarter of 2021, there were nearly 2,250 Retail establishments providing just over 36,000 jobs in the 13 counties of Central Minnesota, accounting for about 13.3% of total employment in the region. That means that one in every 7.5 jobs in the region is in Retail Trade.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The largest sectors in Retail in the region include General Merchandise Stores, which had 7,730 jobs at 146 stores; Food &amp;amp; Beverage Stores, which had 6,446 jobs at 238 establishments; Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers, which had 5,373 jobs at 375 dealerships; and Gasoline Stations, which had 4,687 jobs at 330 establishments.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Retail endured some immediate changes in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but has bounced back quickly. In the second quarter of 2020 as restrictions were put in place, Retail employment dropped by 3,340 jobs compared to the prior year, a -9.2% decline. Then as things opened back up and the economy recovered, Retailers added back just under 2,900 jobs from the second quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2021. That put Retail Trade back at 98.8% of pre-pandemic employment levels, compared to 96.3% across all industries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Several subsectors, including General Merchandise Stores, Building Material and Garden Equipment Supplies Dealers, Health and Personal Care Stores, and Nonstore Retailers all reported more jobs in the second quarter of 2021 than they had prior to the pandemic! Employment was also pretty steady at Gas Stations and Food and Beverage Stores (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/120121_cen_figure1_tcm1045-511901.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Retail Trade Employment Changes 2019-2021&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Retail Trade Employment Changes 2019-2021&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;120121_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With demand rising, Retailers in Central Minnesota reported nearly &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/jvs/Results.aspx&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;4,300 vacancies in the second quarter of 2021&lt;/a&gt;, easily the highest number on record. That was an 80% increase over the year, equal to an additional 1,900 vacancies in comparison to the second quarter of 2020 (Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/120121_cen_figure2_tcm1045-511902.png&quot; title=&quot;Retail Trade Vacancies in Central Minnesota 2001-2021&quot; alt=&quot;Retail Trade Vacancies in Central Minnesota 2001-2021&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;120121_cen_figure2&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The increasing number of vacancies is due in part to growth in retail trade employment, and also to the tight labor market. Many of these jobs have remained open for long periods of time as retailers have struggled to fill vacancies in a strong economy where jobseekers have access to many other opportunities. Retail Trade has responded by improving the quality of the jobs available – for example, median wage offers have climbed more than $2 per hour in Central Minnesota since the second quarter of 2019, prior to the pandemic. However, wage offers were still relatively low, at $13.92 in Retail.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The median wage offers for &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/41-2011.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Cashiers&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/41-2031.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Retail Salespersons&lt;/a&gt; were still below $12.50 per hour, with more than 1,500 openings in the region. Likewise, there were about 450 vacancies for &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/53-7065.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Stockers and Order Fillers&lt;/a&gt;, with a median wage offer of $12.22. As workers move up in responsibility, the median wage offer for the 860 &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers/41-1011.00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;First-line Supervisors of Retail Workers&lt;/a&gt; openings was $15.85.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Many jobseekers value the flexibility that comes with retail employment, but the percentage of jobs that are part-time was also changing – less than half (41%) of the vacancies were part-time in 2021. Many retail jobs are also seasonal, allowing jobseekers to work during the busy times to earn extra money. In addition to the cash, most retail jobs also teach valuable job skills including customer service, teamwork, and problem solving. With a multitude of vacancies, jobseekers might like to see what&apos;s in store for them in retail.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>511891</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:25Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Thank You for Your Service</Description><Audience/><Title>Thank You for Your Service</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Thank You for Your Service</Title><title>2021-11-08 Veterans ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-507949&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2021-11-08T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>As more and more veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and other conflicts have reached retirement age over the past several decades, the share of the Central Minnesota labor force made up of current or former members of the U.S. military has generally declined.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As more and more veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and other conflicts have reached retirement age over the past several decades, the share of the Central Minnesota labor force made up of current or former members of the U.S. military has generally declined. But veterans remain an excellent source of highly-skilled, highly-committed workers for employers who need to fill open jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Military veterans have long been held in high esteem for their sacrifice of self for country, an honor so revered that President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as Armistice Day. It was dedicated as a day to reflect on the pride and heroism of those who died in the country&apos;s service and gratitude for the victory of World War I. In 1954, after the greatest mobilization of armed forces in our nation&apos;s history, the word &quot;Armistice&quot; was replaced with the word &quot;Veterans&quot; and November 11th became a day to honor all American veterans.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Once their military service is completed, many veterans start or resume their civilian careers. According to estimates from the Census Bureau, more than 42,000 veterans call Central Minnesota home, representing 8.7% of the region&apos;s population 18 years and older.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Over time, many employers have emphasized the recruitment of veterans for obvious reasons such as their self-discipline, honed skillset and determination. Veterans have long filled employer pipelines for highly skilled technicians and managers, but the number of veterans in the workforce is declining.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/102721_cen_figure1_tcm1045-507974.png&quot; title=&quot;Age Profile of Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Age Profile of Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 60%;&quot; class=&quot;photoRightNoBorder&quot; xlink:title=&quot;102721_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;Similar but much more dramatic than the overall population, our veterans are aging out of the labor force. In just the last ten years, Central Minnesota has seen its population of veterans drop by almost 11,000 people, to 42,587. As shown in Figure 1, 54% of veterans in Central Minnesota are 65 years or older, compared to just 17% of the overall population. At the other end of the age dynamic, less than one-in-ten veterans are under 35 years of age.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This doesn&apos;t mean that actively recruiting military veterans is a lost cause for employers, but it does mean that the majority of veterans in the region are likely eligible for Social Security retirement benefits and might be looking for a different type of employment, perhaps part-time or seasonal work. Meanwhile the population of our youngest veterans has remained relatively stable and now makes up a slightly larger share of veterans (9% in 2019 compared to 6.5% in 2010). There were just over 16,000 veterans from 18 to 64 years of age in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While you pause on November 11th to reflect on the sacrifices of our military veterans, employers should also pause to consider how their organization is recruiting and promoting their employment opportunities to veterans.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>507949</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:25Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Promoting Manufacturing for Retention and Recruitment in Central Minnesota</Description><Audience/><Title>Promoting Manufacturing for Retention and Recruitment in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Promoting Manufacturing for Retention and Recruitment in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2021-09-27 Mfg ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-500655&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2021-09-27T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Manufacturing is Central Minnesota’s second largest employing industry, providing nearly 40,000 jobs with an average annual wage of more than $57,500, well above the region’s overall average of $48,500.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Manufacturing is Central Minnesota&apos;s second largest employing industry, providing nearly 40,000 jobs with an average annual wage of more than $57,500, well above the region&apos;s overall average of $48,500. The most recent &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;job vacancy survey&lt;/a&gt; reported the second highest amount of Manufacturing job openings in the past 20 years (1,718 Manufacturing vacancies), showing there is a fantastic amount of opportunities for workers looking to find a career in Manufacturing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With occupations like Packaging &amp;amp; Filling Machine Operators, Metal &amp;amp; Plastics Workers, Assemblers &amp;amp; Fabricators, Other Production Workers, as well as First-Line Supervisors, Manufacturing companies mainly employ workers in production occupations. However, it&apos;s important to note that roughly 50% of Manufacturing jobs aren&apos;t in production, but are instead in Transportation &amp;amp; Warehousing, Office &amp;amp; Administrative support, Architecture &amp;amp; Engineering, or Management occupations, among a few others (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/091621_cen_figure1_tcm1045-500680.png&quot; title=&quot;Share of Manufacturing Employment by Occupational Category&quot; alt=&quot;Share of Manufacturing Employment by Occupational Category&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;091621_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Even with such high demand, the barriers to entry into a Manufacturing career are relatively low. Over three-quarters of the openings manufacturers posted in the fourth  quarter of 2020 required a high school diploma or less, with employers placing a higher premium on work experience. About half of jobs required at least one year of prior work experience and many employers report that they provide on-the-job training. This is terrific news for new workers as well as workers looking for a career change without having to invest significant time and money into pursuing higher education.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The availability of Manufacturing jobs that can be attained without higher education means high school students and recent graduates are excellent candidates to begin a career in Manufacturing. E employers and school districts can benefit students by &lt;strong&gt;1)&lt;/strong&gt; increasing awareness of the wide variety of careers at local manufacturers, and &lt;strong&gt;2)&lt;/strong&gt; by helping high school students gain basic skills to get them started on the right foot.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Student survey results from the 2019 EPIC Career Exploration event illustrate that only 4% of students responded that they were most interested in Manufacturing, even as 11% indicated they were interested in the related STEM cluster. Collaborative employer-education partnerships can help connect the dots for students and make them aware of the many opportunities in Manufacturing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Retention of existing workers is even more important in the heated labor market Central Minnesota employers are seeing in 2021. After dipping during the Great Recession, turnover rates had been increasing until 2020 with workers enjoying increased job mobility. Then the instability of the pandemic recession caused a brief moment of low overall turnover as employment transitions all but ceased. However, the labor market has since tightened and employer hiring demand is at an all-time high, which will again, in all probability, lead to higher rates of turnover until employer demand decreases.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Money Talks&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Of course money isn&apos;t everything, but it is one of the biggest driving factors for workers who are shopping for jobs, regardless of their employment status. So it makes sense from a recruitment and retention standpoint for manufacturers to ensure current wage and salary packages are competitive in their region and neighboring regions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Employers and workers who want to gauge the competitiveness of their compensation package should look at the range of wages for occupations of interest. This &lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/magda.olson/viz/GreinerOESDash/Hourly&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics&lt;/a&gt; dashboard provides regional hourly and annual wage information that helps users determine how competitive wages are for selected occupations. Users can select a geography and then search for a specific occupation to see local wage and employment estimates (see Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/091621_cen_figure2_tcm1045-500681.png&quot; title=&quot;Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics&quot; alt=&quot;Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics&quot; style=&quot;width: 85%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;091621_cen_figure2&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Manufacturing employment is poised for a healthy increase according to job vacancy survey data, yet employment growth is being curtailed by scarcity of new workers in the labor force. Ensuring wages are competitive is an obvious recruitment strategy, but it&apos;s unclear if wages alone will encourage workers on the sideline to try a career in Manufacturing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Regional and statewide resources for manufacturing employers, educators and students:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Exploring Potential Interests &amp;amp; Careers EPIC Career Exploration Event &amp;amp; Opportunities&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.midwestmanufacturers.com/cmma/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/industry/manufacturing&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForceMN.com/Manufacturing&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>500655</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:24Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Construction Employment Booming</Description><Audience/><Title>Construction Employment Booming</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Construction Employment Booming</Title><title>2021-08-30 Construction ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-495880&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2021-08-30T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>The Construction industry is booming in Central Minnesota.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Construction industry is booming in Central Minnesota. In fact, in the past five years, Construction employers added more jobs than all other industries combined. The reason behind that impressive statistic is that Construction firms maintained employment in 2020 while nearly every other industry shed jobs due to the pandemic recession.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Construction has been on the rise for years since being pummeled during the Great Recession. Construction firms in Central Minnesota benefit from being able to serve the Twin Cities metro area when times are good, while also having a diverse agriculture economy to help offset economic business cycles.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With low mortgage interest rates, home buyers and renovators continued to provide demand for construction projects, which was amplified even more with lots of employees working from home due to the pandemic. Many of these homebound homeowners realized the need to tackle remodeling projects they didn&apos;t see before spending so much time at home. In addition, more first time home buyers wanted a home of their own. While the number of jobs in almost all other industries were falling, construction employment held steady as demand for construction held steady. Construction employment was down just slightly from the first quarter of 2020 to the first quarter of 2021 (-0.5%).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Figure 1 illustrates how Construction followed a similar trend to the broad regional economy until 2020, when the trend diverged. The pandemic recession managed to flatten Construction employment, whereas the overall economy is still down 5%.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/082721_cen_figure1_tcm1045-495873.png&quot; title=&quot;Quarterly Employment in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Quarterly Employment in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;082721_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In step with employment trends, Construction job openings also proved steadfast in the past year. Central Minnesota is the only region that showed a growing number of Construction job openings in the 4th quarter of 2020, with 749 Construction openings, an increase of 74 openings from 2019.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The largest number of openings was for Carpenters (396 openings), followed by Construction Laborers (119 openings) and Highway Maintenance Workers (68 openings). Median wage offers for Construction occupations ranged from $15 per hour for entry level Construction Laborers to just over $22 per hour for Carpenters that have at least a year of experience.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The most common occupation found in the Construction industry is Carpenters, representing 12.7% of statewide construction employment. Median hourly wages for fifteen of the most common construction occupations are all above $20 per hour with the only exception being Sales Representatives. Many common Construction occupations require on-the-job training, an apprenticeship, or vocational training. Of the fifteen most common occupations, only Construction Managers and General and Operations Managers require a bachelor&apos;s degree (Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/082721_cen_figure2_tcm1045-495874.png&quot; title=&quot;Most Common Construction Occupations&quot; alt=&quot;Most Common Construction Occupations&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;082721_cen_figure2&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In addition to covered employment, an estimated one- in- five construction workers are self-employed in the United States. These independent contractors have been busy as well. The strength of Central Minnesota&apos;s Construction sector is a positive indicator of the overall confidence employers and consumers have in the region. This means that Construction&apos;s stable employment is good news for the broader economy in the short term.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>495880</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:24Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Employment Trends in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Employment Trends in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2021-08-06 Trends ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-493332&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2021-08-10T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Recently released data from the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program allows us to see how employment is trending for Central Minnesota through the first quarter of 2021.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Recently released data from the Department of Employment and Economic Development&apos;s (DEED) &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/qcew/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages&lt;/a&gt; (QCEW) program allows us to see how employment is trending for Central Minnesota through the first quarter of 2021. This data, which provides a count of jobs at all establishments covered under the Unemployment Insurance Program, is available at several different geographic levels, including the State of Minnesota, its regions, counties, and cities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;During the first quarter of 2021, the 13-county Central Minnesota region of Minnesota had 18,962 establishments supplying an average of 259,172 covered jobs. Total quarterly payroll was just under $3.13 billion, with the average annual wage across all industries equal to $48,204. Over-the-year, between the first quarters of 2020 and 2021, total employment in Central Minnesota dropped by 13,284 jobs (Figure 1). This drop brought the region&apos;s first quarter employment to its lowest level since 2014. The region&apos;s employment drop of 4.9% between the first quarters of 2020 and 2021, however, was less severe than Minnesota&apos;s (-6.0%).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/080621_cen_figure1_tcm1045-493333.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Quarterly Employment Trends&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Quarterly Employment Trends&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;080621_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Reading Figure 1, one will see that Central Minnesota did lose jobs between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021. While this does represent a pause in employment recovery from the losses caused by COVID-19, it should be noted that the region typically loses jobs between the fourth and first quarters. This is largely due to seasonal losses in industries like Construction and Retail Trade. Over the past decade, Central Minnesota has shed an average of 8,200 jobs between quarter four and quarter one. This equates to an average employment loss of 3.1%. Between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, however, the region lost just over 6,900 jobs (-2.6%). So, while the region still experienced seasonal employment loss during this time, it was not as severe as the historical average. Typical seasonal losses in 2021 were offset by employment growth in Accommodation and Food Services; Finance and Insurance; and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;When analyzing industry trends between the first quarters of 2020 and 2021, it&apos;s clear which areas of Central Minnesota&apos;s labor market have been hit the hardest. During that period, Accommodation and Food Services lost nearly 4,000 jobs, declining by 17.0%. As such, this industry alone accounted for about 30% of the region&apos;s total employment losses over-the-year. Health Care and Social Assistance (-2,240 jobs; -4.4%); Manufacturing (-2,226 jobs; -5.4%); and Educational Services (-2,059 jobs; -8.0%) also lost a significant number of jobs between the first quarters of 2020 and 2021. Altogether, these four industries accounted for about three-quarters of the region&apos;s total employment losses over-the-year. Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (-25.7%); Information (-9.0%); and Other Services (-7.5%) also lost significant employment between the first quarters of 2020 and 2021. In contrast, five industries gained jobs during this period including Finance and Insurance; Administrative and Support Services; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting; Mining, and Management of Companies (Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/080621_cen_figure2_tcm1045-493334.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Industry Trends&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Industry Trends&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;080621_cen_figure2&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Zooming out, while Central Minnesota did lose jobs between the first quarters of 2020 and 2021, the region has improved upon previous annual trends. To summarize, the region experienced the following annual employment trends during the COVID-19 pandemic:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Quarter 2 2019 to Quarter 2 2020: -30,036 jobs (-10.7%)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Quarter 3 2019 to Quarter 3 2020: -16,755 jobs (-6.0%)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Quarter 4 2019 to Quarter 4 2020: -14,856 jobs (-5.3%)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Quarter 1 2020 to Quarter 1 2021: -13,284 jobs (-4.9%)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Continue to check back with DEED&apos;s QCEW data tool to see how Central Minnesota&apos;s industry employment continues to recover from COVID-19.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>493332</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:22Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Hang it Up or Hold On: What’s Next for Older Workers?</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Hang it Up or Hold On: What’s Next for Older Workers?</Title><title>2021-07-07 Older ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-488780&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2021-07-07T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Over 22% of Central Minnesota’s labor force is 55 years or older, representing a very important segment of highly skilled workers that employers rely on.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Over 22% of Central Minnesota&apos;s labor force is 55 years or older, representing a very important segment of highly skilled workers that employers rely on. Leveraging the experience of these workers is vital to employers in the region, but the recent economic shock could trigger a change in these workers&apos; behavior.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Following the dramatic upheaval of 2020, workforce development professionals are curious what older workers will do next. Does taking retirement now look more attractive to retirement eligible workers? Or have the work-from-home possibilities incentivized retirement age workers to hang on thanks to increased flexibility? The answers to those types of questions will be very important to employers in the coming years. While we are not yet able to fully understand how older workers have responded to the events from 2020 and 2021, we can begin peeling back the first layer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;According to the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/2020-economic-well-being-of-us-households-in-2019-financial-repercussions-from-covid-19.htm&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Federal Reserve&apos;s May 2020 Report on Economic Well Being&lt;/a&gt;, most people who retired in 2019said that they retired before the age at which they would normally be able to claim Social Security benefits, with 51% retiring at 61 years or earlier. Educational attainment varied the results just slightly, with workers who have a Bachelor&apos;s degree or higher more likely to retire at 61 or earlier (55% compared to 50% for high school degree or less and 50% for workers with some college, a technical degree, or an associate degree).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Nationwide, 53% of retirees surveyed in the fall of 2019, before the pandemic, indicated that they retired because they wanted to do other things, while 39% retired because they reached normal retirement age, underscoring how many workers anchor themselves to a specific age to execute retirement, regardless of if it is the best decision. Unfortunately, 30% of retirees noted that health problems played a role in their retirement decisions, likely cutting short their savings goals (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/070221_cen_figure1_tcm1045-488781.png&quot; title=&quot;Reasons for the Timing of Retirement, United States&quot; alt=&quot;Reasons for the Timing of Retirement, United States&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;070221_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Employment data show that older workers, particularly those ages 55-64, continued to hold fewer jobs in the third  quarter of 2020 than in the third quarter of 2019. Their share of job loss was the second highest from the third 3rd quarter of 2019 to the third quarter of 2020 (-9%). Only 19-21 year old workers suffered a larger decline in jobs held over the year (-9.5%), but considering that 27% of teenagers are employed in Accommodation &amp;amp;Food Services jobs compared to 4.3% of workers 55-64 years, the decline is more a reflection of a struggling industry, not necessarily struggling young workers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The rebounding employment that started in the third quarter of 2020 appears to have stopped the job losses for older workers, but the most recent data tells us that workers 55 years and older held 4,417 fewer jobs in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the year prior (see Figure 2). After losing a job will older workers be motivated to regain employment, or will this inflection point cause many to consider an early retirement?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/062421_cen_figure2_tcm1045-488782.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Employment by Age&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Employment by Age&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;062421_cen_figure2&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As more data become available, we will continue to learn what decisions our oldest workers are making about staying or leaving the labor force.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>488780</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:22Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>What Recession? Record Job Openings in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>What Recession? Record Job Openings in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2021-06-08 Recession ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-484433&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2021-06-08T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Central Minnesota employers reported over 14,100 job vacancies in the fourth quarter of 2020, roughly the same amount as the record highs posted in 2018 and 2019.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota employers reported over &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;14,100 job vacancies in the fourth quarter of 2020&lt;/a&gt;, roughly the same amount as the record highs posted in 2018 and 2019. This flies in the face of the fact that we&apos;re still technically in a recession, which officially started in February 2020 and according to the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.nber.org/research/business-cycle-dating&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;National Bureau of Economic Research&lt;/a&gt; has not ended yet. These historically high job vacancy counts are yet another bizarre outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Below are some other interesting findings from Central Minnesota in the fourth quarter 2020 Job Vacancy Survey.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Part-time openings make up a record low share of the total&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Part-time job openings, which typically soar during economic uncertainty as employers mitigate long-term labor commitments, have fallen to just 36% of all openings, the lowest share ever recorded. But for workers needing part-time flexibility, opportunities are still substantial, with nearly 5,100 part time openings compared to 9,051 full-time openings.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Median wage offers are stagnant&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Despite widespread hiring challenges, employers haven&apos;t substantially increased wages, at least yet. The median wage offer for all openings was $15.42, up about $0.60 compared to the 2nd quarter of 2020, but down $0.60 from the fourth quarter of 2019. For full-time openings it was $17.14 and $14.05 for part-time openings.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Of 20 occupational categories in Central Minnesota, only five had more than a nickel increase in the median wage offer for all job openings from the fourth quarter of 2019 to the fourth quarter of 2020. The same was true for full-time openings, however 9 out of 14 occupational categories with part time openings had higher median wage offers, suggesting this is the harder group to recruit for. The most notable increases were in the Personal Care and Service and Production occupations.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Low barriers to start working&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Just over three-quarters of job openings could be attained with nothing more than a high school diploma. In fact 45% made no mention of any educational requirement at all. For full-time jobs the percentage of jobs requiring solely a high school diploma was slightly lower at 72%; it was higher for part-time jobs at 78% of openings. People can get right to work regardless of educational attainment.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sales and Food Prep and Serving Occupations represent 30% of all openings&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Though demand is down in Sales and Food Prep and Serving due to the pandemic recession, these top two occupational categories continue to have a substantial share of openings in the region. The largest numbers of openings are in some of the lowest paying occupations, the result of many low skilled workers not returning to work and high turnover as workers gain skills and move into better paying occupations.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The share of openings offering health insurance benefits increased slightly&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Half of all openings offered health insurance benefits, up four points from 2019, but roughly consistent since 2012. 80% of full-time openings offer health insurance while just 22% of part-time openings offer the benefit. Steady gains in the share of part-time openings offering health insurance continued, steadily rising since 2017 when only 12% offered it.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To check out more details about the types of openings in your area use DEED&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Job Vacancy Survey tool&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/052621_cen_figure1_tcm1045-484436.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Job Vacancies&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Job Vacancies&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;052621_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>484433</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:22Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Now You See Me, Now You Don’t</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Now You See Me, Now You Don’t</Title><title>2021-04-29 Now You See ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-479711&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2021-04-29T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>The size of Central Minnesota’s labor force peaked with a little over 400,000 workers in October 2019, just months before the Covid-19 pandemic entered our vocabulary.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The size of Central Minnesota&apos;s labor force peaked with a little over 400,000 workers in October 2019, just months before the Covid-19 pandemic entered our vocabulary. Since then the labor force in the region and across the country has declined dramatically. By February of 2021, Central Minnesota had lost about 12,500 workers, to just over 388,000 workers, a 3.1% decline from the previous year (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/04621_cen_figure1_tcm1045-479730.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota&apos;s Labor Force, Unemployment, and Continued Unemployment Insurance Claims&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota&apos;s Labor Force, Unemployment, and Continued Unemployment Insurance Claims&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;04621_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This labor force decline has persisted despite new and continued efforts from employers to recruit and fill job openings, a significant difference from the Great Recession (2007-2009) when employers were shedding jobs and job openings dropped amidst the economic uncertainty. In the last year, workers have left the labor force at much higher rates than normal even though job vacancies remain at levels similar to recent levels seen during the longest economic expansion in history which ended in March 2020.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The reversal of labor force growth in the area is making a difficult situation worse for many employers who want to expand their payroll and it is unclear what changes, if any, will remedy hiring difficulties in the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Greg Windfeldt, President/CEO of Preferred Credit Inc. in St. Cloud, shared a story similar to what many employers in the region are experiencing, &quot;Today&apos;s recruiting environment is confusing for many employers seeking to hire people from unskilled entry level positions to skilled trades and manufacturing jobs. My company has several openings for unskilled entry level telephone customer service positions, and this is the most challenging recruiting environment we have seen. Yet in the media there continues to be reports of high unemployment and a struggling economy.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;These new labor market dynamics have many employers scratching their heads, wondering where the labor went and why it&apos;s harder to fill positions despite more workers collecting Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. In February of 2021, there were 19,087 continued UI claims paid out to workers in the region, a 70% (+7,856 more continued UI claims) increase from February 2020. It&apos;s important to note that because workers can receive UI benefits for a reduction in hours as well as a total job loss, the increase in continued claims is made up of a mix of both underemployed and unemployed workers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>479711</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:22Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Where IT&apos;s at in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Where IT&apos;s at in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2021-03-31 IT ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-474015&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2021-03-31T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>The Information Technology (IT) field includes a number of occupations, ranging from computer user support specialists to software developers to computer systems analysts.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Information Technology (IT) field includes a number of occupations, ranging from computer user support specialists to software developers to computer systems analysts. According to DEED&apos;s Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) data, the 13-county Central Minnesota region was home to around 5,000 workers in IT occupations, which are formally classified in Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes as &quot;Computer and Mathematical Occupations.&quot; At that level, these occupations accounted for about 1.8% of total employment in the region, compared to 3.8% of total employment statewide. This means that IT occupations are less concentrated in Central Minnesota than the state as a whole, but are still important contributors to the regional economy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Despite the low concentrations, wages for these IT occupations were relatively high. The median hourly wage for computer and mathematical occupations in the region was $32.34, which was over $13.00 per hour higher than the total of all occupations – the equivalent of more than $25,000 for a full-time, year-round worker! Median wages ranged from a low of $25 per hour for computer user support specialists, which was still nearly $6 above the median wage for all occupations; to a high of $56.64 per hour for computer and information systems managers, which was nearly triple.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;However, like the overall concentration of the jobs, wages were also lower in Central Minnesota than the rest of the state. The median hourly wage for computer and mathematical occupations was $42.71 statewide, with a range of $26.95 for computer user support specialists to $69.10 for computer and information systems managers (see Table 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Table 1. Central Minnesota Information Technology Occupational Statistics, 2020&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;table border=&quot;1&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th valign=&quot;top&quot;&gt;SOC Code&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th valign=&quot;top&quot;&gt;SOC Occupational Title&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th valign=&quot;top&quot;&gt;Estimated Regional Employment&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th valign=&quot;top&quot;&gt;Median Hourly Wage&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th valign=&quot;top&quot;&gt;Statewide Median Wage&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/projections/detail.asp?code=000000&amp;amp;geog=2709SW0000Southwest%20Minnesota&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;00-0000&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Total, All Occupations&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;278,730&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;$19.28&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;$21.49&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/projections/detail.asp?code=113021&amp;amp;geog=2709SW0000Southwest%20Minnesota&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;11-2031&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Computer &amp;amp; Information Systems Managers&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;450&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$56.64&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;$69.10&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/projections/detail.asp?code=150000&amp;amp;geog=2709SW0000Southwest%20Minnesota&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;15-0000&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Computer &amp;amp; Mathematical Occupations&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4,440&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;$32.34&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;$42.71&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;15-1211&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=151211&amp;amp;geog=SWMN,US,MN&quot; title=&quot;Computer Systems Analysts&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Computer Systems Analysts&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;810&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$38.08&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$45.03&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;15-1212&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=151212&amp;amp;geog=SWMN,US,MN&quot; title=&quot;Information Security Analysts&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Information Security Analysts&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;60&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$38.85&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$49.26&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;15-1231&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=151231&amp;amp;geog=SWMN,US,MN&quot; title=&quot;Computer Network Support Specialists&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Computer Network Support Specialists&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;330&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$26.10&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$30.65&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;15-1232&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=151232&amp;amp;geog=SWMN,US,MN&quot; title=&quot;Computer User Support Specialists&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Computer User Support Specialists&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;970&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$25.09&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$26.95&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;15-1241&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=151241&amp;amp;geog=SWMN,US,MN&quot; title=&quot;Computer Network Architects&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Computer Network Architects&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;140&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$51.61&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$55.43&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;15-1244&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=151244&amp;amp;geog=SWMN,US,MN&quot; title=&quot;Network and Computer Systems Administrators&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Network &amp;amp; Computer Systems Administrators&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;400&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$38.69&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$41.22&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;15-1245&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=151245&amp;amp;geog=SWMN,US,MN&quot; title=&quot;Database Administrators and Architects&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Database Administrators &amp;amp; Architects&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;90&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$38.93&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$47.97&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;15-1251&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=151251&amp;amp;geog=SWMN,US,MN&quot; title=&quot;Computer Programmers&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Computer Programmers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;290&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$37.34&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$41.04&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;15-1256&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=151256&amp;amp;geog=SWMN,US,MN&quot; title=&quot;Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Software Developers &amp;amp; Software Analysts&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;910&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$42.54&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$49.88&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;15-1257&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData.aspx?code=151257&amp;amp;geog=SWMN,US,MN&quot; title=&quot;Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;140&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$28.75&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$37.47&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;15-1299&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Computer Occupations, All Other&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;200&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$32.86&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;$39.95&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan=&quot;5&quot; align=&quot;right&quot; valign=&quot;top&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Source: DEED&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;Occupational Employment &amp;amp; Wage Statistics&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;program&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Occupational Demand&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;According to DEED&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt;, economic growth in the region has created a steady rise in the number of &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;openings&lt;/a&gt; for IT occupations across Central Minnesota. The 115 job vacancies reported by employers for computer occupations in the second quarter of 2020 was one of the highest on record, and trend lines for vacancies have been pointing upward over time (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/031921_cen_figure1_tcm1045-474016.png&quot; title=&quot;Number of Job Vacancies for Computer &amp;amp; Mathematical Occupations, Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Number of Job Vacancies for Computer &amp;amp; Mathematical Occupations, Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;031921_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The median wage offer for these vacancies climbed to $39.28 per hour in the fourth quarter of 2019, which was more than double the median wage offer for all occupations. However, it is important to note that about 90% of the IT job vacancies required postsecondary education and over 95% required at least a year of prior work experience – with wage offers closely tied to experience and training requirements. Only 2% of the posted IT openings in 2019 were part-time, as compared to 47% of vacancies across all occupations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Jobseekers who are interested in computers and information technology can look into training options described on the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/TechMonth&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForcemn.com webpage&lt;/a&gt;. Though almost all IT occupations require at least some college experience and many require a bachelor&apos;s degree, workers can also benefit from industry certifications and other training.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;April 2021 is Tech Month in Minnesota. Learn more at &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/TechMonth&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForceMN.com/TechMonth&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>474015</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:20Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>What’s Next After High School?</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>What’s Next After High School?</Title><title>2021-02-24 What&apos;s Next ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-469310&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2021-02-24T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>If you are a graduating senior, the task of picking a career or education pathway can be a daunting task, possibly the reason why so many students plan to “figure it out later”.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;If you are a graduating senior, the task of picking a career or education pathway can be a daunting task, possibly the reason why so many students plan to &quot;&lt;em&gt;figure it out later&lt;/em&gt;&quot;. Committing time to research occupations and educational options is competing against a plethora of more exciting activities, but the value of gaining some baseline knowledge and direction can empower you to achieve your dream job.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;If you are thinking, &quot;yes, but where do I begin?&quot; I&apos;ve got some good news for you!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.lyftpathways.org/domain/1046&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Lyft Initiative&lt;/a&gt; in cooperation with the Labor Market Information Office at DEED has created a terrific roadmap to help along the way so no matter where you are in the process there are things you can do to leave high school on the right foot. You can watch this short &lt;a href=&quot;https://youtu.be/FOWqQ30LBYQ&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;video&lt;/a&gt; to get started!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;You&apos;ll also find other resources there, including a link to an interactive &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.lyftpathways.org/domain/1046&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Road Map&lt;/a&gt; and DEED&apos;s new &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/career-pathways-tool/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Career Pathways tool&lt;/a&gt;, which can help you explore pathways and learn about the most demanded jobs in your region. The Career Pathways tool sorts the information by region, so you can find data on the careers in demand in Central Minnesota!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;On top are the filters for area and required education level as well as a search bar for occupations. You can use the Where Do You Live Filter to choose the Minnesota region you are interested in. The Search for Occupation bar allows you to find individual occupations and the Required Education filter allows you to filter occupations based on the typical level of education that they require.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Each icon in this section represents a Career Cluster or broad grouping of occupations based on common knowledge and skills. Hover over each icon to see the name of the Career Cluster. By clicking on an icon you will limit the occupations shown in section 3 the table to that Cluster. The color of each icon corresponds to the broader Career Field it belongs to.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;This section contains all of the occupation information, including level of demand, occupation title, typical educational requirements, number of jobs currently filled (length of bar), career field (color of bar), and median wage (dot). If you hover over an occupation you will get a pop-up with even more information including projected employment growth and a typical wage range. Clicking on an occupation in the table will take you to a detailed career page on the CareerForceMN website that includes licensing, training, and certification info, videos, some typical work activities, and more!&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;You can reset any of the filters by clicking again on that filter or by clicking the Reset All Filters button.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/021021-cen-figure1_tcm1045-469317.png&quot; title=&quot;Career Pathways Tool Screen Shots &quot; alt=&quot;Career Pathways Tool Screen Shots &quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;021021-cen-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>469310</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:20Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>New Year, New Economy?</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>New Year, New Economy?</Title><title>2021-01-28 New Year ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-464070&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2021-01-28T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>With 2020 now in the past, a precarious New Year’s optimism has been the talk of many regarding the year ahead.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With 2020 now in the past, a precarious New Year’s optimism has been the talk of many regarding the year ahead. This is understandable since 2020 proved incredibly difficult professionally and personally. In addition to struggling to remember to sign the correct year for the next few weeks, 2021 will certainly carry forward a number of challenges that 2020 dumped on us. It will take some time for the businesses and workers of Central Minnesota to rebuild and return to the pre-COVID economy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A component of free market economies is natural churn that occurs as businesses start, shift or close to meet the changing demands of consumers. This constant change can be used as a benchmark for what we would expect to see in a normal year and compare 2020 against it. You might not remember the brief period known as 2019, but it occurred just prior to 2020 and was filled with what now seems like a monotonous amount of normalcy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;From March to April of 2019 Central Minnesota gained 950 new establishments while 586 existing establishments closed, for a net gain of 364 new establishments in the region. This was in line with other regions of Minnesota, which all had more new business establishments than establishments that closed during the second quarter in 2019. Without the pandemic, it would have been reasonable to assume a similar trend would have continued in 2020.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Instead, Central Minnesota employers struggled through rapidly changing consumer preferences, government regulations, supply chain issues and the health of employees. During the same period in 2020, Central Minnesota gained 929 new establishments (21 fewer than 2019), but lost 1,726 establishments (three times more than 2019) for a net loss of 797 business establishments. If we account for the new establishments gains that should have happened based on what we saw in 2019, the losses amount to 1,161 fewer business establishments in the region in the second quarter of 2020. (See Figure 1.)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/011421_cen_figure1_tcm1045-464034.png&quot; title=&quot;Change in Business Establishments in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Change in Business Establishments in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;011421_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The data show we experienced a slightly reduced amount of new business growth from March to April 2020, but a huge increase in business closings during the second quarter. While not a doomsday scenario, the numerous impacted entrepreneurs and workers may need to rely on the optimism that a new year typically heralds for many months to come.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;So as not to leave you with the wrinkled brow of despair, many establishments that closed in the second quarter of 2020 have since reopened. In fact, 62% of establishments that closed between March and April 2020 across the state were back in business by June and it’s likely a similar story in Central Minnesota. The new year will bring a new economy in a sense as establishments reopen, open under new owners, and continue trying to find success amidst a pandemic.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>464070</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:20Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Support for Health Care</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Support for Health Care</Title><title>2021-01-07 Support ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-462008&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2021-01-07T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Health Care and Social Assistance is the largest industry in Central Minnesota, accounting for 49,131 jobs in the region in 2019.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Health Care and Social Assistance is the largest industry in Central Minnesota, accounting for 49,131 jobs in the region in 2019 (&lt;a href=&quot;/deed/assets/central-health-care-2020_tcm1045-462204.jpg&quot; title=&quot;central-health-care-2020&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;central-health-care-2020&quot;&gt;see infographic&lt;/a&gt; below) – that’s more than one in every five jobs in the region. The vital health care industry has a higher concentration of employment in the region than the state, so it was cause for concern when the rapidly changing economic conditions in the first half of 2020 pushed health care employers to shed over 2,100 jobs in the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Fortunately for health care workers in Central Minnesota, employment losses (-4.3%) were almost half the rate we saw statewide (-7.3%) in the second quarter of 2020. However, not only was employment down in the second quarter of 2020, so were openings in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry. Long championed as “recession proof” from the necessity of caring for a slow-growing but fast-aging population, early 2020 put a temporary kink in an otherwise consistent segment of the economy. The number of job openings for Health Care Support and Health Care Practitioners fell to levels in the second quarter of 2020 that had not been seen in three years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This disruption impacted many workers who are not accustomed to volatility in the labor market, but luckily much of the decline in health care employment has since been clawed back. Statewide, health care jobs are down roughly 5% from a year ago, rebounding about 5 percentage points from their low point in 2020 and it’s likely that Central Minnesota has regained a similar share of jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Health care job losses in the second quarter were concentrated in two subsectors, Ambulatory Health Care Services and Social assistance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/122420_cen_figure1_tcm1045-462004.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Over the Year Employment Change for Most Recent Quarter&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Over the Year Employment Change for Most Recent Quarter&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;122420_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Ambulatory Health Care Services, which primarily includes outpatient care establishments, including Offices of Physicians, Dentists, and Home Health Care Services, shed 976 jobs, or 7.7% of jobs from the second quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2020. Employment at Dentist Offices fell by 26.4% (-449 jobs) and employment at Offices of Other Health Care Practitioners which includes Chiropractic Offices, Optometrists, Mental Health Practitioners, and Occupational, Speech and Audiologists fell by 15.5% (-274 jobs).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The other Social Services subsector that experienced turmoil was Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Child Day Care Services. With less demand for their services, layoffs ensued. Of course, many of these changes were temporary, but the extent is not yet known.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Hospital employment remained nearly level in the second quarter, escaping losses experienced in the other areas. Nursing and Residential Care Facilities also largely avoided the mass layoffs with just a -2.1% decline.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.centracare.com/about-us/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CentraCare&lt;/a&gt; is one of the largest health systems in Minnesota, with more than 12,700 employees and eight hospitals, more than 30 clinics, 11 senior housing facilities, and eight long-term care facilities across the region. Tim Johnson, a recruitment marketing specialist from CentraCare, provided helpful insight, saying “CentraCare didn’t have pandemic-related layoffs but hiring and number of hours slowed considerably as we redeployed and furloughed people who were affected by the pause in elective surgeries and other changes in the spring. We’re currently handling an unprecedented surge in hiring. Many of those positions are temporary, pandemic-related positions like door screeners and curbside collection assistants, but we also continue to hire other jobs at rates consistent with but slightly higher than past years.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The optimistic news from CentraCare echoes the recovery seen in statewide data and is likely prevalent throughout health care organizations in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Health care workers deserve our gratitude. Many experienced incredible stress and disruption at work, in many cases treating patients suffering from COVID-19.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/central-health-care-2020_tcm1045-462204.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Minnesota Health Care Highlights&quot; alt=&quot;Minnesota Health Care Highlights&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;central-health-care-2020&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To find out more about the health care industry, including current employment opportunities and Health Care Month activities, visit &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/industry/health-care&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForce&apos;s Health Care page&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>462008</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:20Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Vacancies in a Vacuum</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Vacancies in a Vacuum</Title><title>2020-12-04 Vacuum ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-457362&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2020-12-04T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Despite the pandemic taking the wind out of our economic sails, Central Minnesota had nearly 11,000 job vacancies in the second quarter of 2020, almost the same number of vacancies that employers reported in 2017.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Despite the pandemic taking the wind out of our economic sails, Central Minnesota had nearly 11,000 job vacancies in the second quarter of 2020, almost the same number of vacancies that employers reported in 2017. The data shows that at the same time many employers were reducing hours and laying off workers, others were still trying to hire. Ironically, many of the occupations that were shedding jobs are largely the same occupations that other employers were looking to fill. However, much of the overlap is due to the high turnover nature of the most impacted occupations rather than differences between employers within the same sector.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/profile/magda.olson#!/vizhome/DecemberLLGreinerFig1/Fig1&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/113020_cen_jvs_tcm1045-457376.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota 2nd Quarter Job Vacancies&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota 2nd Quarter Job Vacancies&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;113020_cen_jvs&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While 10,727 job vacancies is a large number, it&apos;s still about 2,700 fewer than the region had last year, or a 20% decline. This is a substantial decline, and one that is concentrated among entry-level occupations. The top ten most numerous openings are typically considered entry-level occupations and comprise 28% of all openings in the second quarter of 2020 but 35.5% of all openings in the second quarter of 2019.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The largest numbers of openings in the second quarter of 2020 were for occupations closely associated with Retail Trade and Accommodation and Food Services, such as Cashiers and Retail Salespersons and Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations, again common occupations for young workers. For the most part, median wage offers have increased from a year ago, but openings in the Food Prep and Serving Related field showed lower wages for openings in Central Minnesota, possibly the result of fewer openings at full service restaurants or from a surplus of workers who were out of work.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Entry-level occupations are incredibly important for new labor force entrants to gain a foundation of skills. The skills that are created and honed early-on allow workers to move up the career ladder and into positions that can better utilize their potential, so this current disruption is cause for concern among our newest workers. The job market turmoil has impacted younger workers disproportionately, with 40% more workers 20-24 years filing for Unemployment Insurance than last year. Time will tell how the experience of working, being laid off, having hours reduced, or changing responsibilities due to the pandemic shapes the perceptions and preferences of our youngest workers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As the economy changes, openings and layoffs will likely be a good indicator of how Central Minnesotans&apos; daily lives are being impacted as we continue to move through the pandemic into economic recovery.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/profile/magda.olson#!/vizhome/DecemberLLGreinerFig2/EdDash&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/113020_cen_jvs2_tcm1045-457375.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Job Vacancies, 2nd Quarter 2020&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Job Vacancies, 2nd Quarter 2020&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;113020_cen_jvs2&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>457362</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:17Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Veterans Are Highly Trained; Have In-Demand Skills</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Veterans Are Highly Trained; Have In-Demand Skills</Title><title>2020-11-05 Veterans ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-452575&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2020-11-05T15:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>The U.S. military provides training in-house and with contractors to upskill enlisted and officer ranks into the most advanced fighting force in the world, and those skills are effective at more than defending our country.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The U.S. military provides training in-house and with contractors to upskill enlisted and officer ranks into the most advanced fighting force in the world, and those skills are effective at more than defending our country. Skills at adapting and overcoming are a hallmark of American military personnel and these skills can hardly be overrated, especially during the current pandemic.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Despite the lack of active duty installations in the state, 6.4% of Minnesotan residents are military veterans, similar to Texas and Louisiana which both have large active duty installations. Central Minnesota has roughly 20,000 military veterans, representing just 3.7% of the overall population. This small but distinguished group of residents have been equipped with a wide variety of skills and they are willing to put them to work. Veterans in the region have a 79.8% participation rate in the labor force, providing a willing and able workforce.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota&apos;s labor force benefits from military veterans as they transition their skills and experiences into the civilian labor market. Ranging from administrative occupations in supply, legal affairs and finance to combat specialties and healthcare, veterans have a wide range of abilities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;According to recent data, 82% of military personnel are enlisted with the remaining 18% working as officers. Typically officers provide strategic leadership to enlisted ranks.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Enlisted personnel&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; typically do the following:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Participate in, or support, military operations, such as combat or training operations, or humanitarian or disaster relief&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Operate, maintain, and repair equipment&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Perform technical and support activities&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Supervise junior enlisted personnel&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Officers&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; typically do the following:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Plan, organize, and lead troops and activities in military operations&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Manage enlisted personnel&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Operate and command aircraft, ships, or armored vehicles&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Provide medical, legal, engineering, and other services to military personnel&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The experiences and skills military veterans have can provide an excellent value to organizations in Central Minnesota. Our veterans might have a broader variety of expertise than people think (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/101520_cen_figure1_tcm1045-452581.png&quot; title=&quot;U.S. Active Duty Personnel by Broad Occupational Category 2020&quot; alt=&quot;U.S. Active Duty Personnel by Broad Occupational Category 2020&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;101520_cen_figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;Employers that are looking for skilled workers would do well to tap into the region&apos;s veteran population. Likewise, if you are a veteran and seeking employment, the following steps can help:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Contact a &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/dedicated-veterans-employment-team&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForce Veterans Employment Representative&lt;/a&gt;. They work with employers as well as one-on-one with veterans to provide custom-tailored services.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Post your resume on &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.minnesotaworks.net/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;MinnesotaWorks.net&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Visit &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/veterans-resources&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForce Veterans Resources&lt;/a&gt; for information on upcoming career fairs, employer hiring events, job club networking, job transition meetings and more.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Explore career options with &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/veterans-resources&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForceMN&lt;/a&gt;.com or &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careeronestop.org/ResourcesFor/Veteran/veteran.aspx&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerOneStop&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Veterans, active duty military service members and their spouses are also invited to participate in this year&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/minnesota-veterans-virtual-career-fair&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Virtual Veterans Career Fair taking place on November 19&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>452575</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:16Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Connecting Career Paths to Manufacturers in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Connecting Career Paths to Manufacturers in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2020-10-07 Manufacturing ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-449378&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2020-10-07T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Raising public awareness about the importance of Manufacturing in our communities and regions is essential, as this industry plays a large part of our state’s success.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Raising public awareness about the importance of Manufacturing in our communities and regions is essential, as this industry plays a large part of our state&apos;s success. Manufacturing added $52.7 billion to Minnesota&apos;s economy in 2019, representing the second-largest contribution (14%) to the state&apos;s gross domestic product (GDP) of any industry.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/assets/2019_Central_MFG_Profile_tcm1045-429971.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota manufacturers&lt;/a&gt; provided 41,961 jobs in 2019 – 15% of total employment in the region, a significantly higher concentration than the state (11%). It is the second-largest employing industry, behind only Health Care and Social Assistance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Manufacturing jobs pay an average annual wage of $54,912 in the region, which is almost $8,500 (+22.6%) more than the total of all industries. Family-sustaining wages are plentiful in Manufacturing, providing successful career paths for highly demanded occupations for workers of all education levels.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Many production jobs don&apos;t require any education beyond high school and rely on skills gained in high school or on-the-job. Some examples include welding, with a median annual wage of $47,427; maintenance and repair workers ($44,641), and wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives ($63,304).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Many Manufacturing occupations are held by workers with postsecondary education from a technical or community college, including tool and die makers ($58,230), electrical and electronics engineering technicians ($56,255), and machinists ($50,263).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Individuals who get their bachelor&apos;s degree (or higher) and pursue a career as an industrial engineer have a median wage of $85,735. Other in-demand jobs found at manufacturing firms that require at least a bachelor&apos;s degree include mechanical engineers ($76,343) and human resource managers ($99,906), among others (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/092120-cen-figure1_tcm1045-449377.png&quot; title=&quot;Manufacturing Occupations in Demand&quot; alt=&quot;Manufacturing Occupations in Demand&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;092120-cen-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Changing perceptions&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While the industry provides numerous well compensated occupations, manufacturers can still struggle to find people to fill openings. The industry – once perceived as &quot;dark, dirty and dangerous&quot; – has been working hard to prove to students, potential hires, and their communities that those perceptions are outdated and far from accurate today. Many manufacturers, especially those in the medical and food industries, are bright and clean, with state-of-the-art safety measures on their machines.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;One organization working to change perceptions is the &lt;a href=&quot;https://cmmaworks.org/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota Manufacturing Association (CMMA)&lt;/a&gt;, which serves over 190 manufacturers in the Greater St. Cloud region. This nonprofit association is led by a group of volunteers whose primary purpose is to contribute to the growth and success of manufacturers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To build more interest in manufacturing among students in local school districts, CMMA waives membership dues for Central Minnesota schools. They also offer up to $10,000 annually in grants to support area schools with limited resources, assist with annual VEX Robotics competitions, and contribute to the Exploring Potential Interests and Careers (EPIC) event for high school students in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;They&apos;ve also developed a toolkit for the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.dli.mn.gov/yst&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Youth Skills Training (YST)&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/workforce/apprenticeship&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Youth Apprenticeship (YA)&lt;/a&gt; programs that assists employers and schools in navigating the work-based learning opportunities offered through the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), and the Department of Education for students ages 16 to 18 years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&quot;The development of skilled young students for manufacturing careers is critical for the growth and survival of manufacturers,&quot; said Les Engel, of Engel Metallurgical Ltd., who is president of CMMA.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;CMMA is developing a list of manufacturing companies willing to work with schools, which they will post on their website. It plans to launch the K12 Navigator which will operate as a connector for students, teachers, and parents with information on manufacturing businesses for training, tours, apprenticeships, and other support areas.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A member of the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.midwestmfg.org/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Midwest Manufacturers&apos; Association (MMA)&lt;/a&gt;, CMMA has two regional sister organizations within Minnesota: &lt;a href=&quot;https://amfa-mn-wi.org/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Arrowhead Manufacturers &amp;amp; Fabricators Association (AMFA)&lt;/a&gt;, located in Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.tsma.org/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Tri-State Manufacturers&apos; Association (TSMA)&lt;/a&gt;, serving manufacturers in west central Minnesota and eastern North and South Dakota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/2020-central_tcm1045-449269.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Manufacturing Highlights&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Manufacturing Highlights&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;2020-central&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>449378</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:16Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Where Central Minnesota Workers are Employed by Race and Ethnicity</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Where Central Minnesota Workers are Employed by Race and Ethnicity</Title><title>2020-09-09 Workers Employed ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-445905&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2020-09-09T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Workers of different races work in very different industries, leading to different employment outcomes.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Workers of different races work in very different industries, leading to different employment outcomes. Using the &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/qwi/index.jsp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) Quarterly Workforce Indicators&lt;/a&gt; dataset, the types of industries workers are employed in can be disaggregated by race and ethnicity. Where workers are employed – and even more so the jobs they do in those industries – helps explain wage differences among workers of different races. Each color in the interactive chart below represents a different industry, and the size represents the share of employment of that race who work in the industry.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The first light blue section of the top bar for &quot;White Alone&quot; represents that 17.2% of white workers in Central Minnesota are employed in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, where the average wage for all workers is $46,524. Another example: the dark gray section of the bar for &quot;Hispanic or Latino&quot; represents 27.8% of Hispanic or Latino workers who are employed in Manufacturing, which has an annual average wage of $57,528.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The chart also shows that about 50% of Black or African American workers and 40% of Asian workers in Central Minnesota are employed in either Health Care and Social Assistance or Manufacturing; while over one-quarter of American Indian workers are employed in Public Administration, and another 19% work in Accommodation &amp;amp; Food Services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/profile/magda.olson#!/vizhome/GreinerDisparityBlog/Sheet1&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/082620-cen-figure1_tcm1045-445904.png&quot; title=&quot;082620-cen-figure1&quot; alt=&quot;082620-cen-figure1&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;082620-cen-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;These differences have serious wage implications because the types of occupations that people hold vary greatly by industry. If you bear with me for an even deeper dive, the occupations workers hold within the same industry can be dramatically different. For instance, Asians who are employed in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry earned an average wage of $70,236 compared to White workers who earned an average annual wage of $46,788. The reason for the wage difference is likely from a significant share of Asians working in higher paying occupations – such as Doctors or Surgeons – within that industry, or a smaller share working in lower paying entry-level or lower skilled occupations – such as Home Health Aides or Housekeeping Cleaners. Understanding the difference in both industries and occupations is key to understanding why wages vary by race and ethnicity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>445905</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:15Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Central Minnesota Economic Update</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota Economic Update</Title><title>2020-08-03 UI ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-442564&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2020-08-03T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Now more than four months into the COVD-19 pandemic, businesses and organizations in Central Minnesota – and across the United States – have attempted to mitigate risk in many different ways.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Now more than four months into the COVD-19 pandemic, businesses and organizations in Central Minnesota – and across the United States – have attempted to mitigate risk in many different ways. Unfortunately, cases of COVID-19 continue to happen, and have been rising in recent weeks. The good news is that weekly &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/unemployment-insurance-statistics/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Unemployment Insurance (UI) applications&lt;/a&gt; for nearly all industries are a fraction of what they were in mid- to- late March, but the cumulative scale of the layoffs is unprecedented. A few industries of concern in Central Minnesota are health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services, manufacturing, and administrative support and waste management services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The largest industry in terms of employment is &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/assets/2017_Central_HC_Profile_tcm1045-332425.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;health care and social assistance&lt;/a&gt;, accounting for 18% of all jobs in Central Minnesota. The region&apos;s health care systems have not been spared from economic hardship in the current crisis, but they do appear to be doing better than expected, at least when looking at a comparison of the share of continuing UI claims (14.9%) to share of employment (18%). However, the share of initial UI claims (17.6%) for May in the healthcare and social assistance industry closely matches the share of employment, and more claims were filed from health care and social assistance workers than from any other industry that month (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/072020-central-figure1_tcm1045-442574.png&quot; title=&quot;Employment and UI Claims in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Employment and UI Claims in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;072020-central-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/assets/WDB5_leisure_tcm1045-429963.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Accommodation and food service businesses&lt;/a&gt; continue to struggle, both due to policies limiting their capacity to slow the spread of the virus and the decreased demand for their services as fewer people feel comfortable with activities that allow people to congregate. Roughly 8.5% of employment in the region is at accommodation and food service establishments, but the industry accounts for double that share (16.9%) of the ongoing UI claims. Just as troubling is the high percentage of claims still being filed from workers in the industry, amounting to over 7% of all initial claims filed in May.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/assets/2019_Central_MFG_Profile_tcm1045-429971.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Manufacturing companies&lt;/a&gt; don&apos;t have the same operating restrictions as personal care services or food and drinking places, yet they accounted for 16.3% of all initial UI claims in May, second only to health care and social assistance. With a higher share of initial claims in May than continuing claims, manufacturers are laying off workers at higher rates than other industries have been in more recent weeks, posing a new challenge for the region&apos;s second largest employing industry.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Finally, the administrative support and waste management services industry has seen a disproportionate share of UI claims being filed by workers, similar to the accommodation and food service industry. This includes employment at personnel and staffing agencies. The large share of UI claims is likely the result of decreases in demand for labor as temporary help can be laid off easier than permanent employees. The good news is that it appears that demand for temp workers isn&apos;t gone, but has instead shifted to occupations such as cleaning rather than production. In fact, despite having roughly half the amount of job openings on &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.minnesotaworks.net&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;MinnesotaWorks.net&lt;/a&gt; in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the previous year, the industry has a higher share of overall job openings in Central Minnesota. Staffing agencies are staying busy and remain on the front lines of hiring activity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>442564</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:14Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Unemployment Insurance Claims in Central Minnesota through May</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Unemployment Insurance Claims in Central Minnesota through May</Title><title>2020-07-07 UI ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-439319&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2020-07-07T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>The number of new Unemployment Insurance (UI) applications have rapidly declined over the past few months following the unprecedented surge in the weeks following the issuance of executive orders to slow the spread of COVID-19 during the second half of March.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The number of new Unemployment Insurance (UI) applications have rapidly declined over the past few months following the unprecedented surge in the weeks following the issuance of executive orders to slow the spread of COVID-19 during the second half of March. Though down from April, in May, Central Minnesota&apos;s initial UI applications were still about 800% higher than May 2019, amounting to more than 14,700 applications.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The claims have been spread throughout a wide range of occupations, with construction trades workers filing the largest number of claims (7,067 since March 16th). Construction workers have filed more claims this May than any other on record dating back to 1999. Oftentimes construction employment is a leading indicator of economic vitality, however with the current volatility it&apos;s difficult to compare current trends to previous ones.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Other occupations where a large number of workers are filing UI claims include: food and beverage workers, retail sales workers, and production occupations. Notably, during this public health crisis, many workers who are filing for unemployment insurance benefits work in health care, a sector that is being stressed by increased demand for certain services; while seeing lower demand for non-critical services, such as elective surgery.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/062620-cen-figure1_tcm1045-439320.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1: UI Applications since March 16 in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1: UI Applications since March 16 in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;062620-cen-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Source: DEED, UI Statistics&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The common perception is that the health care industry is immune to recessions, but that is not always the case. Although health care employment in Central Minnesota stayed fairly steady and even grew slightly through the last recession, many health care workers were still laid off. In both 2009 and 2010, more than 3,400 workers in the health care and social assistance industry filed for unemployment insurance benefits over the course of each year (see figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/062620-cen-figure2_tcm1045-439321.png&quot; title=&quot;Figure 2 - UI Claims Filed in Central Minnesota from the Health Care and Social Assistance Industry&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 2 - UI Claims Filed in Central Minnesota from the Health Care and Social Assistance Industry&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;062620-cen-figure2&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Source: DEED, UI Statistics&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In March, April and May of 2020, there were 14,387 initial claims filed in the health care and social assistance industry – already four times higher than for the entire year in 2009 or 2010.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;It&apos;s helpful for context to look back and compare the Great Recession to the current economic crisis, but the similarities beyond being an economic downturn are limited at this point. The current employment situation is the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting policies to attempt to slow the spread of the virus which are vastly different factors than those that lead up to the subprime mortgage financial crisis of previous decade.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>439319</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:14Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description>Certain industries have been forced to cease or limit operations by Executive Orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including food and drinking places and personal care services.</Description><Audience/><Title>Bearing the Burden</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Bearing the Burden</Title><title>2020-06-22 Bearing the Burden ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-437313&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2020-06-22T14:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Certain industries have been forced to cease or limit operations by Executive Orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including food and drinking places and personal care services.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Certain industries have been forced to cease or limit operations by Executive Orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/regional-lmi/industry-profiles.jsp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;food and drinking places and personal care services&lt;/a&gt;. Those two sectors provided 20,529 jobs in Central Minnesota in 2019, accounting for 7.4% of total jobs in the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The vast majority (94%) of those jobs are found at &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/assets/WDB5_leisure_tcm1045-429963.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;food and drinking places&lt;/a&gt;, whereas &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/assets/031920_WDB17_personalsvcs_tcm1045-429968.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;personal care services&lt;/a&gt; has a smaller amount of covered employment and much more self-employment. Despite accounting for 7.4% of total jobs, payroll for those two industries added up to just 3% of total payroll in the region, at $332.5 million, indicating most of these are low-paying jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/052820-cen-figure1_tcm1045-437454.png&quot; title=&quot;Total Payroll in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Total Payroll in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 50%;&quot; class=&quot;photoRightNoBorder&quot; xlink:title=&quot;052820-cen-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The decade-long economic expansion had driven employment at food and drinking establishments above pre-recession levels, but 2018 and 2019 had shown slight declines in employment. Personal care services, on the other hand, had been slowly declining since 2008.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With the COVID-19 situation still playing out, it&apos;s difficult to know what employment will look like in the next weeks, months, and years for these two industries. Central Minnesota bars and drinking places provide about 1,300 jobs, while restaurants and special food service establishments maintained over 18,000 jobs in 2019. Personal care services had 1,235 jobs in 2019. At the time of writing, food places are only available to deliver and provide take-out, while personal care services are not able to operate at all. Job losses have been high in these industries, as evidenced by record numbers of &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/unemployment-insurance-statistics/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Unemployment Insurance applications&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>437313</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:13Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Young Employees in Central Minnesota Experiencing Mass Job Losses for the First Time</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Young Employees in Central Minnesota Experiencing Mass Job Losses for the First Time</Title><title>2020-05-04 Young ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-430828&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2020-05-05T20:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>In the second half of March through the first week in April, more than 40,000 workers in Central Minnesota filed UI claims, a nearly 2000% increase compared to the number of claims filed in March of 2019.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In the second half of March through the first week in April, more than 40,000 workers in Central Minnesota filed UI claims, a nearly 2000% increase compared to the number of claims filed in March of 2019. In the next three weeks in April, another 26,165 workers applied for UI benefits, which would be a 1300% jump compared to April 2019.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/careerforce-blog/young-employees-central-minnesota-experiencing-mass-job-losses-first-time&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Continue reading Young Employees in Central Minnesota Experiencing Mass Job Losses for the First Time&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>430828</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:12Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Thank a Veteran</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Marriage, Children and Money in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2020-02-28 Marriage ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-421684&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2020-02-28T21:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>If you have ever thought about having children, you might have asked yourself: can I/we afford children?</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;If you have ever thought about having children, you might have asked yourself: can I/we afford children? This common but difficult to answer question unfolds over two decades for many families as they raise their children from birth to adulthood. DEED’s Cost Of Living tool can provide a little insight into the typical costs for increasing the size of your family.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/careerforce-blog/marriage-children-and-money-central-minnesota&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Continue reading Marriage, Children and Money in Central Minnesota&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>421684</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:12Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Thank a Veteran</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota’s Job Growth is Strongest in the State</Title><title>2020-01-30 Job Growth ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-418159&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2020-01-30T21:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>With nearly 190,000 residents, the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)is the third largest MSA by population that is primarily located in Minnesota.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With nearly 190,000 residents, the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)is the third largest MSA by population that is primarily located in Minnesota. Though the city itself also stretches into Sherburne County, the St. Cloud MSA includes just Stearns and Benton counties. Combined, these two counties account for nearly 38 percent of all jobs in the 13-county Central Minnesota region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/careerforce-blog/central-minnesotas-job-growth-strongest-state&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Continue reading Central Minnesota&apos;s Job Growth is Strongest in the State&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>418159</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:12Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Thank a Veteran</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>A Career and Technical Education Jamboree</Title><title>2019-12-16 Career ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-415318&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2019-12-16T21:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>More than 100 attendees participated in the Central Minnesota Manufacturing Association (CMMA) Career and Technical Education (CTE) Jamboree on November 21 at Albany High School.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;More than 100 attendees participated in the Central Minnesota Manufacturing Association (CMMA) Career and Technical Education (CTE) Jamboree on November 21 at Albany High School.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/careerforce-blog/career-and-technical-education-jamboree&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Continue reading A Career and Technical Education Jamboree&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>415318</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:11Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Thank a Veteran</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Thank a Veteran </Title><title>2019-11-07 Thank a Veteran ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-409751&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2019-11-07T21:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Lower levels of higher education could indicate that Central Minnesota veterans have leveraged their experience to find employment without needing college. </ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;That simple gesture offered to the bravest men and women in our country is the least we can do to show appreciation for their sacrifices. Joining the United States Armed Forces is no small feat, and personal and professional pursuits are often sidelined. While active duty servicemembers who meet time-in-service criteria qualify for numerous education benefits like tuition assistance and the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/montgomery_bill.asp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Montgomery G.I. Bill&lt;/a&gt;, completing higher education is challenging. Training and deployments can derail pursuits for higher education, and a relocation can result in little continuity left for education.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Veterans across the country, including Central Minnesota, are less likely to attain higher education of any type. In Central Minnesota just 18.6 percent of veterans have a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 23.7 percent for non-veterans. The gap persists, albeit at a smaller level, at the college or associate degree level, where 36 percent of veterans and 37.8 percent of non-veterans have at least some post-secondary education (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/110619-cen-figure1_tcm1045-409753.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Educational Attainment of Veterans in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Educational Attainment of Veterans in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;110619-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;br xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot; /&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;However, the data tell an incomplete story of the education levels of our veterans. On one hand it could appear that the challenges of completing education beyond high school has prevented veterans from attaining typical levels of higher education. On the other hand, the lower levels of higher education could indicate that veterans have leveraged their experience to &lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/profile/magda.olson#!/vizhome/VeteransUnempRate2017/VeteransUnempRate2017&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;find employment without needing college&lt;/a&gt;. Income statistics support the latter possibility, since veterans typically earn almost 20 percent more than non-veterans in Minnesota at the median.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Education benefits from the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/montgomery_bill.asp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Montgomery G.I. Bill&lt;/a&gt; make the cost of college a non-issue for many veterans, however the time to complete and the benefit of the education might be more important considerations. While reasons for the differences in educational attainment likely vary from veteran to veteran, their dedication and service does not.  &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;If you are a veteran and seeking employment, the following steps can help:
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Contact a &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/veteran-services/employment-services/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Veterans Employment Representative&lt;/a&gt;.  They work with employers as well as one-on-one with veterans to provide custom-tailored services.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Post your resume on &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.minnesotaworks.net/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;MinnesotaWorks.net&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Visit DEED’s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/veteran-services/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Veterans Employment Programs&lt;/a&gt; for information on upcoming career fairs, employer hiring events, job club networking, job transition meetings, and more.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Explore career options with &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.mynextmove.org/vets/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;My Next Move for Veterans&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careerforcemn.com/veterans-resources&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerForceMN&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.careeronestop.org/ResourcesFor/Veteran/veteran.aspx&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;CareerOneStop&lt;/a&gt;.
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>409751</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:10Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Life in Central Minnesota</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Life in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2019-10-18 Life in Central Minnesota ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-407376&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2019-10-18T22:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Higher incomes and lower expenses characterize life in Central Minnesota, yet there are income disparities by race and origin.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more than 715,000 people, the 13 counties of Central Minnesota are a great place to call home. The recipe for success for many families and households is good paying jobs and reasonable living expenses. After all, expenses are just as important as income, right?  As shown on page 8 of the newly published Regional Profile, the median household income in Central Minnesota was $65,949 in 2017, just above the statewide median ($65,699). At the same time, basic living expenses for a typical family were cheaper in Central Minnesota than the rest of the state by roughly $2,500 (page 9).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Higher incomes and lower expenses suggest excellent living opportunities in Central Minnesota for most households. In fact, more than one in 11 households had incomes at or above $150,000 per year. While this is lower than the state, it’s still a significant number, and the region also has a smaller share of households in the lowest income category, below $25,000. The region has a larger share of households in the middle income ranges, leading to a comfortable standard of living (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/101819-cen-figure1_tcm1045-407378.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Household Incomes by race, 2017&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Household Incomes by race, 2017&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;101819-cen-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;br xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot; /&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Most households have benefited from rising wages, but there are disparities in incomes by race and origin. According to estimates from the Census Bureau, white households had the highest median income of all races ($67,122), while black households ($32,123) had the lowest, less than half of the amount for white households. American Indians ($40,327) and Hispanic or Latinos ($45,155) also had lower median household incomes in 2017.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While Central Minnesota has a smaller share of foreign-born residents than the state, a much larger share of the region’s immigrants has arrived more recently. Thirty percent of immigrants in Central Minnesota arrived after 2010, compared to 21.5 percent statewide. A larger share of black immigrants helps explain some of the reasons behind the very low household income for blacks in the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The number of foreign-born residents in the region increased almost twice as fast in Central Minnesota compared to the state overall, jumping 43.4 percent from 2010 to 2017. The largest immigrant increase was from Africa, which more than tripled since 2010, followed by Latin America and Asia; while the number of immigrants from Europe declined from 2010 to 2017.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>407376</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:10Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>2019 Manufacturing Highlights</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>2019 Manufacturing Highlights</Title><title>2019-09-12 2019 Manufacturing Highlights ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-402508&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2019-09-12T19:30:33Z</Date><ShortDescription>The top 10 distinguishing manufacturing sectors in Central Minnesota have at least twice the employment concentration as we would expect in the state. </ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Declared &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/ed/minnesota-industries/manufacturing/mfgweek/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Manufacturing Month&lt;/a&gt;, October is a perfect time to consider the importance of the industry to our communities and consumers across the globe. By far the largest industry that produces a good rather than a service, manufacturing provides more than 42,000 jobs for workers in Central Minnesota. Long considered a key industry to bolster the middle class with good paying jobs, manufacturing continues to be relevant in the region by evolving and specializing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/mn-5c-20manufac_7917096%20%281%29_tcm1045-402113.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Manufacturing 2019&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Manufacturing 2019&quot; style=&quot;width: 300px; height: 701px;&quot; class=&quot;photoRightNoBorder&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;2019-central&quot; /&gt; Playing to the strengths of supply chains, educational programs, and the specialized skills of the current workforce in the region, the top ten most concentrated manufacturing subsectors contain 40 percent of all manufacturing jobs in Central Minnesota. Location quotients are an excellent way to determine what areas of a regional economy have higher or lower than expected employment. A location quotient (LQ) of 1 means there is the same employment concentration in the region as there is statewide. Anything over 1 indicates that there is over-representation, while an LQ of less than 1 means there is a lower concentration in the region than statewide.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The top 10 distinguishing manufacturing sectors in Central Minnesota all have LQs of 2 or higher, meaning they have at least twice the employment concentration as we would expect in the state. Motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing has the highest LQ of 5.9, meaning Central Minnesota has 5.9 times more employment than we would expect for Minnesota. Household and institutional furniture and kitchen cabinet manufacturing and nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing also have strong concentrations in the region. The 10 manufacturing segments highlighted in Figure 1 help distinguish Central Minnesota from other parts of the state, or make it a bit special (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/091119-cen-figure1_tcm1045-402513.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Distinguishing Manufacturing Sectors in Central Minnesota, 2018&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Distinguishing Manufacturing Sectors in Central Minnesota, 2018&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;091119-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;br xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot; /&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In addition to high job counts, several of these manufacturing specialties are also high paying, with average annual wages ranging from just over $44,400 in animal slaughtering and processing to nearly $90,000 in industrial machinery manufacturing. In fact, of the 40 manufacturing subsectors with employment in Central Minnesota, 33 of them offered higher than average annual wages for the total of all industries, which was $43,732 in 2018 (Table 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/091119-cen-table1_tcm1045-402515.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Table 1. Central Minnesota Manufacturing Employment, 2018&quot; alt=&quot;Table 1. Central Minnesota Manufacturing Employment, 2018&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;091119-cen-table1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>402508</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:09Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Exploring Careers in Architecture and Construction</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Exploring Careers in Architecture and Construction</Title><title>2019-08-09 Exploring Careers in Architecture and Construction ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-398265&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2019-08-09T18:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>It’s not unusual to work in construction and architecture starting out around $20 per hour, then with skills and experience find wages close to $40 or more per hour.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Following the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.minnstate.edu/system/cte/consortium_resources/documents/POS-Career-Wheel-18x24-poster-2016.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;career wheel hierarchy&lt;/a&gt;, architecture and construction is a career cluster within the engineering, manufacturing, and technology career field. In Central Minnesota more than 16,000 jobs exist in the construction and architecture career cluster, with most jobs in the construction pathway (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/080719-cen-figure1_tcm1045-398267.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Career Cluster and Pathway for Architecture &amp;amp; Construction&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Career Cluster and Pathway for Architecture &amp;amp; Construction&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;080719-cen-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;High demand and not enough workers in this specialized segment of the economy is fueling both record numbers of openings and pushing wages higher. For more information and videos on what these jobs are all about, check out DEED’s new career wheel tool.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Construction and architecture offer plenty of opportunities for advancement. Entry-level occupations that require a high school diploma or GED can make an excellent launch point to gain experience and secure higher paying positions in the future. Besides using experience to move up the career ladder, numerous college programs are also available to prepare students for specific occupations, a few of which require higher education (Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/080719-cen-figure2_tcm1045-398268.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 2. Central Minnesota Employment and Wages in Construction and Architecture Career Cluster&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 2. Central Minnesota Employment and Wages in Construction and Architecture Career Cluster&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;080719-cen-figure2&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Without revolving debt or a highly leveraged start in life, a single adult in central Minnesotans needs roughly $15 per hour to live an independent, safe and healthy lifestyle. All but one occupation in the construction and architecture career cluster have typical starting wages above that threshold. The one occupation that might start at less than $15 per hour, installation and maintenance repair helpers, still pays an hourly rate above $22.47 for a quarter of all jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Occupations like these are excellent places for workers lacking experience or facing barriers to gain skills and move up the wage scale. It’s not uncommon to work in the construction and architecture cluster starting out close to $20 per hour, and with skills and experience find wages approaching $40 or more per hour.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>398265</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:08Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Inflation and You</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Inflation and You</Title><title>2019-07-16 Inflation and You ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-393056&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2019-07-16T16:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Why wage growth among occupational groups varies.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Last month’s Central Local Look covered the relationship between monetary policy and the labor market, specifically how demand for workers can lead to wage growth that outpaces inflation. This blogpost will dive into more detail, possibly exposing what occupations are most difficult for businesses to fill.
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Since 2012, when Minnesota’s employment level topped its pre-recession peak, Central Minnesota saw an average growth in inflation-adjusted median wage offers of 2 percent. Life, physical and social science occupations have seen the fastest inflation-adjusted growth, averaging a 16 percent rise in median wage offers for job openings. Occupations in this category include chemists, economists, physicists, and scientists.
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Other occupational groups that have enjoyed fast growing wage offers for job openings include construction; installation, maintenance, and repair; and business and financial operations. Six occupational groups lagged the overall inflation-adjusted wage growth for openings, including health care practitioners and technical occupations, production, and personal care and service occupations. Education, training and library occupations experienced no inflation-adjusted wage offer growth for job openings (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/071219_cen_figure1_tcm1045-393057.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Average Annual Inflation Adjusted Wage Growth for Central Minnesota Job Openings, 2012-2018&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Average Annual Inflation Adjusted Wage Growth for Central Minnesota Job Openings, 2012-2018&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;071219-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;br xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot; /&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Wage growth statistics for job openings can be pushed and pulled by various dynamics. For instance, if an occupational group has very low turnover, openings might occur mainly for entry-level jobs that pay less to start, keeping wage offers lower. In contrast, an occupation with acute demand for workers but a lack of qualified candidates might have to raise wages significantly to draw in a supply of workers. Data is full of nuances, so it’s important to think about why the wage growth among the occupational groups might be so varied.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;You can explore historical trends for job vacancies using a &lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/profile/magda.olson#!/vizhome/GreinerNewJVS/Dashboard12&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;new interactive visualization&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/profile/magda.olson#!/vizhome/GreinerNewJVS/Dashboard12&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/071219_cen_figure2_tcm1045-393065.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Minnesota Job Vacancies, Fourth Quarter, 2018&quot; alt=&quot;Minnesota Job Vacancies, Fourth Quarter, 2018&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;071219-cen-figure2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>393056</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:08Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Show Me the Money</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Show Me the Money</Title><title>2019-06-11 Show Me the Money ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-387982&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2019-06-11T16:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Central Minnesota job seekers are benefiting from more buying power recently, but it will take faster wage growth to lure potential workers off the sidelines and into the labor force. </ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota employers have been posting &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;record numbers of job openings&lt;/a&gt; the past few years, and the labor market has never looked better for job seekers. But the ability to get a job isn’t always the benchmark used by actual humans as it is in economic models. Instead many workers carefully assess factors like schedule, location, benefits, and work environment or management, among others. Yet the most important factor for typical job seekers (both employed and unemployed) is wages.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The current tight labor market has finally pushed median wage offers (the wage advertised for job openings) for all occupations higher in recent years, succumbing to the overwhelming demand for scarce labor. The most recent Job Vacancy Survey data indicate that through 2018, wage offers hovered around $14 per hour. That is not bad considering how low wage offers were during the recession – $9.23 per hour in 2009.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Recalling what things used to cost, or what jobs used to pay, does little to help understand price changes. To have a better grasp on what things used to cost or in this case, wage growth, the dollars need to be adjusted for inflation. Adjusting for inflation accounts for the deflationary effect that rising prices have on current dollars. For wage offers to actually rise, they need to increase faster than inflation. The Federal Reserve publicly targets 2 percent inflation per year, but monetary policy and controlling the supply of money can only do so much, leaving the actual rate of inflation a bit of a moving target.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/060719_cen_figure1_tcm1045-387984.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Median Wage Offers in Central Minnesota, All Occupations&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;060719-cen-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;After accounting for inflation, it’s easy to see that much of the gain in wages has been eroded by inflation, though &lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/profile/magda.olson#!/vizhome/GreinerJVS/Bars&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;wage offers are slowly increasing&lt;/a&gt;. Slowly is the key word, since real median wage offers have risen just 29 cents since the pre-recession peak in 2004. The last recession was a serious setback for real median wage offer growth. The good news is the gap between real and nominal median wage offer growth is narrowing, or at least the trends suggest that real median wage offers could be catching up to nominal growth. Simply put, job seekers are benefiting from more buying power recently, but it would take faster wage growth to lure would-be workers off the sidelines and into the labor force.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>387982</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:08Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Exploring Careers in Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications </Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Exploring Careers in Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications </Title><title>2019-05-10 Exploring Careers in Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-384244&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2019-05-10T20:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Skills, natural talent, and passion can help you narrow down an occupation. LMI can help with the research.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Within the broader career field of &lt;em&gt;Arts, Communications, and Information Systems&lt;/em&gt; is the arts, audio/video technology, and communications career cluster. This career cluster contains roughly 2,000 current jobs in Central Minnesota and has five career pathways. Printing technology has the highest employment with 740 jobs, followed by telecommunications with 640, while the performing arts pathway has comparatively low employment (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/050819_cen_figure1_tcm1045-384245.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Central Minnesota Employment for Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications Pathways&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Central Minnesota Employment for Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications Pathways&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;050819_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
Researching different career pathways and narrowing down actual occupations is a good approach. This career cluster includes 14 different occupations ranging from floral designers and musicians to printing press operators and telecommunications equipment installers.
&lt;br xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot; /&gt;
 
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Figure 2 provides current employment levels and the typical range of wages. While half of all jobs in Central Minnesota pay within the range in Figure 2, that also means that one quarter of jobs pay less than the low end, and a quarter of jobs pay more than the high end. Typically new or entry-level workers looking to build their skillset will find employment at the low end of the wage range, while experienced, highly skilled workers are often compensated at higher rates.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Educational requirements range from a high school diploma or less to a bachelor’s degree, offering various opportunities regardless of educational attainment. Occupations with low educational requirements but high wages – telecommunication equipment installers and repairers – require a high level of skill despite little formal education. Skills for jobs like these are most often gained through on-the-job training, apprenticeships, or a related post-secondary credential.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/050819_cen_figure2_tcm1045-384246.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 2. Central Minnesota Employment and Wages&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 2. Central Minnesota Employment and Wages&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;050819_cen_figure2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;br xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot; /&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The key to being successful in any of these fields is research and exploration to find the best fit. For those looking to work in the arts, communications, and information systems career field, consider how skills, natural abilities, and passion can help narrow down an occupation. To explore the career field, use &lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/views/Greiner_CareerWheel/Story1?:embed=y&amp;amp;:display_count=yes&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;this link&lt;/a&gt; to navigate the various career pathways&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/views/Greiner_CareerWheel/Story1?:embed=y&amp;amp;:display_count=yes&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/050819_cen_figure3_tcm1045-384247.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Tableau graphic&quot; alt=&quot;Tableau graphic&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;050819_cen_figure3&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>384244</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:07Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Exploring Careers in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Exploring Careers in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources</Title><title>2019-04-09 Exploring Careers in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-379215&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2019-04-09T19:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Excellent paying jobs exist in the ag, food and natural resource career field for career seekers at every education level. </ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota’s agriculture industry is incredibly important, providing unique job opportunities while supporting a variety of other industries such as manufacturing, finance, and transportation. At an occupational level, the region boasts 32 unique jobs in the agriculture, food, and natural resources career field with 8,380 jobs, excluding self-employment (primarily family farms).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Within the broad career field, Central Minnesota has seven career pathways in which to explore employment opportunities. Figure 1 shows how employment varies within each career pathway. Larger numbers of jobs means more job openings and frequent opportunities to gain employment as current workers move into other occupations or exit the labor force. To that end, one of the largest opportunities is becoming a self-employed farmer. The region is currently home to 14,786 farms according to the most recent data. While roughly half of farmers do something else as their primary occupation, farming is still the most common occupation in the agriculture, food, and natural resources career field in Central Minnesota. Like other industries, self-employment comes with larger risks and can be difficult to obtain success.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/040819-cen-figure1_tcm1045-379218.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Central Minnesota Career Pathways in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Central Minnesota Career Pathways in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;040819-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;br xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot; /&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Aside from becoming a self-employed farmer, the most common employment opportunities are in the food products and processing systems pathway. Roughly 3,300 jobs in this pathway are meat cutters and trimmers or slaughterers and meat packers, a nod to the region’s robust food manufacturing base.  
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This demonstrates that excellent paying jobs exist in the agriculture, food and natural resource career field for people at every education level. Some of the highest paying occupations are listed in Table 1, ranging from soil scientists to farm equipment mechanics.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/040819-cen-table1_tcm1045-379220.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Table 1. Central Minnesota Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource Occupations with High Median Wages&quot; alt=&quot;Table 1. Central Minnesota Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource Occupations with High Median Wages&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;040819-cen-table1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;br xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot; /&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For those looking to work in the agriculture, food, and natural resources career field, consider how skills, natural abilities, and passion can narrow down an occupation to pursue. To explore the agriculture, food, and natural resource career field, &lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/views/Greiner_CareerWheel/Story1?:embed=y&amp;amp;:display_count=yes&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;use this link&lt;/a&gt; to navigate the various career pathways.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/views/Greiner_CareerWheel/Story1?:embed=y&amp;amp;:display_count=yes&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/040819-cen-figure2_tcm1045-379229.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Select a Career Field to Explore Careers Using Tableau&quot; alt=&quot;Select a Career Field to Explore Careers Using Tableau&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;040819-cen-figure2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>379215</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:06Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Industries in Decline</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Industries in Decline</Title><title>2019-03-13 Industries in Decline ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-375751&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2019-03-13T21:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Industries that once provided ample employment might not continue as major job providers in the future. Job seekers should ask: Does the change mean opportunities with different skill requirements? </ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Normally, Local Look focuses on the highlights of Central Minnesota’s economy, but it is also important to understand areas of the economy experiencing job losses during this extended economic expansion. While declining employment was common during the recession from 2008 to 2010, most industries have recovered. However, a handful of industries have remained in decline, or are continuing a long-term downward employment trend.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Fortunately for Central Minnesota, the vast majority of the 80 detailed industry sectors have experienced job growth in recent years. A smaller set of industries has seen greater employment fluctuations up and down since the recovery, but the trendlines are still pointing up. Unfortunately, seven industries exhibit consistent, long-term job losses (Table 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/030719-cen-table1_tcm1045-375754.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Table 1. Declining Industries in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Table 1. Declining Industries in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;030719-cen-table1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Some reasons a particular industry may be in consistent decline include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Falling demand for goods or services&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Loss of market share to competitors in other areas&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Moving operations to other regions, states or countries, possibly to capitalize on lower labor, material, or production costs&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Strategic decisions based on geography (moving closer to customer base, to gain access to skilled workforce, or maybe from an acquisition or consolidation)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Automation or increased efficiency of labor, thereby reducing the number of workers needed to produce an equal or larger output.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While the reason(s) for decline in a particular industry varies, so does the implication to the local economy. It means fewer jobs in certain sectors, but it can also mean that the remaining jobs are different. For instance, if an industry is beginning to adopt new technologies or automation which leads to firms needing fewer workers, it’s likely that the remaining employees and future recruits will need to possess different skills.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To that point, two of the declining industries saw wages increase faster than the overall economy in Central Minnesota during the 2010 to 2017 period: electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing, and the furniture and furnishing manufacturing industry.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Declining industries are nothing to take lightly; however, the situation is far from dire. The seven industries in the table represent a small fraction – roughly 5 percent – of Central Minnesota’s economy. Losses in the declining industries from 2010 to 2017 were more than offset by job gains made in other industries. To provide perspective, the specialty trade contractors industry gained 3,354 jobs during the same period, meaning that industry by itself created almost twice as many jobs as the seven declining industries lost.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;One takeaway: Our economy is constantly evolving, so industries that once provided ample employment opportunities might not continue to be major job providers in the future. Job seekers should consider why there are fewer jobs in a particular industry – does the change mean that there are still opportunities, but with different skill requirements?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>375751</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:06Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Exploring Health Science</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Exploring Health Science</Title><title>2019-01-31 Exploring Health Science ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-370414&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2019-01-31T21:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Health science is a broad field that includes five distinct career pathways – and about 85 percent of jobs are found in one pathway, therapeutic services. </ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Health science, one of the six career fields defined by the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.minnstate.edu/system/cte/consortium_resources/documents/POS-Career-Wheel-18x24-poster-2016.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Minnesota Department of Education&lt;/a&gt; and the &lt;a href=&quot;https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/careers/fields.html&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Minnesota State College and University system&lt;/a&gt;, is a broad field that includes five distinct career pathways. Each of the five career pathways are made up of numerous individual occupations that workers do for a living: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/careers/biotechnology-research-pathway.html&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Biotech research and development&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/careers/diagnostic-services-pathway.html&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Diagnostic services&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/careers/support-services-pathway.html&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Support services&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/careers/health-informatics-pathway.html&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Health informatics&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/careers/therapeutic-services-pathway.html&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Therapeutic services&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although there are excellent careers in each pathway, about 85 percent of jobs are found in &lt;em&gt;therapeutic services.&lt;/em&gt; The three largest occupations include &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=291141&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;registered nurses&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=311011&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;home health aides&lt;/a&gt;, and &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=311014&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;certified nursing assistants&lt;/a&gt;. With 6,160 jobs in the region, RNs account for almost a quarter of all employment in the health science career field. In addition, HHAs and CNAs amount to 8,310 jobs, or 31 percent of jobs in the health science career field. Combined, these three occupations make up 54 percent of all jobs in health science (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/013019-cen-figure1_tcm1045-370415.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Central Minnesota Health Science Career Pathways Employment&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Central Minnesota Health Science Career Pathways Employment&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;013019-cen-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This is helpful for students eyeing a health science pathway in high school or college and wanting to size up their options. While many occupations offer excellent opportunities in health science, it’s important to consider how much employment exists within a given occupation. Larger numbers of employment typically lead to more frequent opportunities, including job openings due to retirements and job changes. This could translate into multiple job openings in different locations at the same time. RNs, HHAs, and CNAs are in high demand in the region and provide lots of job opportunities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;On the other hand, &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=292033&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;nuclear medicine technologists&lt;/a&gt; in the diagnostic services pathway has only 20 jobs in Central Minnesota, and there were currently just 40 &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/DetailedOccupationData?code=319097&amp;amp;geog=CMN,US,MN&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;phlebotomists&lt;/a&gt; in the support services pathway. While they are great careers, they might provide less frequent job openings, and the openings might be offered in fewer locations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>370414</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:06Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>New Projections for 2019</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>New Projections for 2019</Title><title>2019-01-11 New Projections for 2019 ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-364813&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2019-01-11T20:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Central Minnesota is projected to be the fastest growing in the state with a growth rate of 8.5 percent from 2016-26. </ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The new year brings newly updated 2016-2026 regional employment projections from DEED’s Labor Market Information Office. If you are the inquisitive type, you can explore the &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/employment-outlook/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Employment Outlook&lt;/a&gt; web tool to compare projections for industry or occupational employment for each of the state’s six regions. Or you can take an analyst’s word for it: I’ve compiled a few highlights for Central Minnesota’s expected future employment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Official employment projections provide a rosy growth prospect for the Central Minnesota region. It is projected to be the fastest growing region in the state with a growth rate of 8.5 percent from 2016 to 2026. This amounts to more than 26,600 net new jobs.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;This means 14.6 percent of all new jobs in the state are projected to be gained in Central Minnesota, which will increase the region’s share of statewide employment slightly. Currently, the share of statewide employment is 10 percent.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The health care industry is projected to add the most new jobs, expanding by roughly 9,300 jobs between 2016 and 2026, while the construction industry is projected to grow the fastest (+24%).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/010919-cen-figure1_tcm1045-364817.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Central Minnesota&apos;s 2016-2026 Industry Employment Projections&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Central Minnesota&apos;s 2016-2026 Industry Employment Projections&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;010919-cen-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As Figure 1 indicates, employment growth varies substantially by industry, ranging from 24 percent in construction to -20.5 percent for the mining industry (the smallest employing industry in the region). While employment declines are unfortunate, the projected job loss in the three declining industries – mining; information; and agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting – amounts to just 537 jobs. That’s a relatively small number of lost jobs considering the 337,000 jobs the region is projected to have by 2026.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The industries growing faster than typical include Construction; Professional and Technical Services; Health Care and Social Assistance; Transportation and Warehousing; Administrative and Waste Services; and Wholesale Trade. Absent from that list is manufacturing and retail trade, currently the 2nd and 3rd largest industries in the region. Despite slower than typical growth, manufacturing and retail trade are still expected to hold their places as the 2nd and 3rd largest industries, respectively.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>364813</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:05Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Central Minnesota’s Job Vacancies Spike</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota’s Job Vacancies Spike</Title><title>2018-12-10 Central Minnesota’s Job Vacancies Spike ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-361890&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2018-12-10T19:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Unemployment edged down to 2.2 percent, and job openings have increased over 40 percent from last year. This latest spike in job vacancies was the fastest in the state.   </ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;It’s a seller’s market for job seekers in Central Minnesota looking to ‘sell’ their skill set to employers. October’s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/laus/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;unemployment rate&lt;/a&gt; edged down to 2.2 percent from 2.5 percent a year ago, and the latest data on job openings show 41 percent more than the year prior. In fact, the latest &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;job vacancy data&lt;/a&gt; from the 2nd quarter of 2018 recorded the largest number of job openings in the history of the survey (dating back to 2001). The latest record eclipsed the previous number from 2015 by 30 percent! This latest spike in job vacancies was the fastest in the state, which saw an overall increase of 16 percent. (Figure 1)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/120618-cen-figure1_tcm1045-362027.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Job Openings and Median Wage Offers in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Job Openings and Median Wage Offers in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;120618-cen-figure1rev&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
Of the 15,536 job openings in Central Minnesota, 57 percent are full-time and just 9 percent are temporary or seasonal. Other highlights of current regional job vacancies include:
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;85 percent of full-time openings offered health care (20 percent for part-time openings)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The median hourly wage offered for full-time openings was $15.98 ($12.14 for part-time openings)
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;the Utilities industry had the highest overall median wage offer at $21.55&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;One-in-five openings were at retail trade establishments&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Two-thirds of full-time openings required a high school diploma or less
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;19 percent required vocational training or an associate degree&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;10 percent required a bachelor’s degree and 4 percent an advanced degree&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Just over 21 percent of openings were at firms with less than 10 employees&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The most common full-time opening was for retail sales workers, followed by construction trade workers and first-line supervisors of retail sales workers&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Some occupations (such retail salespersons or cashiers) with higher turnover rates consistently have large numbers of entry-level openings to replace workers who get promoted or move on to a different career. These types of occupations also typically have lower wages; however, there are many occupations with large numbers of full-time openings that have relatively high starting wages, such as truck drivers ($20.08) or carpenters ($22.29). (Table 1)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/120618-cen-table1rev_tcm1045-362034.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Table 1. Central Minnesota Full-time Openings, 2nd Qtr. 2018&quot; alt=&quot;Table 1. Central Minnesota Full-time Openings, 2nd Qtr. 2018&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;120618-cen-table1rev&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>361890</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:04Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Central Minnesota is Home to Thousands of Veterans </Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Home to Thousands of Veterans </Title><title>2018-11-01 Home to Thousands of Veterans ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-357370&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2018-11-01T13:02:14Z</Date><ShortDescription>Thirty percent of central Minnesota veterans have some level of service-related disability, higher than any other region of Minnesota. </ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Almost 49,000 veterans call central Minnesota home, the largest number outside of the Twin Cities. Although the majority of veterans have served without incurring a service-connected disability, 30 percent of central Minnesota veterans have at least some level of service-related disability, higher than any other region of Minnesota. Statewide, roughly a quarter of veterans have a service-connected disability.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The service-connected disability ratings assigned to veterans by the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/benefits_chap02.asp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs&lt;/a&gt; are different than the disability system used by the Social Security Disability Insurance program, and therefore not comparable.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.stcloud.va.gov/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;St. Cloud VA Health Care System&lt;/a&gt; in Stearns County specializes in serving veterans who have separated with any condition other than dishonorable. The &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/state.asp?STATE=MN&amp;amp;dnum=ALL&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;St. Cloud VA Health Care System&lt;/a&gt; is the only comprehensive facility for veterans in Greater Minnesota, and the only other VA Health Care System besides the VA Health Care System in Minneapolis.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Areas of care provided include primary and specialty care, mental health care, surgical and specialty care, urgent care, acute psychiatric care, telemedicine, extended care and rehabilitation, imaging, laboratory and pharmacy services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Specialty care services include audiology, cardiology, dentistry, hematology, oncology, optometry, orthopedics, podiatry, pulmonology, urology and rheumatology.  An Ambulatory Surgery (same-day) Center opened in the fall of 2011 and provides access to additional outpatient surgical procedures.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The medical center&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/Guide/LongTermCare/VA_Community_Living_Centers.asp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Community Living Center&lt;/a&gt; (extended care and rehabilitation) provides skilled care through home-based primary care, nursing home care, adult day health care, ventilator-dependent care, memory care, hospice care and a variety of rehabilitation programs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The St. Cloud VA Health Care System operates three Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.stcloud.va.gov/locations/alexandria.asp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Alexandria&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.stcloud.va.gov/locations/brainerd.asp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Brainerd&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.stcloud.va.gov/locations/montevideo.asp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Montevideo&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/Results?l=Saint%20Cloud%2C%20Minnesota&amp;amp;d=VA&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;St. Cloud VA is currently hiring for over 25 positions&lt;/a&gt;, ranging from physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists to LPNs and nursing assistants to information technology specialists and food service workers. Most of these positions require post-secondary education, and also offer competitive wages. The salary offers for physicians and administrators at the VA were over $100,000 per year, advanced practice nurses started at nearly $80,000 annually, staff nurses were starting above $60,000, LPNs were at $35,000, and a position for a food service worker was posted starting at $15.36 per hour.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Many of these positions and wage offers line up with current data from &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/jvs/Results.aspx&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;DEED’s Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt;, which show several openings for physicians, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners in Central Minnesota with median wage offers just below $50 per hour, registered nurses at $28.50 per hour, and LPNs at $18.47 per hour.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With the only VA Health Care System in Greater Minnesota located in the middle of central Minnesota, there is a higher percentage of veterans, as well as a higher percentage of veterans with a service-connected disability in the region. Access to service is highly valued, perhaps helping to explain the higher than typical rates of veterans with service-connected disabilities found in Stearns County and the surrounding counties. In fact, counties with the second, third, and fourth highest percentage of veterans with service-connected disabilities in the state are found in central Minnesota near the St. Cloud VA.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Check out this &lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/profile/magda.olson#!/vizhome/Veterans_SCDisability/Disability&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;interactive data visualization&lt;/a&gt; to see more details on the disability ratings of veterans in each county.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/102918_cen_map1_tcm1045-357373.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Percent of Veterans with a Service-connected Disability, 2016&quot; alt=&quot;Percent of Veterans with a Service-connected Disability, 2016&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;102918-cen-map1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>357370</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:03Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>2018 Manufacturing Highlights</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>2018 Manufacturing Highlights</Title><title>2018-09-26 2018 Manufacturing Highlights ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-352948&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2018-09-26T20:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Manufacturing is the second largest employing industry, yet Central Minnesota still has about 1,100 fewer manufacturing jobs than it did at the start of the Great Recession in 2007.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/2018-mn-manufac_24865643_tcm1045-352185.png&quot; title=&quot;2018 Central Minnesota Manufacturing&quot; alt=&quot;2018 Central Minnesota Manufacturing&quot; style=&quot;width: 300px; height: 701px;&quot; class=&quot;photoRightNoBorder&quot; xlink:title=&quot;2018-central&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With 41,806 jobs at 1,177 establishments, manufacturing is the second largest employing industry in the 13-county Central Minnesota planning region, just behind health care and social assistance. Manufacturing accounts for 15.2 percent of total employment in Central Minnesota, which is 4 percent more concentrated than in the state as a whole, where 11.2 percent of total jobs are in manufacturing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;After expanding steadily from 2010 to 2015, manufacturing job growth slowed in Central Minnesota in 2016, then resumed growth in 2017. However, the region still has about 1,100 fewer manufacturing jobs than it did in 2007, the start of the recession (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota has just over 9.6 percent of total employment in the state, but 13 percent of the manufacturing jobs. More impressively, the region is home to over 28 percent of the state’s furniture and related product manufacturing employment – which includes kitchen cabinets; about 24 percent of the state’s jobs in transportation equipment manufacturing and paper manufacturing; and 22 percent of the statewide employment in nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing – which includes granite countertops.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With 8,460 jobs, the largest sector in the region is food manufacturing – which is nearly 18 percent of the statewide total. Almost half of those jobs are in the animal slaughtering and processing subsector, which had 4,056 jobs in the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota also shows higher concentrations of jobs in food manufacturing, fabricated metal product manufacturing, plastics and rubber product manufacturing, beverage manufacturing, and electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/091918-cen-figure1_tcm1045-352949.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1. Central Minnesota Industry Employment Trends, 2000-2017&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1. Central Minnesota Industry Employment Trends, 2000-2017&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;091918-cen-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The manufacturing industry provides average annual wages of $52,520 in Central Minnesota, which was $10,000 higher than the average annual wage across all industries. With roughly $2.2 billion in total payroll in 2017, manufacturing wages accounted for almost 19 percent of all wages paid out in Central Minnesota. After rising 3.6 percent, average wages at manufacturing establishments narrowly outpaced the 3.3 percent wage growth across all industries from 2016 to 2017. Paper manufacturing provided the highest average annual wage in the region at $66,768 in 2017. Relatively high wages were also found in chemical manufacturing (which includes ethanol production) and computer and electronic product manufacturing, which both had average annual wages over $60,000 per year in 2017 (Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/091918-cen-figure2_tcm1045-352950.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 2. Average Annual Wages in Central Minnesota, 2017&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 2. Average Annual Wages in Central Minnesota, 2017&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;091918-cen-figure2&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>352948</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:03Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Using the Career Wheel to Reach Your Goals</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Using the Career Wheel to Reach Your Goals</Title><title>2018-09-05 Using the Career Wheel to Reach Your Goals ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-351151&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2018-09-05T19:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>The dashboard arranges occupational data for easy use by education professionals and those guiding students.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A few years ago I began providing research and presentations to students and staff at various educational institutions. My intent was to provide accurate labor market information to help students make the best decisions possible. I wanted content to be useful for everyone who would be guiding students in their career decision-making.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Everyone seemed pleased with the information, but then a school district asked to see how their proposed career and technical education program ‘fit’ their local economy. This should have been a simple request, but the problem was that nearly all levels of Minnesota’s education system organize occupations differently than economists do. I couldn’t easily understand what type of program they were pursuing, and they couldn’t easily decipher how my data fit their proposal.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To address this, I built a crosswalk dashboard to create labor market information that people from educational institutions can easily use.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Instead of navigating through the &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.bls.gov/Oes/current/oes_stru.htm&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Standard Occupational Classification&lt;/a&gt; (SOC) hierarchy that is universally used in economics, the dashboard arranges occupational data based on the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.minnstate.edu/system/cte/consortium_resources/documents/POS-Career-Wheel-8x11-2016.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Career Wheel&lt;/a&gt; that the Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities use. Another benefit: Students are likely much more familiar with the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.minnstate.edu/system/cte/consortium_resources/documents/POS-Career-Wheel-8x11-2016.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Career Wheel&lt;/a&gt; than they are with SOC codes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;I have been gathering feedback and plan to make ongoing improvements, but the current dashboard should be able to aide in career exploration at the high school level. This is what you can find using the dashboard, all of which are extremely important when exploring careers:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;What occupations specific career fields, clusters, and pathways lead to&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Based on the selected region of Minnesota, what current employment looks like (i.e. how many jobs there currently are)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Regionally-specific median hourly wages&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;What type of education is typically required for these occupations&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This dashboard shows how many jobs are currently filled, an important factor for how many openings are possible for employment opportunities. For instance, if there are only 20 current jobs for a specific occupation in the geography of interest, the number of openings is likely limited. Median hourly wages can help students understand the earning potential that different occupations can provide. And the typical educational requirement should assist students in deciding if higher education is necessary to achieve their goals.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;So go ahead, do some exploring!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/career-pathways-tool/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/career-wheel_tcm1045-351318.jpg&quot; title=&quot;career-wheel&quot; alt=&quot;career-wheel&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;career-wheel&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>351151</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:01Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>East Bound and Down</Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>East Bound and Down</Title><title>2018-08-03 East Bound and Down ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-348005&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2018-08-03T21:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Truck driving is not only a career in high demand – heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver jobs are projected to grow by 10.8 percent – it’s also incredibly important. </ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Truck driving is not only a career in high demand, it’s also incredibly important. Virtually every facet of our life depends on truck drivers to transport goods. And while autonomous vehicles currently exist, truck driving occupations aren’t disappearing anytime soon. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;According to &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/jvs/Results.aspx&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;DEED’s Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt;, employers in Central Minnesota reported an average of 433 heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver openings in 2017, the largest number ever recorded (dating back to 2001). The job vacancy rate for truck drivers was nearly double the overall rate, which means that a large number of jobs are currently unfilled relative to the amount of employment in the heavy and tractor-trailer truck driving occupation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;At $22.04 per hour, the median wage offer for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers increased 35 percent from 2010 to 2017, also the result of increasing demand for drivers. Wage offers grew faster than the overall increase for job openings, which increased 27 percent. The dip in wage offers for openings in 2015 and 2016 appear to be the result of a large number of part-time and temporary openings (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/073118-cen-figure1_tcm1045-348007.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure 1 Heavy tractor trailer truck driver employment in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Figure 1 Heavy tractor trailer truck driver employment in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;073118-cen-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;br xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot; /&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The large numbers of openings aren’t just from the truck transportation industry replacing older drivers who are leaving the labor force. The industry is also expanding at a healthy pace. Data from &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/qcew/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;DEED’s Quarterly Census of Employment &amp;amp; Wages&lt;/a&gt; program show that from 2007 to 2017, the truck transportation industry increased employment at a faster rate than the regional economy in all but two years, meaning that the industry is growing and in need of more drivers. Roughly 60 percent of jobs in the truck transportation industry are heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Looking to the future, heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver jobs are projected to grow by 10.8 percent in Central Minnesota, more than the overall employment growth across all occupations. Though the future of truck driving might look different, the current demand and opportunity for aspiring drivers is favorable in the area and across the state.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>348005</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:49:01Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title>Looking for Greener Pastures? Explore Landscaping and Groundskeeping </Title><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Looking for Greener Pastures? Explore Landscaping and Groundskeeping </Title><title>2018-07-03 Looking for Greener Pastures? Explore Landscaping and Groundskeeping ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-345517&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2018-07-03T18:00:00Z</Date><ShortDescription>Enjoy being outdoors and working with your hands? The landscaping and groundskeeping field might be worth a look.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As summer is in full glory, landscaping and groundskeeping workers across the state are preening and maintaining the grounds of commercial and residential properties, making them look nice and green. If you enjoy being outdoors, working with your hands, and the satisfaction of a job well done, the landscaping and groundskeeping field might be worth a look. &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oes/&quot;&gt;DEED data&lt;/a&gt; show that Central Minnesota is home to over &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/projections/detail.asp?code=373011&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00Central%20Minnesota&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;1,250 landscaping and groundskeeping jobs&lt;/a&gt; with another &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/projections/detail.asp?code=371012&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00Central%20Minnesota&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;170 jobs supervising landscapers and groundskeepers&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Entering the field can be as easy as getting a summer job mowing lawns, but that’s really just the start. After gaining experience and knowledge, the landscaping and groundskeeping field has opportunities ranging from sod laying, planting and fertilizing, underground irrigation installation, and retaining wall construction.Supervisory opportunities also exist that might focus more on reviewing contracts, providing estimates, and coordinating and supervising the workers who are directly engaged in landscaping and groundskeeping.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;According to the most recent &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/jvs/Results.aspx&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt;, the median hourly wage offer for landscaping and groundskeeping jobs in Central Minnesota was $14.68, and experienced workers in the field are earning between $11.46 and $16.82 per hour. Moving into a management role means a higher wage, with half of all supervisory jobs paying between $17.66 and $23.92 in the region, with the highest paying 10 percent of jobs paying $29.59 or more (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/070318-cen-figure1_tcm1045-345518.jpg&quot; title=&quot;070318-cen-figure1&quot; alt=&quot;070318-cen-figure1&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xlink:title=&quot;070318-cen-figure1&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Typically, no formal education is needed beyond high school to start working in landscaping and groundskeeping jobs; instead on-the-job training and experience provide upward mobility into specialty areas or supervisory roles with higher wages.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;These are great summer jobs, but if you thought that landscaping and groundskeeping jobs were only seasonal, think again. Employers in Central Minnesota reported 72 openings in the 4th quarter of 2017, and roughly half were seasonal. That was less than in past surveys, though the percent in the region that were seasonal ranged from 0 percent to 98 percent over the past four years. Likewise about half the openings are full-time, meaning that job opportunities exist for a variety of job seeker needs and schedules.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>345517</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:59Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Too Hot to Handle</Title><title>2018-06-04 Too Hot ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-342036&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2018-06-04T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>HVAC technicians keep you comfortable during muggy nights. Central&apos;s projected employment growth rate for the occupation is comfortable, too.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The seemingly overnight change from winter to summer – and skipping spring – might have you scrambling to adjust your home or workplace from heat to air conditioning. Thank your local HVAC companies and their employees for making the transition a little easier, especially if a repair is needed.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;According to DEED’s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oes/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Occupational Employment Statistics&lt;/a&gt;, the largest number of plumbing, heating, and air conditioning jobs outside of the Twin Cities is found in Central Minnesota, totaling 2,605 jobs in 2017. While the number of jobs was drastically cut during the recession, by 2016 the plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors industry recovered all the jobs lost, and reached a new record employment high.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/060418-cen-figure1_tcm1045-342037.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Employment Trends for Plumbing, Heating and Air-Conditioning Contractors&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Employment Trends for Plumbing, Heating and Air-Conditioning Contractors&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;060418-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;If you find yourself trying to sleep without A/C on a hot, muggy night, you’ll want to call a heating and air conditioning mechanic/installer, better known as an HVAC technician. Central Minnesota has roughly 400 of these jobs, filled by workers who service and install heaters and air conditioning units to meet the needs of Central Minnesota’s residents and companies.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This occupation is in high demand by DEED’s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oid/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Occupations In Demand&lt;/a&gt; tool, meaning employers have a current need and desire to fill open positions. The occupation also has solid opportunity for entrepreneurs, as slightly more than 9 percent of all HVAC technician jobs are held by self-employed workers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To get a job as an HVAC technician, some additional schooling is typically required, most likely vocational education or on-the-job training. About 52 percent of HVAC technicians in Minnesota have some college but less than a bachelor’s degree; another 30 percent of workers have a high school diploma.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Wages for workers are healthy, with a median hourly rate of $27.07 per hour and the top 10 percent earning over $37.05 per hour, though those wages are usually reserved for the most experienced and skilled workers. The most recent data &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt; data from the 4th quarter of 2017 show there were 97 job openings for HVAC technicians in Central Minnesota with starting wages just a little over $16 per hour.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/060418-cen-figure2_tcm1045-342038.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Hourly Wages for HVAC Technicians in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Hourly Wages for HVAC Technicians in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;060418-cen-figure2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/projections/Results.aspx?dataset=1&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00&amp;amp;code=499021&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;region’s projected employment growth rate of +9.3 percent&lt;/a&gt; is higher than typical, and job openings are abundant. Unless the convenience of climate controlled environments is a fad, count on HVAC technicians to keep you comfortable for years to come.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us.&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>342036</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:58Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Wage Pressure</Title><title>2018-04-24 Wage Pressure ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-337420&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2018-04-24T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Record numbers of job openings and slower labor force growth delivered the fourth lowest unemployment rate in Central Minnesota since 1990.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Record numbers of job openings and slower labor force growth delivered the fourth lowest unemployment rate in Central Minnesota since 1990. At four percent in 2017, the region has a slightly higher rate than the state, but still remains lower than the last period of economic expansion.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With mainly frictional unemployment – the normal rate associated from people transitioning between jobs – the tight labor market is favorable for employees and job seekers looking to maximize earnings. Meanwhile, many employers are finding the current situation challenging, raising wages and experimenting with other benefits to attract skilled workers. The data can remove any doubt that central Minnesota is experiencing upward wage pressure.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;From 2015 to 2016, the most recent available annual data, median hourly &lt;strong&gt;wages grew by 5.2 percent&lt;/strong&gt;, the fastest in the state and the biggest year-over-year jump on record (starting in 2003). Inflation during the same period was 1.3 percent.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Since hitting the bottom of the recession in 2010, employers in Central Minnesota have &lt;strong&gt;increased payrolls by 25,235 jobs&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The median number of hours worked per quarter grew to 408 in 2016, about &lt;strong&gt;31.4 hours per week&lt;/strong&gt;. That was the highest median hours on record for Central Minnesota.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;With just over 12,300 job vacancies reported in the fourth quarter of 2017, there are now over &lt;strong&gt;five times more&lt;/strong&gt; openings than the low during the Great Recession.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Though wages are up overall, some industries saw hourly wages grow much faster. For example, administrative and waste management services (which includes staffing and temporary help agencies) saw median hourly wages increase by 10.6 percent from 2015 to 2016. Finance and insurance, retail trade, real estate, and accommodation and food service all experienced median hourly wage growth over eight percent in the same period.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Without a significant change in economic conditions, wages will likely continue to maintain their upward trajectory in the short term. As such, the relationship between unemployment rates and wage growth is easy to see in the graph below.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/042418-cen-figure1_tcm1045-337419.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Wage Growth and Unemployment Rates in Central America&quot; alt=&quot;Wage Growth and Unemployment Rates in Central America&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;042418-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us.&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>337420</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:56Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Health Care &amp; Social Assistance Leads to a Healthy Economy</Title><title>2018-03-27 Health Care ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-333660&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2018-03-27T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>The 13-county Central Minnesota region was home to 1,559 health care and social assistance establishments providing 49,677 jobs in the second quarter of 2017, according to DEED’s Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) data.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The 13-county Central Minnesota region was home to 1,559 health care and social assistance establishments providing 49,677 jobs in the second quarter of 2017, according to DEED&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/qcew/AreaSel.aspx&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages&lt;/a&gt; (QCEW) data.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The sector accounted for 17.9 percent of total employment in the region, easily making it the largest employer in the region, well ahead of manufacturing (41,678 jobs) and retail trade (36,222 jobs). Statewide, 17 percent of jobs are in health care and social assistance, meaning health care is slightly more concentrated in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;These health care and social assistance providers paid out $528 million in quarterly payroll in 2017, making it the second largest sector payroll, just behind manufacturing. Average annual wages in health care and social assistance were $42,484 in 2017, which was slightly higher than the total of all industries, but varied widely based on the subsector and industry (Table 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/032718-cen-table1_tcm1045-333663.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance Industry Employment Statistics&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Health Care &amp;amp; Social Assistance Industry Employment Statistics&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;032718-cen-table1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Despite economic fluctuations in the region across other industries, health care and social assistance providers in Central Minnesota have continually added jobs over the past 17 years. Health care and social assistance accounted for 12.9 percent of total jobs in the second quarter of 2000, but after gaining just over 19,000 jobs from 2000 to 2017, the industry now comprises 17.9 percent of total employment. While the number of jobs across the total of all industries expanded 17.4 percent from 2000 to 2017, the health care and social assistance industry jumped 62.4 percent (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/032718-cen-figure1_tcm1045-333671.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Industry Employment Trends&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Industry Employment Trends&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;032718-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Health care and social assistance has become an increasingly important part of Central Minnesota&apos;s economy over the past decade, adding 7,705 net new jobs from the second quarter of 2007 to the second quarter of 2017, an 18.4 percent rise. That was just over half of the total new jobs added in the region over the past 10 years across all industries. And though the health care industry saw slower growth than the total of all industries in the past year, it has still been the largest job contributor in the region since 2000.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Despite a loss of 544 jobs in the past year, ambulatory health care services experienced the largest and fastest increase in jobs over the past decade, adding 4,043 net new jobs from the second quarter of 2007 to the second quarter of 2017. Home health care services saw the biggest jump, adding 1,045 jobs, a 54 percent increase, followed by offices of physicians, which gained 824 jobs, and medical and diagnostic laboratories, which expanded by more than 1,000 jobs since 2012.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Social assistance providers added almost 1,500 jobs over the past decade, primarily at individual and family services, while vocational rehabilitation services actually lost 516 jobs. The region&apos;s nursing and residential care facilities gained 1,111 net new jobs, with huge gains at both continuing care retirement communities and other residential care facilities offsetting job losses at nursing care facilities and developmental disability, mental health, and substance abuse facilities. The region&apos;s hospitals also gained 1,060 net new jobs since 2007, including a huge increase in the past year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us.&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>333660</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:56Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Career Planning is Serious Business</Title><title>2018-02-20 Career Planning ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-328287&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2018-02-20T16:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>In our diverse economy, there are many ways to achieve workforce success.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In our diverse economy, there are many ways to achieve workforce success. Employers in Central Minnesota now provide more than 270,000 jobs, and are actively seeking new workers to fill open positions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Graduating from high school is an important first step, but from there the path to workforce success can go in many directions. Students and job seekers can go straight to work, into the military, on to college, start an apprenticeship, or something else, depending on their career goals.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In other words, there are many pathways into the labor market. Some are short-term solutions, while others are long-term decisions. There are costs and benefits to every approach, and there are practical steps that students and job seekers can take to make the most out of their career planning and educational investment. DEED worked with local partners, including Central Minnesota Jobs &amp;amp; Training Services and Career Solutions, to produce a handout that explains the career planning process in more detail.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;College is an excellent way to move up career ladders and open windows of opportunity to fields that would otherwise be closed, such as nursing or engineering. Many of these occupations offer high wages and are in high demand in the marketplace. Certain careers – such as dentists, lawyers, and school teachers – require a college education, while other jobs – including cost estimators, sales representatives, and correctional officers – do not. Students and job seekers might be surprised to learn that well over half of all jobs in Central Minnesota can begin with a high school diploma or less, and only about one-third require college (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/022018-cen-figure1_tcm1045-328289.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Share of Jobs by Educational Requirements&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Share of Jobs by Educational Requirements&quot; style=&quot;width: 75%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;022018-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While data show that hourly wages rise for each additional level of education completed, there are opportunities for jobs that provide livable wages at every level of education, including many that boast strong current and future demand in every region of the state (Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/022018-wage-cen-hr_tcm1045-328290.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Hourly Wage Ranges for Jobs in Central Minnesota by Typical Education Requirements&quot; alt=&quot;Hourly Wage Ranges for Jobs in Central Minnesota by Typical Education Requirements&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;022018-wage-cen-hr&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To that end, students and job seekers can sort through data from DEED&apos;s Occupational Employment Statistics tool to see the highest paying jobs in the Central region sorted by educational requirements. For example, 140 different occupations requiring just a high school diploma earned more than $50,000 per year in Central Minnesota, including electrical powerline installers and repairers, construction equipment operators, loan officers, structural iron and steel workers, office managers, insurance sales agents, and cement masons. Likewise, median annual wages ranged from $32,500 to almost $80,000 for jobs requiring an associate degree.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/profile/magda.olson#!/vizhome/OccupationsbyEducation/JobsDashboard&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/typical-education_tcm1045-376382.png&quot; title=&quot;Jobs and Wages by Typical Education Requirement&quot; alt=&quot;Jobs and Wages by Typical Education Requirement&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;typical-education&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us.&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>328287</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:54Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Building Businesses</Title><title>2018-01-25 Building ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-325706&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2018-01-25T16:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Nonresidential or commercial construction is the industry that creates the spaces for employers to add equipment and people.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Nonresidential or commercial construction is the industry that creates the spaces for employers to add equipment and people. Strong employment gains in nonresidential construction is the response of a growing economy. Since bottoming out in 2010, Central Minnesota&apos;s economy has added jobs faster than every region of the state except the Twin Cities, and the region&apos;s nonresidential construction industry is booming as a result.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While regional employment in the residential building construction industry remains well below the job levels seen leading up to the recession, nonresidential building construction employment is at an all-time high. Since 2010, jobs in nonresidential construction have grown by 50 percent in Central Minnesota, significantly faster than other regions in the state, including the Twin Cities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although total employment in the industry is relatively small, with 1,578 jobs in 2016, it is the largest regional concentration of these jobs outside of the Twin Cities. Prior to the recession, employment hovered just north of 1,000 jobs, but then bottomed out in 2010 at 814 jobs. Since then, the demand for nonresidential construction has pushed employment and wages higher during the current economic expansion, driving average annual wages to nearly $60,000.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Digging deeper into the data reveals the two subsectors that are included in nonresidential construction, &lt;em&gt;commercial and institutional building construction&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;industrial building construction&lt;/em&gt;. The commercial and institutional construction subsector is by far the larger of the two, with 94 percent of all nonresidential construction jobs. Both subsectors include businesses that provide not only new construction, but also additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. The hierarchy tree below shows the difference between the two subsectors contained in the broader nonresidential building construction industry.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/012518-cen-figure1_tcm1045-325707.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Hierarchy Tree&quot; alt=&quot;Hierarchy Tree&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;012518-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Use the tool below to track employment and wage trends in the nonresidential construction industry in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us.&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/views/GreinerCommercialConstruction/CommercialConstruction?:embed=y&amp;amp;:display_count=yes&amp;amp;:origin=viz_share_link&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/commercial-construction_tcm1045-392447.PNG&quot; title=&quot;commercial-construction&quot; alt=&quot;commercial-construction&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;commercial-construction&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>325706</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:54Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>The Pursuit of Pay</Title><title>2017-12-19 Pursuit ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-322234&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2017-12-19T16:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Central Minnesota is home to ten colleges including private, for-profit, and public colleges and universities.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota is home to ten colleges including private, for-profit, and public colleges and universities. With so many options, understanding how previous graduates have fared in the labor market after successfully completing their higher education is valuable knowledge for potential students.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In a recent survey, 68 percent of high school sophomores who responded indicated that the primary reason they are considering college is to increase earning potential. If that&apos;s the case, wouldn&apos;t it be nice to know what college programs provide maximum income for graduates?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While there is more to choosing a college program than just understanding the expected earnings, it is a very important factor. Students, parents, and counselors are lucky to have DEED&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/graduate-employment-outcomes/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Graduate Employment Outcomes&lt;/a&gt; (GEO) tool in their arsenal when looking at different schools and programs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Figures 1 and 2 highlight the programs with the highest paid graduates by their 6th year after completion at each college in Central Minnesota. Though most schools have many different programs and majors, the obvious pattern across all award levels is the high wages earned by graduates of nursing programs. The only schools where nursing didn&apos;t have the highest median wages was at the Model College of Hair Design and St. John&apos;s University.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The top location of employment for recent graduates also provides insight into outcomes. For the top paying certificate and associate degree programs in Figure 1, students were largely employed in Central Minnesota with the exception of Rasmussen College, which has multiple campus locations across the state.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;On the other hand, at the bachelor degree level, the top-paying programs saw students more widely disbursed in their location of employment after completion. Only St. Cloud State University had a majority of graduates from their top-paying program become employed in Central Minnesota. Students became employed in certain regions based on a myriad of factors, including regional wage differences, job openings, and where they have connections (typically where their family lives).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While graduates of nursing programs obviously have fantastic outcomes, it isn&apos;t the only program that provides skills in demand. With so many schools to choose from, potential students are sure to find a program that fits their needs. DEED&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/cpt/home&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Career and Education Explorer tool&lt;/a&gt; provides a useful framework for learning more about the programs and occupations in demand in Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/121917-cen-figure1_tcm1045-322236.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Technical College Programs with the Highest Median Wages and Top Employing Region Class of 2011&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Technical College Programs with the Highest Median Wages and Top Employing Region Class of 2011&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;121917-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/121917-cen-figure2_tcm1045-322235.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota University Programs with the Highest Median Wages and Top Employing Region Class of 2011&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota University Programs with the Highest Median Wages and Top Employing Region Class of 2011&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;121917-cen-figure2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us.&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>322234</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:50Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Young Workers in Demand</Title><title>2017-11-29 Young Workers ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-319778&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2017-11-29T16:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Young workers and low wages are often synonymous.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Young workers and low wages are often synonymous. With little experience and few skills, young workers largely fill entry-level jobs. However, not all workers in their teens and early twenties are earning wages near minimum. Depending on the industry, median hourly wages for young workers can vary significantly.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Thanks to new data provided by DEED’s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/qed/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Quarterly Employment Demographics&lt;/a&gt; (QED) program, this post will look at how central Minnesota’s economy is responding to shifts in the labor market, particularly for the youngest workers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;After nearly a decade of declining employment, the youngest workers in central Minnesota have begun claiming a larger share of total jobs. Back in 2003, 11.3 percent of jobs in the region were held by workers 19 years and younger. However, this group was impacted by the Great Recession more than any other age cohort, and by 2011 the percentage had dropped to just 8 percent of total jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;An increasing number of jobs are held by workers aged 55 years and older due to the size of that generation in the workforce, which naturally decreased the share that can be held by other cohorts. But the actual number of jobs held by teenagers had been shrinking from 2000-2011, as well. Since bottoming out in 2011, the share of teenaged workers has steadily climbed back to 9.1 percent as of 2016, while the number of jobs held by teenagers also increased for the first time in a decade.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In step with statewide minimum wage increases in 2014, 2015, and 2016, teenaged workers -- the lowest paid workers in the accommodation and food services industry -- saw their wages rise faster than any other age cohort. By 2016 the median hourly wage for workers under 20 years reached $9.50, while the median hours worked slowly crept higher since the end of the recession.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The construction industry has the highest median hourly wage for teenage workers, topping $14.42 per hour compared to a low of $9.25 for the arts, entertainment and recreation industry. The demand for construction industry labor has pushed median hourly wages for teenagers in central Minnesota to grow 3.8 times faster than inflation from 2010-2016. The next highest median hourly wage for teenage workers was $12.08 in manufacturing, and $11.20 in the health care and social assistance industry.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Median hourly wages for workers of all ages in central Minnesota grew by 15.2 percent from the end 2010-2016, far exceeding the 9.3 percent rate of inflation during that period. Possibly from a combination of regaining employment opportunities that young workers were pushed out of during the Great Recession, and substantial increases to the minimum wage, teenage workers enjoyed the fastest wage growth in general, increasing by 29 percent from 2010 to 2016.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Unlike wage growth for teenagers working in retail and accommodation and food service, the rise in construction industry pay was not directly impacted by minimum wage increases. Wages for teenage workers in the construction industry were higher than the minimum wage before the recent minimum wage increase, and was rising years before the policy became law. To see how median hourly wages have changed for teenaged workers in Central Minnesota, use this &lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/profile/magda.olson#!/vizhome/CentralYouthWorkerSpotlight_Greiner/MedianHourlyWages_Greiner&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;visualization&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/112917-cen-figure1_tcm1045-319781.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Median Hourly Wages for Teenage Workers in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Median Hourly Wages for Teenage Workers in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;112917-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more on &lt;a href=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/profile/magda.olson#!/vizhome/CentralYouthWorkerSpotlight_Greiner/MedianHourlyWages_Greiner&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Quarterly Employment Demographics&lt;/a&gt; in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at 320-308-5378 or email &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us.&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>319778</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:50Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>The Experience of a Lifetime</Title><title>2017-10-31 Veterans ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-317117&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2017-10-31T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>It might seem obvious that the skills and experiences veterans bring to the table should boost their employment opportunities</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Serving in the United States Armed Forces offers an experience like no other. Aside from the opportunity to work with incredibly dedicated people in locations most will never see, military service builds a unique range of skills that can help veterans find success after service. The skills our men and women in uniform gain during military service range from self-discipline and teamwork, better known as soft skills, to advanced technical skills. Both types of skills are in high demand and valuable to employers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;It might seem obvious that the skills and experiences veterans bring to the table should boost their employment opportunities. A &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/central/central-blog.jsp#/detail/appId/1/id/262949&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Local Look blog post&lt;/a&gt; in honor of Veterans Day last year highlighted higher median incomes earned by veterans in Central Minnesota. Clearly, veterans in the region are having success finding good-paying jobs using their skills.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;However, despite education benefits such as the GI Bill and tuition assistance, the data show that veterans actually have lower levels of educational attainment. Only 18 percent of veterans in Central Minnesota have a bachelor&apos;s degree or more, while 23 percent of non-veterans have achieved that level of education. The attainment gap for bachelor&apos;s degree or higher is even higher statewide (35 percent for non-veterans vs 26 percent for veterans) than in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/103117-cen-figure1_tcm1045-317118.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Educational Attainment for Central Minnesota&apos;s 25 Years and Older&quot; alt=&quot;Educational Attainment for Central Minnesota&apos;s 25 Years and Older&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;103117-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;So how can it be that veterans have lower levels of education and higher median incomes? It&apos;s reasonable to believe that veterans are exiting military service with enough knowledge and skills to more than offset having lower educational attainment. They may be landing in jobs that value experience and skills just as highly as requiring a specific degree or certificate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A lot can be learned about finding employment success by taking cues from the bravest of men and women. Maybe overcoming challenges and uncertainty is one of the value-added skills that veterans have to overcome lower levels of education.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Don&apos;t forget to thank a veteran for their service and sacrifice.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner at 320-308-5378 or email &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us.&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>317117</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:50Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>2017 Manufacturing Highlights</Title><title>2017-10-02 Manufacturing ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-313172&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2017-10-02T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Manufacturing is the second largest industry in Central Minnesota, behind health care and social assistance. It accounts for 41, 298 jobs at 1,156 firms.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/mn-manufacturin_24865643_tcm1045-313098.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Manufacturing Highlights&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Manufacturing Highlights&quot; style=&quot;width: 40%;&quot; class=&quot;photoRightNoBorder&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;central&quot; /&gt;Manufacturing is the second largest industry in Central Minnesota, behind health care and social assistance. With 41,298 jobs at 1,156 firms, manufacturing accounts for 15.3 percent of all employment in the region. That is more concentrated than in the state as a whole, where 11.3 percent of total jobs are in manufacturing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;From 2011 to 2016, manufacturers in Central Minnesota added 4,500 new jobs, a strong 12.2 percent increase. However, manufacturers sliced 208 jobs in the past year, marking a decline of 0.5 percent from 2015 to 2016.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;At a more detailed level, food manufacturing and fabricated metal product manufacturing are the two largest sectors in the region, with 7,754 and 6,949 jobs in 2016, respectively. Central Minnesota had 9.6 percent of total jobs in the state, but 13 percent of manufacturing jobs and about 17 percent of statewide jobs in those two manufacturing sectors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Other areas of strength in the region include furniture and related product manufacturing (which includes kitchen cabinets); transportation equipment manufacturing; paper manufacturing; nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing (which includes granite countertops); and textile product mills. All of these are at least twice as concentrated in Central Minnesota as in the rest of the state.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Manufacturing is one of the highest paying industries in Central Minnesota. Total payroll in manufacturing neared $2.1 billion in 2016, accounting for 19 percent of total wages in the region. Average annual wages in manufacturing in the region were $50,727 in 2016. That was $9,800 and 24 percent higher than average annual wages across all industries. Manufacturing wages in the region increased 10.8 percent from 2011 to 2016, not keeping pace with an overall increase of 15.4 percent across all industries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Spotlight: Manufacturing Wage Premiums in Central Minnesota&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Manufacturing is Central Minnesota’s second largest industry with a variety of opportunities as diverse as the companies that operate in the region. Typical jobs in manufacturing range from team assemblers and sales representatives to accounting clerks and marketing managers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Looking at the 20 most common production occupations among Central Minnesota manufacturers provides some insight into the types of opportunities the industry offers. Manufacturers in the region not only have ample job opportunities, they pay well, too. Although the median hourly wage for all occupations is $2.17 less in Central Minnesota compared to the statewide median, twelve of the twenty most common production occupations have higher median wages in the region than the state (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/091517-central-figure1_tcm1045-313185.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Top 20 Most Common Production Occupations in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Top 20 Most Common Production Occupations in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;091517-central-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With 2,750 jobs in the region, team assemblers are the largest production occupation in Central Minnesota. Median wages are $16 per hour – more than a dollar higher than the statewide median – with 25 percent of team assembly jobs paid over $19 per hour. Likewise, other large production occupations like machinists and assemblers and fabricators also enjoyed higher wages in Central Minnesota than the rest of the state.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In contrast, welders, cutters, solderers and brazers also comprised over 2,000 jobs in the region, but at $19.74 at the median, hourly wages were $0.60 lower in Central Minnesota than the state as a whole. Other occupations with lower wages include ophthalmic lab technicians, cutting, punching, and press machine setters, cabinetmakers and bench carpenters, CNC machine tool operators, and printing press operators.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Providing a clear vision of what career progression looks like can be a struggle in some industries. Luckily, many manufacturers can point to the nearly 1,800 first-line supervisors of production workers as a positive career path. Supervisors of production workers are one step down from a traditional management position and create a clear pathway for entry-level workers to move into upper middle-class wages with a median hourly wage of $28.58 in Central Minnesota. Typically, the requirements to become a first-line supervisor are based on experience and sometimes on industry-recognized credentials. Although the wages are slightly less in Central Minnesota, one-in-four production supervisor jobs pay $35.48 or more – which would surpass $70,000 per year for a full-time worker.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The largest regional wage premiums among the top 20 production occupations is for cutting and slicing machine operators and coating, painting, and spraying machine operators. Both occupations have well over a $2.00 median wage advantage in Central Minnesota compared to the statewide median, which would amount to about $5,000 in additional wages over a full-time work year. Combined, there are over 1,200 of these positions in Central Minnesota, with both having median hourly wages of more than $20 per hour.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;These wage premiums for workers in the region could be because certain companies, and the processes they use, require higher skills. Or wages could be higher from employers competing for similarly skilled labor, or some combination of those and other factors. In any case, excellent wages and the opportunity for career advancement make manufacturing an industry worth considering.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner at 320-308-5378 or email &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us.&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>313172</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:49Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Winds of Change</Title><title>2017-08-28 Winds ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-310235&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2017-08-28T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Region 7W – Stearns, Benton, Sherburne and Wright counties – has the distinction of being the fastest growing region in the state.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/082817-cen-map1_tcm1045-310236.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Map of the Economic Development Regions in Central Minnesota by County&quot; alt=&quot;Map of the Economic Development Regions in Central Minnesota by County&quot; style=&quot;width: 60%;&quot; class=&quot;photoRightNoBorder&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;082817-cen-map1&quot; /&gt;Every year DEED&apos;s Regional Analysis and Outreach unit updates the comprehensive &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/regional-lmi/central-lmi.jsp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;regional economic and demographic profiles&lt;/a&gt; for every region in the state, including Central Minnesota. Although the profiles are incredibly exciting to read, not everyone has time to breeze through 16 pages. So we&apos;ve done our best to create a regional highlight reel for Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;EDR 6E&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As the region&apos;s population continues to grow older, it also started to see declines, losing 361 people in the past year and 1,813 people since 2010. The growth from older residents was not enough to offset the losses in younger cohorts. Revised population projections from the &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/admin/demography/data-by-topic/population-data/our-projections/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Minnesota State Demographic Center&lt;/a&gt; show more of the same in the future, with the region now expected to see a -3.1 percent decline in population from 2020 to 2040, reversing a projected population increase into a decrease. The region&apos;s racial and ethnic composition remained largely unchanged from previous estimates, though there was a slightly larger number of Hispanic or Latino people, but a small loss of Black or African American residents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Keeping up with a pattern of ebb and flow, the region&apos;s labor force shrunk in 2016 after peaking just a year prior (Figure 1). Labor force projections were also revised, and the new Region 6E profile highlights a decline of more than 3,200 available workers by 2030. Although the labor force declined in the last year, the annual unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1 percent in 2015 to 4.4 percent in 2016.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/082817-cen-figure1_tcm1045-310238.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Figure of Annual Labor Force Estimates for Minnesota and Region 6E&quot; alt=&quot;Figure of Annual Labor Force Estimates for Minnesota and Region 6E&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;082817-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;On that same note, the median hourly wage across all occupations increased to $17.07, although it moved down in rankings, from the fifth to the seventh highest of the 13 economic development regions in the state. This could be a reflection of the -1.2 percent decrease in jobs in the region from 2015 to 2016. The largest decline was in manufacturing, an industry that has average annual wages nearly $15,000 higher than the average for all industries. However, the agriculture and accommodation and food services industries also saw declines in the past year. The largest gains came from the health care and social assistance industry, which added 91 net new jobs since 2015. Like covered employment, self-employment also saw a continuing downward trend, dipping to just under 8,100 nonemployer establishments in the region in 2015.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;EDR 7W&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;table border=&quot;1&quot; cellspacing=&quot;0&quot; cellpadding=&quot;0&quot; width=&quot;0&quot; title=&quot;Table 1. Race and Hispanic Origin, 2015&quot; summary=&quot;Table 1. Race and Hispanic Origin, 2015&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;thead&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th class=&quot;&quot; rowspan=&quot;1&quot; colspan=&quot;6&quot;&gt;Table 1. Race and Hispanic Origin, 2015&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th rowspan=&quot;2&quot; class=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot; colspan=&quot;3&quot; class=&quot;&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;Region 7W&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot; colspan=&quot;2&quot; class=&quot;&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;Minnesota&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;th nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot; class=&quot;&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;Number&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot; class=&quot;&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;Percent&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th class=&quot;&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Change from 2000-2015&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot; class=&quot;&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;Percent&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;th class=&quot;&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Change from 2000-2015&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/th&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/thead&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Total&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;410,908&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;100.0%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+27.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;100.0%&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;+10.2%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p&gt;White&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;382,556&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;93.1%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+23.0%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;84.8%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+4.4%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Black or African American&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;9,717&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;2.4%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+349.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;5.5%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+74.2%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p&gt;American Indian &amp;amp; Alaska Native&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;1,715&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;0.4%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+60.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;1.0%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+2.9%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Asian &amp;amp; Other Pac. Islander&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;5,781&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;1.4%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+72.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;4.5%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+68.6%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Some Other Race&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;3,408&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;0.8%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+152.3%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;1.5%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+24.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Two or More Races&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;7,731&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;1.9%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+182.1%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;2.7%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+74.3%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Hispanic or Latino origin&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;10,962&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;2.7%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+185.7%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td nowrap=&quot;nowrap&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;5.0%&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;+89.0%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan=&quot;6&quot;&gt;
&lt;p align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/searchresults.xhtml?refresh=t#none&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011-2015 American Community Survey&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Unlike Region 6E, Region 7W saw a population increase of more than 4,250 new residents in the past year and nearly 19,500 people since 2010, making it the fastest growing region in the state. The gains occurred in all four counties. Population projections were revised downward for Region 7W, but the trends remain largely positive and the region is expected to reach 457,465 residents by 2040. Less diverse than the state as a whole, Central Minnesota&apos;s racial distribution remained largely unchanged over the past year, with a 0.1 percent decrease in Whites to 93.1 percent, and increases of the same magnitude among the minority races and ethnicities from 2015 to 2016. However, all race groups were growing rapidly in the region over time (Table 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Because of the population growth, Region 7W&apos;s labor force continues to grow, albeit more slowly, increasing by just over 2,100 workers from 2015 to 2016. The projected labor force change to 2030 reflects the slower population projections as well, and was revised to just 3,400 net new workers, a 1.4 percent increase compared to previous estimates of 6 percent growth through 2025. Despite the growth, Region 7W&apos;s unemployment rate ticked up from 3.8 percent in 2015 to 4 percent in 2016.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The median hourly wage across all occupations increased to $17.48 in 2016 from $16.92 a year prior, but the region&apos;s ranking in the state fell from fourth highest to fifth out of 13. Employment growth was slightly slower than the year prior, with employers edging payrolls up by 1.5 percent since 2015, to 170,160 total jobs in 2016. Average annual wages across all industries bumped up nearly $1,100 from 2015 to 2016. Nearly identical to last year, the region saw the biggest job gains in manufacturing, retail trade, accommodation and food services, health care and social assistance, and construction. Thanks to the population and job growth, the number of nonemployers in the region also increased, continuing last year&apos;s trend.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;EDR 7E&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Region 7E saw a slight 0.6 percent population increase from 2015 to 2016, welcoming 927 net new residents. However, only Chisago, Isanti, and Mille Lacs counties gained residents, while both Pine and Kanabec counties saw population declines. Only Chisago and Isanti experienced population increases from 2010 to 2016, with the region gaining just 554 people during the past 6 years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Likewise, revisions to population projections through 2040 drastically changed the previous estimates, scaling the region&apos;s growth back to approximately 167,000 residents by 2040, instead of reaching 200,000 (Figure 2). Racial diversity remained nearly unchanged, with 94.3 percent of the population being White in 2016, and no other race or minority group comprising more than 2 percent of the population.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/082817-cen-figure2_tcm1045-310240.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Chart of Region 7E Population Projections by Age Group 2020 - 2040&quot; alt=&quot;Chart of Region 7E Population Projections by Age Group 2020 - 2040&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;082817-cen-figure2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Region 7E&apos;s labor force estimates climbed back to just over 85,500 workers in 2016 from 84,500 workers one year prior, but the region peaked at 87,166 workers in 2010. Moving forward, future estimates show a reduction of 3,200 fewer workers by 2030, a 3.8 percent decline. After a half point drop in the unemployment rate last year, the rate moved back up to 5.2 percent, finishing 1.3 percent above the state rate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The median hourly wage for all occupations in the region increased 78 cents to $17.78 in 2017, and continues to be the third highest of the 13 EDRs in the state. Although employment increased in both 2016 and 2015, the increase from 2015 to 2016 was only about half as fast as it was the year prior. Employers in Mille Lacs and Isanti counties continued to shed workers, with jobs declining by more than 1 percent. In contrast, both Chisago and Kanabec counties had huge job gains, outpacing the state&apos;s rate of growth from 2015 to 2016.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The largest job gains in the region over the past year were found in health care and social assistance, construction, and professional and technical services, though much of that was due to a reclassification from manufacturing. Over the past five years, manufacturing saw the biggest job expansion, adding more than 1,000 net new jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner at 320-308-5378 or email &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us.&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>310235</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:48Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Microbiologics: Innovation Every Day</Title><title>2017-07-31 Microbiologics ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-305143&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2017-07-31T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Advanced manufacturer offers innovative workplace culture, benefits to attract region&apos;s largely female top talent.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/080317-microbiologics1_tcm1045-305590.jpg&quot; title=&quot;080317-microbiologics1&quot; alt=&quot;080317-microbiologics1&quot; style=&quot;width: 40%;&quot; class=&quot;photoRightNoBorder&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;080317-microbiologics1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Innovation every day. That&apos;s how &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.microbiologics.com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Microbiologics&lt;/a&gt; CEO Brad Goskowicz views his company and the people he leads. &quot;If you&apos;re not reinventing better products, service, processes and more offerings, then someone else will,&quot; Goskowicz said as we walked through the most sophisticated and unique manufacturing facility I have ever seen.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Typically you can walk into a manufacturing plant and see, touch and hold some sort of product. But at Microbiologics they manufacture &quot;bugs,&quot; or bacterial and fungal microorganisms for other laboratories to use as positive test controls. This Central Minnesota company was born by leveraging a connection from another Minnesota company, and carving out a niche in the highly-specialized industry of in-vitro diagnostic substance manufacturing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Business is booming, and this industry has doubled employment statewide from 2006 to 2016. Locally, business for Microbiologics has also been on the up and up, and a new expansion is the most visible example of how being responsive to both changing customer demands and labor markets creates success. Aside from increasing manufacturing capabilities, many features of their new expansion are centered on creating a &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.microbiologics.com/our-culture&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;workplace culture&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;It includes an open workspace to enhance cross-department communication, as well as a dedicated quiet room where workers looking to remove distractions can work on comfy work chairs and replace office chatter with the serenity of a fireplace. Even the lunchroom has the intent of creating purpose and culture, fully equipped with fresh food in addition to typical vending machine offerings, and an outdoor deck so the CEO can still grill up brats for the employees. Many of the new additions are a small price to pay to maintain a steady inflow of the best and brightest.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/080317-microbiologics2_tcm1045-305587.jpg&quot; title=&quot;080317-microbiologics2&quot; alt=&quot;080317-microbiologics2&quot; style=&quot;width: 40%;&quot; class=&quot;photoLeftNoBorder&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;080317-microbiologics2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;One insight Goskowicz offered is how their family-friendly policies and benefits – highly desired by moms and potential mothers – have shaped their workforce. &quot;We hire the best applicants, and many times the women who seek employment here simply have better qualifications,&quot; Goskowicz said. Their workforce is female-dominated, whereas less than one-in-three workers across all Central Minnesota manufacturing firms are women.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For an advanced manufacturer such as Microbiologics, just keeping up means falling behind. New and improved processes and products depend on creative thinkers and meticulous workers. With so many highly technical positions needing to be staffed, the company has strengthened its outreach by partnering with local colleges including St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud Technical and Community College, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John&apos;s University to offer continuing training for Microbiologics staff, and allow college students to experience and learn from experts in the field.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In other words, interns at Microbiologics aren&apos;t fetching coffee. They own an actual project and report the findings to an executive leadership team. Interns share their experiences with other students and professors and help propel a positive and desirable reputation for Microbiologics.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Innovative products and services start with innovative talent. With an increasingly competitive labor market, employers – like Microbiologics – who focus on positive employee experiences, development, and satisfaction can gain an edge in both.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt; or 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>305143</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:48Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Our Distinguishing – and High-Paying – Industries</Title><title>2017-06-23 Industries ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-301258&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2017-06-23T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Highly-concentrated employment in making furniture, kitchen cabinets, granite countertops.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota is well known for manufacturing and food processing, but there are other industries that also make the region unique. The easiest and most common way to illustrate distinguishing industries is by calculating a &lt;a href=&quot;https://data.bls.gov/cew/doc/info/location_quotients.htm&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;location quotient&lt;/a&gt; (LQ). An LQ of 1 means there is the same employment concentration in the region as there is statewide. Anything over 1 indicates that there is over-representation, while an LQ of less than 1 means there is a lower concentration in the region than found statewide.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;According to data from DEED’s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/qcew/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Quarterly Census of Employment &amp;amp; Wages&lt;/a&gt; program, Central Minnesota’s share of employment in furniture and related product manufacturing is 2.9 times higher than what’s found statewide. This high concentration of employment in furniture and related product manufacturing – which includes kitchen cabinets – makes it a “distinguishing industry”.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Furniture and related product manufacturers in Central Minnesota reported just over 2,700 jobs in 2016, which was down from 3,480 jobs in 2000. Despite losing jobs, it has a higher location quotient now than it did then. The related nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing industry – which produces granite countertops – saw its regional share shrink over time, but is also still a distinguishing industry.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In the last decade and a half, there have been some changes to Central Minnesota’s distinguishing industries. Back in 2000, nonstore retailers – such as the now-closed Fingerhut – had the highest employment concentration in the region with an LQ of 3.08. Since then, its LQ has dropped below 1.0. Most of the distinguishing industries have held steady, though, while other industries – such as transportation equipment manufacturing and beverage manufacturing – have become more strongly concentrated in the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/062317-cen-table1_tcm1045-301259.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota&apos;s Distinguishing Industries&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota&apos;s Distinguishing Industries&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;062317-cen-table1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota benefits from having high LQs in high-paying industries. In 2016 the average annual wage across all industries in the region was $40,924, meaning 7 of the 10 distinguishing industries have higher than average annual wages. That’s good news for workers and communities across the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although a dynamic and broad economic base is important to withstand changes in business cycles and consumer preferences, the high density of jobs in these distinguishing industries has positive impacts. For instance, workers have greater mobility to change employers or occupations within their respective field, and employers benefit from having a skilled labor pool in a single area. Economies of scale can also promote investment in training initiatives, or even pooling resources among similar companies to provide training solutions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner at 320-308-5378 or email &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>301258</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:48Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Flush with Opportunities</Title><title>2017-05-31 Flush Opportunities ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-299596&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2017-05-31T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>New employment peak makes Central the largest region in Greater Minnesota. And the region is searching for workers.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota businesses are searching for workers, which is good news for job seekers, but is creating challenges for employers. With just under 273,000 jobs reported in both the second and third quarters of 2016, Central Minnesota reached a new employment peak this year, making it the largest region in Greater Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;However, employment growth slowed from a 1.8 percent increase through the first three quarters of 2015 to just 0.8 percent in 2016 – and it’s not clear why. One plausible explanation for what is causing the slowing employment growth is increasing difficulties filling job vacancies.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Job vacancy data seem to support this explanation, with employers posting about 10,000 job openings in the fourth quarter of 2016, the fifth largest amount dating back to 2001. In fact, four of the five highest vacancy counts have been posted in the past two years, with last year’s count nearly 60 percent higher than the average over the past 16 years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Even more telling is the ratio of unemployed job seekers to available job vacancies. Prior to the recession, Central Minnesota’s ratio hovered at just under 3 unemployed workers for every job opening. But as the recession began impacting the demand for goods and services, layoffs coupled with decreasing job vacancies increased the ratio to nearly 13 job seekers per vacancy. Since peaking in 2009 the ratio of job seekers per job opening has dropped to just 1.6 in 2016 (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/053117-cen-figure1_tcm1045-299593.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Job Vacancies and Unemployed&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Job Vacancies and Unemployed&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;053117-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Interestingly, the share of job vacancies in Central Minnesota requiring higher education has remained mostly constant since at least 2002. If anything, the trend appears to be an increasing share of job openings that require a high school diploma or less, versus a declining share of job vacancies requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher (Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/053117-cen-figure2_tcm1045-299594.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Educational Requirements for Central Minnesota Job Vacancies, Annual Average&quot; alt=&quot;Educational Requirements for Central Minnesota Job Vacancies, Annual Average&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;053117-cen-figure2&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In fact, there has been a higher proportion of vacancies requiring a high school diploma or less in the last three years of the survey as compared to the first three, from 2002 to 2004. An important nuance to the trends in Figure 2 is that even though the share of jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree or more is declining slightly, the actual number of jobs requiring a bachelor degree or more is higher in recent years than the historical average. Since this is the result of record numbers of job vacancies, the amount requiring a high school diploma or less is also above the historical average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact Luke Greiner at 320-308-5378 or email &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>299596</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:47Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Are College Degrees Necessary for Employment in Central Minnesota?</Title><title>2017-04-25 College Degrees ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-293952&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2017-04-25T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Over two-thirds of jobs in Central Minnesota do not require higher education for entry. Identifying specific skills – instead of degree levels – has the potential to direct students to those fields where they’re most needed.
</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota, like many regions of the state and nation, is facing a demographic shift that will have wide ranging implications in the labor market. Baby boomers are aging out of the workplace; when this is coupled with an expanding, demanding economy, many employers find that workers are in short supply. Aligning educational offerings can help businesses fill highly demanded openings, and ensure graduates are met with ample opportunities for success.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Popular narratives often suggest that our economy will need a large increase in college-educated workers to meet the employment opportunities of today and tomorrow. However, analyzing the current and projected economy tells a different story.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Thanks to a recent &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/educational-requirements-occupations/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;project&lt;/a&gt; by DEED to update and modify the list of typical education requirements for occupations in Minnesota, we now have a more accurate resource to match education levels with occupations. Using the new classifications to analyze current and future employment projections, the illustration below highlights two key points:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Over two-thirds of jobs in Central Minnesota typically do not require higher education for entry.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Future jobs in Central Minnesota will require roughly the same amount of educational attainment.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/042517-cen-figure1_tcm1045-293955.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Educational Requirements for Jobs in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Educational Requirements for Jobs in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;042517-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;What’s clear about the economy, both now and in the near future, is that most employment opportunities can at least be started without college or other types of higher education. What isn’t clear is the extent of employer-provided training needed, and how many of these skills can be fostered “in-house” for career advancement.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With so much talk about the skills gap, but relatively few jobs requiring two- or four-year college degrees, it appears that simply increasing college enrollment would be an incomplete and ineffective response. After all, 70 percent of Minnesota high school seniors already enroll in college in the fall after graduating. A better approach might be to ensure students are learning what programs have jobs waiting for them to fill, while also increasing college completion rates. Identifying specific skills rather than award levels also has the potential to direct funding and students where they’re needed most.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The low ratio of jobs requiring college doesn’t mean that college is unnecessary, or even less important in the future. In fact, jobs requiring post-secondary training such as graduate degrees or associate degrees are expected to grow the fastest in the next decade (Table 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/042517-cen-table1_tcm1045-293956.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Employment Projections&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Employment Projections&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;042517-cen-table1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Knowing the true skill and educational needs of Central Minnesota is critical to understanding how to address a labor force that will be growing much slower in the future. If they decide to take the post-secondary path, students would benefit from reading &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/publications/trends/september-2016/what-to-know.jsp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;What to Know Before You Owe&lt;/a&gt;, published in Minnesota Economic Trends (September 2016).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information on educational needs in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at 320-308-5378 or email &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>293952</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:45Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Teaching in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2017-03-24 Teaching ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-288738&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2017-03-24T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>From actual classroom teaching to educational support postions, Central Minnesota offers plenty of opportunity.
</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Teachers are some of the first professionals that youth become familiar with outside of family, so their influence on children and young adults give them a very important responsibility. For people looking to make a lasting impact in the lives of future generations, Central Minnesota has ample opportunities with over 13,500 special education, pre-school, kindergarten, elementary, middle school, and high school teaching jobs. Adding in substitute teachers, teacher assistants, adult basic education and post-secondary teachers, and the total number of teaching jobs tops 23,000!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although most young people well understand what teachers do from years of being in the classroom as students, their perceptions could be much different than the actual teaching experience. For job seekers exploring the teaching field, Central Minnesota has various types of teaching occupations that provide employment opportunities for workers with different levels of education.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The most recent &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;job vacancy data&lt;/a&gt; from the second quarter of 2016 show that Central Minnesota had 660 education, training, and library training job openings, the second largest amount in more than a decade. This shows heightened demand for educational services workers, in the following areas:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Half of the teaching job openings were for pre-school, elementary, secondary and special education occupations&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;One-third were for teacher assistants&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The remaining one-sixth of openings were for other types of teachers including post-secondary, adult basic education, substitute and self-enrichment education teachers.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Listed in descending order based on recent openings, the chart illustrates the most common positions for those interested in pursuing a teaching career; typical wages for each occupation; and normal education level needed. Although one-third of all teaching openings were for teacher assistants, which typically require a high school diploma, there is a variety of opportunities for residents looking to explore higher education before getting into the teaching field.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/032417-cen-figure1_tcm1045-288739.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Job Openings and Wages for Education and Training Occupations&quot; alt=&quot;Job Openings and Wages for Education and Training Occupations&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;032417-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information on teaching careers in Central Minnesota, contact Luke Greiner at 320-308-5378 or email &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>288738</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:45Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota Rocks</Title><title>2017-02-21 Central Minnesota Rocks ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-282230&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2017-02-21T16:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>The rocks and numerous stone manufacturers along Hwy. 23 are the result of large granite deposits in the Central region. There&apos;s also a concentration of related businesses to support the nonmetallic mining. Granite quarries have operated here since the 1880s, giving St. Cloud the nickname, &quot;Granite City.&quot;
</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;It only takes a short drive south of Saint Cloud on Highway 23 to notice the abundance of stone manufacturers. Not unlike giant headstones, hundreds of slabs of stone sit upright outside these companies; however many of the meticulously sliced stones that are arranged in and around these establishments will find new life as kitchen counters, wet bars, and table tops.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/mpes_projects/minnesota_mine_sites_and_advanced_minerals_projects_january2016.pdf&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/022117-cen-map1_tcm1045-282233.jpg&quot; title=&quot;022117-cen-map1&quot; alt=&quot;022117-cen-map1&quot; style=&quot;width: 75%;&quot; class=&quot;photoLeftNoBorder&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;022117-cen-map1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The highly visible stone manufacturers located along Highway 23 are the result of large granite deposits in the area. The short distance from the mines to the manufacturing facilities has given the area a large concentration of related businesses to support the nonmetallic mining.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;It is also the reason Saint Cloud has been dubbed “Granite City”, and why most of the dimensional stone quarries in Minnesota are owned by Coldspring (formerly Cold Spring Granite), located in the heart of Central Minnesota. In addition to three granite quarries south of Saint Cloud, a fourth granite quarry in Mille Lacs County is also located in Central Minnesota (Map 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;These rock formations provide lots of jobs in mining, manufacturing, and transportation. Through the first two quarters of 2016, Central Minnesota was home to an average of 1,148 nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing jobs, which is roughly 39 percent of Minnesota’s total employment in that subsector. It stands out because Central Minnesota has only about 10 percent of statewide jobs across all industries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Because of its link to the housing industry, nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing is sensitive to changing economic cycles. The subsector lost jobs during the 2001 recession, then built them back up until the housing bubble burst in 2007, which led to a huge 19 percent decline through 2010. Since 2013, the subsector has started steadily adding jobs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The most common job opportunities in this subsector range from cutting and slicing machine operators to production supervisors and sales representatives, though most of the jobs focus on production. These jobs require very different skill sets, and pay different wages. Median wages for the five largest occupations fall between $15 and $30 per hour. Low-end and entry-level wages are all less than $20 per hour for these occupations, but wages for workers at the top end of the pay scale are often 1.5 to 3-times higher, usually from increased experience and credentials (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/022117-cen-figure1_tcm1045-282232.jpg&quot; title=&quot;022117-cen-figure1&quot; alt=&quot;022117-cen-figure1&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;022117-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information on nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing, contact Luke Greiner at 320-308-5378 or email &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>282230</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:45Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>A Tale of Two Sales</Title><title>2017-01-24 A Tale of Two Sales ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-274648&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2017-01-24T16:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Sales offers pyramid of opportunity.
</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As one of the largest job fields available, a career in sales can provide an excellent path to success. Opportunities exist for everyone from high school students to the family breadwinner. However, for those interested in sales, it pays to understand the two sides: retail and wholesale.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Salespeople working in retail trade are much more visible since they are selling finished goods or services directly to consumers. In other words, they sell services or products like cellphones, clothes, or cars – things that people see every day while they are out shopping. They are also easier to recognize because the retail sector has nearly 6.5 times more jobs than wholesale trade.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Sales professionals who work in wholesale trade are typically selling goods and materials to other companies for use in a manufacturing process or for further retail distribution. For example, a wholesale trade salesperson might sell corn to an ethanol plant for further processing, or fasteners to a trailer manufacturer. Really, the main difference is who the salespeople are selling to, since the products and services are sometimes the same.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/012417-cen-figure1_tcm1045-274649.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Median Hourly Wage for Sales Occupations&quot; alt=&quot;Median Hourly Wage for Sales Occupations&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;012417-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Navigating to a well-paying sales career often starts with entry-level work in jobs that help individuals gain experience and learn the right mix of skills. Sales is a prime example of the pyramid of opportunity. A huge number of opportunities exist in the lower paying, less-skilled sales jobs, while those who gain additional skills, experience, and work hard can climb their way to the top. Others who aren’t a good fit typically either stay in the more numerous, lower-paying sales occupations, or move on to something else.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The chart illustrates the median hourly wage rates for different sales occupations, color-coded to where the jobs are most commonly found, either in retail or wholesale establishments. According to &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oes/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;occupational data from DEED&lt;/a&gt;, there are 23,550 retail sales jobs in Central Minnesota, with two-thirds being &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/projections/detail.asp?code=412031&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00Central%20Minnesota&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;retail salespersons&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/projections/detail.asp?code=412011&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00Central%20Minnesota&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;cashiers&lt;/a&gt;. Although less numerous, there were 3,660 sales jobs primarily found in wholesale trade in the region. Of those, 84 percent are &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/projections/detail.asp?code=414012&amp;amp;geog=2709CENT00Central%20Minnesota&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;non-technical products sales representatives&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information, contact Luke Greiner at 320-308-5378 or email &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us.&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>274648</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:45Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Running in Place: Fitness and Recreation Employment Trends</Title><title>2016-12-20 Running in Place ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-268808&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2016-12-20T16:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Jobs at fitness and recreation establishments bulge in the first and fourth quarter of each year as people recycle their resolutions to get healthy.
</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;If your New Year’s resolution involves getting in better shape, there’s a good chance that you – and many others – will frequent one of the 58 fitness establishments in Central Minnesota. However, well-intentioned resolutions sometimes fizzle before they have a chance to make a life-altering transformation. According to an &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/business/new-years-resolutions-recycled-are-a-boon-for-business.html&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;article in the New York Times&lt;/a&gt;, January provides a crucial bump for gyms as new memberships often double, while about one-third of all members turn over every year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Likewise, jobs at fitness and recreation establishments bulge in the first and fourth quarter of each year, reflecting changing needs from membership fluctuations. However, the last ten years have shown some belt tightening at these establishments. From 2000 to 2007, jobs at Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers grew by 130 percent, adding almost 500 new jobs. Of course, much like exercise benchmarks, long-term gains have eluded the industry since peaking in 2007. Employment declined through the Great Recession and much of the recovery. With 27 percent fewer jobs in 2015, Fitness and Recreation Centers would need to grow their payroll by 235 jobs to match 2007 employment levels (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/122016-cen-figure1_tcm1045-268809.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota Employment Trends&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota Employment Trends&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;122016-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Lackluster growth isn’t just limited to employment and establishments of fitness and recreation centers, as average annual wages for workers in the sector have also lagged considerably. Not only have wages in the sector not kept pace with inflation, they’ve actually declined since 2006. The largest fitness and exercise occupations are relatively low-paying, with Recreation Workers and Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors earning less than $24,000 and $26,000 in Central Minnesota, respectively, but accounting for nearly 1,300 jobs. Those positions are much more common than higher-skilled and higher-paying jobs like Athletic Trainers and Exercise Physiologists, which earn closer to $40,000 and $61,745, respectively, but have just 120 positions in Central Minnesota (Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/122016-cen-figure2_tcm1045-268810.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Employment and Median Wage for Fitness and Exercise Jobs in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Employment and Median Wage for Fitness and Exercise Jobs in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;122016-cen-figure2&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although the fitness and recreation industry has grappled with seasonal fluctuations and declining employment in the last decade, more recent data is starting to trend positive. With more than 40 new jobs created in 2015, fitness and recreation centers haven’t run out of steam yet. If the last two years of growth continue in the next four years, employment would top the previous peak of 881 jobs sometime in 2020, creating a healthier environment for everyone.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information, contact Luke Greiner at 320-308-5378 or email &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us.&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>268808</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:42Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Advancing the Home Front</Title><title>2016-11-09 Advancing the ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-262949&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2016-11-09T16:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Although veterans residing in Central Minnesota have experienced periods of higher than normal unemployment, most recent data suggests they are enjoying the expanding economy.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota is home to 49,280 military veterans, meaning nearly one-in-ten residents 18 years or older has served in the military. Pine County has the highest concentration of veterans in the region with 12.5 percent of the population 18 years or older, while 8.5 percent of Kandiyohi County adult residents have served in the military, just below Minnesota’s share statewide (8.7%).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Sometimes recognizing a veteran can be as easy as a passing glance at a license plate, a prior service cap, or possibly a USAA credit or debit card. While the physical cues can be subtle, the impact they have on the local economy is more profound.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Many veterans join the civilian labor force with extensive technical and leadership skills, allowing private and public organizations to benefit from their time in service. The skills and experiences veterans possess are boosted even further by education benefits, via tuition assistance and the G.I. Bill. Veterans can also receive employment services like training and guidance from organizations such as the VA and DEED’s Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While veterans have experienced periods of higher than normal unemployment, most recent data suggests that they are enjoying the benefits of an expanding economy. The averaged median income of veterans in central Minnesota counties was $35,808 in 2014, compared to $29,574 for all civilians 18 years and older. Median income advantages for veterans range from $3,689 in Isanti County to $10,216 more for veterans in Kanabec County.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although the most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have added to the number of veterans in Central Minnesota, the bulk of veterans served during the Vietnam era.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Open the map and hover to see demographic and income statistics for veterans. Select one or more counties to find out when veterans served who reside in your county. (Hold Ctrl to make multiple selections.)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/110916-cen-map_tcm1045-262950.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Click to open&quot; alt=&quot;Click to open&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;110916-cen-map&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For more information, contact Luke Greiner at 320-308-5378 or email &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us.&quot;&gt;Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>262949</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:41Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Advancing the Global Economy with Advanced Manufacturing</Title><title>2016-10-13 Global Economy ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-259952&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2016-10-13T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Central Minnesota manufacturers produce everything from poultry to precision parts.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Manufacturers in Central Minnesota produce everything from poultry to precision parts, however a cluster of manufacturing sectors collectively known as “advanced manufacturing” is special to Central Minnesota’s manufacturing community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Advanced manufacturing includes sub-sectors such as fabricated metal products, machinery, computer and electronic products, electrical equipment, appliance, and components, transportation equipment and miscellaneous manufacturing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although food manufacturing is the largest sub-sector in the region, when the sub-sectors within advanced manufacturing are combined, employment reaches 18,824 jobs – more the double the employment found in food manufacturing. Advanced manufacturing not only has a large number of jobs (45 percent of all manufacturing jobs in the region), but the sector is growing faster than manufacturing in general.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In the last year, Central Minnesota’s job growth across all industries amounted to 1.7 percent, while manufacturing grew by 2.3 percent, and advanced manufacturing growth was 2.5 percent from 2014 to 2015. Half of all new jobs in manufacturing over the last year were due to advanced manufacturing companies expanding their payrolls.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Average annual wages for advanced manufacturing were $53,442 in 2015, up 5.7 percent from 2014. In comparison the average annual wage for all industries in Central Minnesota was just under $40,000 while manufacturing jobs averaged a little more than $50,000 (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/central-figure1-correct_tcm1045-259194.png&quot; title=&quot;Average Annual Wages in Central Minnesota, 2015&quot; alt=&quot;Average Annual Wages in Central Minnesota, 2015&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;2016-10-05-central-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In the second quarter of 2016, manufacturers reported 839 job openings, up from 610 openings reported during the second quarter of the previous year. The median wage offer for job vacancies was nearly the same at $15 per hour. Only 3 percent of manufacturing openings in the region were posted as part-time, while 37 percent required education beyond a high school diploma/GED, and 48 percent required at least one or more years of experience.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Typical occupations found in advanced manufacturing facilities include team assemblers, machinists, welders, CNC operators, and industrial, mechanical and electrical engineers. These occupations are not exclusive to advanced manufacturing, however, and are also found in a variety of other sectors of manufacturing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Figure 2 (below) illustrates the large range of hourly wages that can be earned by common occupations in advanced manufacturing. With roughly 2,200 jobs apiece, team assemblers and welders are the most numerous occupations in Central Minnesota, with wages ranging between $12 and $25 per hour. There are 440 mechanical engineers in Central Minnesota, with a median hourly wage of $33.46, and the top 10 percent earning $81.23 or more per hour.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/central-figure2_tcm1045-259196.png&quot; title=&quot;Typical Advanced Manufacturing Occupations in Central Minnesota, Q1 2016&quot; alt=&quot;Typical Advanced Manufacturing Occupations in Central Minnesota, Q1 2016&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;2016-10-05-central-figure2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While the global economy leans on advanced manufacturing to produce everything from buses and trailers to stainless steel tanks used in breweries and dairies, Central Minnesota can count on this sector to provide ample job opportunities with excellent wages.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>259952</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:41Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Emergency Medical Technicians to the Rescue</Title><title>2016-09-28 EMT ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-260162&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2016-09-28T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Interested in a career in the medical and health-related fields? Consider the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) occupation as a starting point.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Recently I was talking with high school students in St. Cloud about how to capitalize on the increasing amount of data available to guide education and career decisions, when a young man approached me with questions about becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). However, the student saw the EMT job not as an ending point, but rather the beginning of his journey through various medical occupations and training with the eventual goal of becoming a doctor. His view on career progression was refreshing; while many people change jobs, often it is not strategic or part of a plan.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) occupation provides an excellent starting point for people who are considering a career in the medical and health-related fields. Becoming an EMT is as simple as completing a course approved by the &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/boards/emsrb/educational/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board&lt;/a&gt;, then passing a written and practical exam. EMT courses are frequently offered during evening and weekend hours to increase accessibility for those already working.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Many organizations provide EMT courses along with first responder – or Emergency Medical Response (EMR) and paramedic – training under the broader Emergency Medical Services (EMS) umbrella. The suite of EMS certifications, including EMT, has a two-fold social benefit. Aside from the obvious value of providing life-saving training for residents of the region, people interested in health care experience providing direct care with a relatively small investment of time and money to become certified.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Unlike many other health care occupations, colleges aren’t the only place you can find approved EMT training. Each dot on the map in Figure 1 represents the location of one or more approved organizations that provide EMT training (hover over the dot to find the name of the organization and the zip code of their location).&lt;/p&gt;
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                    var divElement = document.getElementById(&apos;viz1502743781430&apos;);                    var vizElement = divElement.getElementsByTagName(&apos;object&apos;)[0];                    vizElement.style.width=&apos;804px&apos;;vizElement.style.height=&apos;869px&apos;;                    var scriptElement = document.createElement(&apos;script&apos;);                    scriptElement.src = &apos;https://public.tableau.com/javascripts/api/viz_v1.js&apos;;                    vizElement.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, vizElement);                &lt;/script&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>260162</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:41Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Keeping Up with the Kids: Day Care Spotlight</Title><title>2016-08-31 Day Care ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-255118&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2016-08-31T19:23:55Z</Date><ShortDescription>This is a look at trends in the child day care services industry in Central Minnesota.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Day care providers offer safe, active environments for the children of thousands of working parents in Central Minnesota every day. Their work also has a broader economic impact: The availability of child care can affect labor force participation among new parents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Roughly one-third of households in Central Minnesota have children under 18 years old, and nearly 36,000 households have at least one child under 6 years of age. That translates into over 174,000 children under the age of 18 – including about 55,000 under age 6, according to Census data.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In addition to stay-at-home parents, grandparents and other guardians, these children are cared for by a network of over 1,425 workers at 126 child day care establishments and 2,519 self-employed day care providers (also known as nonemployers) in the 13-county region. Classified as child day care services, these establishments help care for and educate children – the future labor force – while their parents are working.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While the number of children under 18 has increased in Central Minnesota by less than 1 percent, the number of children under the age of 6 declined by 4.6 percent from 2009 to 2014. Similarly, statewide, Minnesota saw a 1.4 percent increase in children under 18 years, but a decline of 0.5 percent in children under 6 during the same time. Meanwhile, the number of day care workers has declined during the past decade – at an even faster rate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;After peaking at 3,212 in the year 2000, the number of self-employed day care providers over the last decade has declined. From 2005 to 2014, nonemployer child day care establishments dropped 21.3 percent, with 680 fewer options for families. During the same period, child day care services with paid employees saw a modest increase of 6.7 percent, based on 90 additional jobs (see Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/083116-cen-figure1_tcm1045-254747.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Child Day Care Services Employment Trends in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Child Day Care Services Employment Trends in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;083116-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although the employment trend has been declining among child day care businesses without paid employees and only increasing slowly for establishments with paid employees, the industry still presents opportunities for job seekers and entrepreneurs in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Child care workers are the most common occupation in child day care services, representing 35.8 percent of all jobs in the industry. At just $20,644 in 2016, the annual median wage is well below the cost of living for a single worker with no children in Central Minnesota, according to DEED’s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/col/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Cost of Living&lt;/a&gt; tool. However, the occupation provides opportunities for people who are new to the labor force and who might need experience more than a living wage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Other occupations such as teacher assistants and child care center administrators have much higher wages. But those positions require more training and are less numerous, accounting for only 13.3 percent and 3.8 percent of jobs in the industry, respectively. Likewise, preschool teachers earn higher wages, but also typically require a college degree (see Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/083116-cen-figure2_tcm1045-254748.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Median Wages and Share of Employment for Most Common Child Day Care Services Occupations&quot; alt=&quot;Median Wages and Share of Employment for Most Common Child Day Care Services Occupations&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;083116-cen-figure2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While entry-level jobs in the child day care services industry pay relatively low wages, nevertheless, the impact these workers have on Central Minnesota’s economy is high. Each child day care establishment – whether in a home or at a facility – provides the opportunity for others to work.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>255118</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:40Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Entry Level Demand</Title><title>2016-07-01 Entry Level Demand ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-250962&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2016-07-01T19:23:55Z</Date><ShortDescription>Employers expect basic skills starting with new hires.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;July 2016 - It’s that time of the year when DEED’s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oid/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Occupations in Demand&lt;/a&gt; (OID) tool is updated to provide the most current look at the hottest jobs across the state. Since the new OID listings were just published, it is an opportune time to highlight Central Minnesota’s most needed jobs. The demand for labor over the past year certainly hasn’t eased, but weakness in certain industries from changing global commodity prices are reflected in the updated list.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Occupations in Demand tool provides an excellent view into the needs of local employers. Looking through the data for Central Minnesota, it’s clear that regional employers are in need of entry-level workers, which comprise over half of the region’s top ten occupations in the highest demand.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Despite the entry-level nature of these jobs, employers consistently tell us that these new-to-the-labor force workers need to be ready with fundamental skills, such as showing up to work (on time), getting along with co-workers, and following directions. These basic skills are developed and transformed at entry-level jobs into more complex skills like managing workflow, addressing workplace conflicts, and improving processes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Unlike the board game Monopoly, however, there is no “Pass Go and Collect $200” in the workforce. Employers need new workers to learn and hold basic skills before investing and upskilling them to a higher position. Working at entry-level jobs while in high school or college provides workers with an excellent introduction to the workforce and allows their soft skills to progress with academic skills.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although many new workers are shaped and polished at an entry-level job, they still need basic problem solving and soft skills to get the job. Educational institutions should take note of the demand of entry-level jobs in the region and creatively address how to grow soft skills in the classroom worthy of passing off to an employer for further development.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A list of entry-level jobs in the highest demand in Central Minnesota is included in the table below. The importance of these entry-level jobs should be recognized as a pillar of workforce development.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/071416_cen_table1_tcm1045-250735.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Highly Demanded Entry Level Occupations in Central Minnesota&quot; alt=&quot;Highly Demanded Entry Level Occupations in Central Minnesota&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;071416-cen-table1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>250962</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:39Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Places 2 Go</Title><title>2016-06-01 Places 2 Go ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-250964&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2016-06-01T19:29:28Z</Date><ShortDescription>230 bus drivers provide vital support for one percent.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;June 2016 - Moving people from home to work locations can be as simple as hopping into a car for a short drive to work; or as complicated as waking up early to get to a bus station, then changing routes multiple times before even arriving to work.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While most workers transport themselves to work privately, workers eager to use public transportation in many rural regions of the state and country often find themselves up a creek. Economy of scale and low population density work in conjunction to hamper the expansion of public and private transit networks and increase its cost in rural areas like much of Central Minnesota. Statewide, 3.5 percent of workers use public transit to get to work; while less than 1 percent of workers use public transit in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although public transit is open for all workers to use, data from the American Community Survey show that the largest share of workers using public transportation in Central Minnesota have limited income. Roughly 40 percent of workers using Central Minnesota’s public transportation network to get to work earn less than $10,000 annually. The high share of workers with low incomes using public transportation in Central Minnesota makes sense since many of those riding buses to work are doing so out of necessity (Table 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; alt=&quot;Means of Transportation to Work by Earnings, Central Minnesota&quot; title=&quot;Means of Transportation to Work by Earnings, Central Minnesota&quot; src=&quot;/deed/assets/061616_cen_table1_tcm1045-246978.jpg&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;061616-cen-table1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Interestingly, data also shows that minority workers are over-represented in their use of public transit ridership for work compared to whites. Almost 6 percent of all workers in Central Minnesota are minority groups, yet 15 percent of workers using public transit identify as non-white.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Transit and intercity bus drivers operate many of the public and private buses in Central Minnesota. Although there are only 230 transit bus drivers in Central Minnesota, the function they perform is critical for many workers to maintain employment. In fact, the largest expense identified by DEED’s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/col/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Cost of Living&lt;/a&gt; tool is transportation/car ownership, ranging from $725 to $1,164 per month for a typical Minnesota family in the 13 counties of Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;That cost is too high for many workers in the lowest income categories, which ironically could even include some bus drivers, as well as taxi drivers and chauffeurs. As shown in Figure 1, taxi drivers earned median wages below $10.00 per hour in 2016, as did driver/sales workers. Median wages were higher for bus drivers, both transit and school, ranging from $14.08 to $15.44 per hour in Central Minnesota, respectively. However, that means half of the bus drivers in the region were earning less than $15 per hour, which is close to the basic needs cost of living in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; alt=&quot;Median Hourly Wage for Drivers in Central Minnesota&quot; title=&quot;Median Hourly Wage for Drivers in Central Minnesota&quot; src=&quot;/deed/assets/061616_cen_figure1_tcm1045-246980.jpg&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;061616-cen-figure1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The competition for bus drivers is already fierce, and the qualifications required narrow the available labor pool even further. Jobs for bus drivers are projected to increase by 14.7 percent in the next decade according to DEED’s Employment Projections, much faster than the growth of all occupations in the region. The increase in transit and intercity bus drivers is being pushed higher by an aging and increasingly diverse population that will continue to rely on passenger transportation as driving themselves becomes more problematic.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Demographic data of public transportation taken from the &lt;em&gt;U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table S0802. Means of Transportation to Work by Selected Characteristics.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>250964</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:39Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Refreshing Data</Title><title>2016-05-02 Refreshing ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303816&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2016-05-02T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>OES receives a breath of fresh data.
</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Just like a jump in the lake in May is refreshing, DEED’s &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oes/&quot;&gt;Occupational Employment Statistics&lt;/a&gt; (OES) got a breath of fresh data this month and is now current through the first quarter of 2016! Known in the past as the Minnesota Salary Survey, the OES program has been the principle source of wage data for over 30 years, providing employment estimates and wages for selected occupations in the state and local regions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The OES data covers roughly 800 identified occupations, providing a range of wages from the 10th to the 90th percentile, including the mean and median; as well as wage and employment estimates for the same occupation across different industries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;One of the most interesting aspects of the wage data are the variations found within different industries. For instance, the table below illustrates employment and wages for secretaries working in different industries within Central Minnesota. With 40 percent of all secretary jobs in Central Minnesota, the largest amount of secretary jobs is found in the education and health services industry with 1,410 jobs. However, the highest median wages are found in the construction industry at $20.16 per hour.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; alt=&quot;052016-cen-table1&quot; title=&quot;052016-cen-table1&quot; src=&quot;/deed/assets/052016-cen-table1_tcm1045-242213.jpg&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;052016-cen-table1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Both employment and wages work together to describe opportunities for job seekers. High wages combined with many jobs is a great avenue for success. In other cases, very high wages with low employment might not offer the same amount of opportunity and job openings could be scarce, but the wage premium could be worth the risk.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For businesses, using OES data is possibly even more important. Business both provide the data and become core consumers of the results. A business in the professional and business services industry can size up the competition for secretaries (using the previous data example) to develop a strategy or policy for recruitment and retention. They may need to raise wages to compete for secretaries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;DEED provides OES data at a regional level so comparisons can be made between different geographic areas of the state. As of the first quarter of this year the median hourly wage across Minnesota was $18.88 per hour, while the median wage in Central Minnesota was $16.90. The median wage for all occupations in Central Minnesota is about 12 percent lower than the state, but 23 percent less than its largest competing labor market, the Twin Cities (see Table 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; alt=&quot;052016-cen-table2&quot; title=&quot;052016-cen-table2&quot; src=&quot;/deed/assets/052016-cen-table2_tcm1045-242214.jpg&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;052016-cen-table2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To view wage and employment data, go to &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/OesSelect.aspx&quot;&gt;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/oes/OesSelect.aspx&lt;/a&gt;. Simply select your desired geography (*hint, use the map if you’re unfamiliar with the defined regions) and then enter a job title and click “Find”; or select general occupations from the occupational list or view more detailed occupations within a category to fine tune your selection.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As shown below, results are displayed in a simple table with percentile wage breakdowns for both your selected region, but also Minnesota, and the United States. The occupational detail page also contains the wage and employment estimates by industry and for other regions in the state.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; alt=&quot;052016-cen-table3&quot; title=&quot;052016-cen-table3&quot; src=&quot;/deed/assets/052016-cen-table3_tcm1045-242215.jpg&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;052016-cen-table3&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Now that you know, go start exploring DEED’s &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oes/&quot;&gt;Occupational Employment Statistics&lt;/a&gt;!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:luke.greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303816</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:39Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota Geek Out</Title><title>2016-04-01 Geek Out ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303812&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2016-04-01T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Computers offer strong career start.
</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;There was a time when I thought my path to success involved pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer and information science. After a semester’s worth of classes I realized that I wasn’t enjoying the educational or career path I was in. While learning a new language (Java) and applying myself the way I &lt;em&gt;should have&lt;/em&gt; during Spanish classes in high school was very rewarding, it just wasn’t a good fit for me.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;I changed paths and found my way to a different career, but looking at DEED’s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/graduate-employment-outcomes/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Graduate Employment Outcomes&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oes/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Occupational Employment Statistics&lt;/a&gt; reminds me of one of the reasons I was attracted to computer sciences in the first place. It’s clear that success in computer-related occupations isn’t limited to Silicon Valley (Table 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; alt=&quot;041316_cen_table1&quot; title=&quot;041316_cen_table1&quot; src=&quot;/deed/assets/041316_cen_table1_tcm1045-226305.jpg&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;041316_cen_table1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The outcomes for Minnesota students who graduated from a computer and information sciences educational program include higher median annual wages than what is typical for other graduates in Minnesota at every award level. Just two years after graduating, median annual wages for computer and information sciences graduates ranged from just over $41,000 per year at the associate degree level to more than $80,000 for graduate-level programs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;One interesting detail is the higher median wage earned by certificate graduates versus the comparable associate degree. Although more education often provides higher wages for graduates within the same program, the broad computer and information sciences and support services educational program yields exceptional results for certificate completers. Factors such as prior work experience and specific technical skills gained through higher education can also boost wages for recent graduates.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The most common computer-related occupation in Central Minnesota is computer user support specialists, with 820 jobs that pay a median hourly wage of $20.99 per hour. Job options don’t stop there, with a variety of occupations that all pay a healthy wage, ranging all the way up to $41.92 per hour for systems software developers (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; alt=&quot;041316_cen_figure1&quot; title=&quot;041316_cen_figure1&quot; src=&quot;/deed/assets/041316_cen_figure1_tcm1045-226306.jpg&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;041316_cen_figure1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Unless you’re convinced computer technology is a fad that will go the way of eight-track tapes and flip-phones, data show that computer-related occupations are an excellent path to economic success in Central Minnesota. Current projections estimate that computer-related occupations will grow 10 percent in Central Minnesota, a growth rate exceeded only by the Twin Cities (10.7 percent).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303812</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:37Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>High Skill, High Demand</Title><title>2016-03-15 High Skill ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303813&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2016-03-15T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Skills and education match-making.
</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In the face of a tightening labor market, it’s important to know the skill requirements that employers are reporting, especially those that require postsecondary education. According to DEED’s Occupations in Demand tool, &lt;strong&gt;46 percent&lt;/strong&gt; of the occupations most in demand in Central Minnesota require education beyond high school.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Higher education not only opens the door to a larger variety of careers, it also allows access to some of the highest paying jobs in the region. If there aren’t enough workers graduating with in-demand skill sets in these job openings, they become more difficult to fill, which can lead starting wages to increase.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The largest industries shape what occupations are in demand in Central Minnesota, which includes Regions 7E, 7W, and 6E combined (see map of Central Minnesota Regions). Health care and social assistance industry is the largest industry, providing 18.2 percent of all jobs. Manufacturing – with about 15.4 percent of total employment – is close behind.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/high-skill1_tcm1045-222449.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Central MN regions&quot; alt=&quot;Central MN regions&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;high-skill1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This industry mix is evident when looking at the top ten occupations in demand that require education beyond a high school diploma. The table below is a sample of a much larger list of Occupations in Demand in the region, focusing just on those that have at least a postsecondary non-degree award as the minimum education required to get started in the career.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/high-skill2_tcm1045-222450.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Top 10 Occupations in Demand requiring higher education&quot; alt=&quot;Top 10 Occupations in Demand requiring higher education&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;high-skill2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Most of these occupations, especially those requiring an associate degree, bachelor’s degree or higher, have high wages in Central Minnesota. While higher education can increase the earning potential for workers, the maximum return on investment occurs when newly minted skills are aligned with the job market. A mutual benefit results when a highly skilled worker attains a position in a high demand occupation: The employer staffs a difficult-to-fill position, while the employee likely benefits from a wage advantage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Aligning local education programs with the needs of regional employers gives students the tools to succeed in their local economy. In addition to our market research, DEED’s Occupations in Demand tool provides insight to the skills most in demand in the regions. Even high schools can benefit from offering and aligning coursework that complements local higher education programs that track with the regional economy. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303813</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:37Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Personal Care Aides Lend a Helping Hand</Title><title>2016-02-18 PCA ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303814&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2016-02-18T16:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Wanted: thousands of hands.
</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The largest occupation within the health care and social assistance industry in Minnesota is the Personal Care Aide, with more than 60,450 workers statewide. In Central Minnesota there are an estimated 7,540 personal care aide jobs. For many job seekers interested in providing direct care, becoming a personal care aide (PCA) is a great place to start.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For job seekers new to the workforce, a PCA position is not only readily available, it’s also easily attainable. With few entrance requirements preventing new workers from securing a personal care aide job, the occupation provides a great opportunity to gain experience and knowledge about health care careers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;According to DEED’s &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt; tool there were 229 job openings in Central Minnesota during the second quarter of 2015, while results from the 4th quarter of 2014 found 543 job openings. Between 77 and 87 percent of these recent personal care aide openings were part-time. The typically flexible shift schedules and numerous part-time opportunities provide excellent pathways for workers to test the water in direct patient care, and many personal care aide positions are filled by students, both high school and those in higher education.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;DEED’s most recent &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt; data provides a closer look at PCA openings in Central Minnesota:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;More than three-quarters&lt;/strong&gt; of PCA openings are part-time&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Only &lt;strong&gt;3%&lt;/strong&gt; of openings are temporary or seasonal&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;98%&lt;/strong&gt; of openings don’t require education beyond high school&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;86%&lt;/strong&gt; of openings require less than a year of work experience&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;7 out of 8&lt;/strong&gt; don’t require any license or certification&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While PCA jobs offer the chance to explore the health care industry, job seekers shouldn’t expect to get rich in this entry-level occupation. The &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt; data pegs the typical starting wage for PCAs in Central Minnesota at $10.27 per hour, about $1.00 less than the typical starting wage across all occupations. Table 1 illustrates the relatively flat earning potential of personal care aide jobs. The bottom 10 percent of PCA jobs in Central Minnesota pay $9.42 per hour, while the top 10 percent pay $13.71 or more, with most PCAs earning between $10.05 and $11.80 per hour.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/pcas_tcm1045-222453.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Personal Care Aide wages in Central MN&quot; alt=&quot;Personal Care Aide wages in Central MN&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;pcas&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The demand for personal care aides will continue for at least the next decade, with the occupation projected to have the fastest growth in the state occurring in Central Minnesota (+59.1% compared to +44.7% statewide). According to DEED’s &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/employment-outlook/index.jsp&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Employment Outlook&lt;/a&gt;, Central Minnesota is projected to have over 3,500 personal care aide job openings from 2012-2022.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303814</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:37Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Eyeing a Career in Beauty</Title><title>2016-01-14 Beauty ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303810&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2016-01-14T16:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription> Looking for a shortcut into a cosmetology career? Don&apos;t!
</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/&quot;&gt;Cosmetologists in Minnesota&lt;/a&gt; are required to complete a 1,550 hour training program and pass a practical, general, and state law exam before becoming &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;http://mn.gov/elicense/a-z/?id=1083-230946#/list/appId//filterType//filterValue//page/1/sort//order/&quot;&gt;licensed&lt;/a&gt; - that may surprise job seekers and students looking for a shortcut into a new career.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Because of these &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/elicense/a-z/?id=1083-230946#/list/appId//filterType//filterValue//page/1/sort//order/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;licensing requirements&lt;/a&gt;, cosmetology is the largest certificate program in the state of Minnesota, averaging about 1,600 graduates per year. Many graduates quickly find jobs, though about 85 percent of them are part-time. While that may seem high, many people choose a career in cosmetology because of the flexibility. Alternative work shifts and part-time schedules allow many cosmetologists to enjoy a work-life balance that may not be as attainable with a typical 9-to-5 job.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In fact, there are more than &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/projections/detail.asp?code=395012andgeog=2701000000&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;10,000 hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Minnesota&lt;/a&gt;, and this popular career has about &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/projections/detail.asp?code=395012andgeog=2709CENT00&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;1,000 jobs in Central Minnesota&lt;/a&gt;, the second largest concentration outside of the Twin Cities metro area. In addition, there were also 11,360 self-employed cosmetologists statewide, including 1,360 self-employed cosmetologists in the 13-county Central Minnesota region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Overall, hourly wage rates for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists ranged from $7.95 to $16.11 in Central Minnesota, with 50 percent of cosmetologists earning between $8.55 and $11.66 per hour. Because of the opportunity to earn tips, there is wiggle room to make more.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Data from DEED&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/graduate-employment-outcomes/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Graduate Employment Outlook&lt;/a&gt; (GEO) tool shows that median hourly wages for recent graduates from cosmetology and related personal grooming programs rose to $11.09, and wages have shown a steady rate of increase over time. Graduates in those programs from four years ago saw their wages climb from $11.09 to $13.94 per hour, a 26 percent growth. GEO data also show that graduates of cosmetology programs that find full-time, year-round work earned about $31,000 by their fourth year. However, only about one-fourth of those graduates attained full-time, year-round employment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;With such a high concentration of part-time employment, it is interesting to see that 56 percent of the &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;105 cosmetology job openings&lt;/a&gt; in Central Minnesota in the second quarter of 2015 were full-time, suggesting that employers may be looking for more help to meet current demand. However, the median wage offer for these jobs was just $8.53, suggesting that it may be a challenge to recruit - and more importantly, retain - these new workers over time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To that end, employers in hair, skin, and nail care services in Central Minnesota ended 2014 with the same amount of jobs it had in 2004, despite some ups and downs. Employers were expanding until 2008, then experienced cuts during the recession in 2009 and 2010, and the industry has not seen a full recovery yet. The continued decline and recent &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Job Vacancy Survey results&lt;/a&gt; may mean that employers are now trying to fill what used to be part-time jobs with full-time jobs (Figure 1).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/beauty-careers1_tcm1045-222440.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Central MN employment in hair, skin, and nail care services, 2004 - 2014&quot; alt=&quot;Central MN employment in hair, skin, and nail care services, 2004 - 2014&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;beauty-careers1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In contrast, self-employment in hair, skin, and nail care services was seeing steady growth in the region regardless of the economy. In fact, by 2009, there were more cosmetologists working for themselves than at employer establishments. Self-employment appears to be an increasingly popular option, after rising 31 percent over the past decade. Average sales receipts at these self-employed hair, skin, and nail care services were $25,270 in 2013.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Due to the region&apos;s population growth, Central Minnesota is expected to see fast growth for cosmetologists in the next decade as well. The additional 570 job openings for cosmetologists in the region include 180 net new jobs from employment growth, as well as 390 replacement openings to refill existing jobs that become available when current workers retire, change careers, or become self-employed (Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/beauty-careers2_tcm1045-222441.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists employment projections, 2012 - 2022&quot; alt=&quot;Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists employment projections, 2012 - 2022&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;beauty-careers2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Overall, the data show that careers in cosmetology are in demand now and should continue to provide numerous job opportunities in the future, though many of the jobs may be part-time and start at relatively low wages. Job seekers and students can use this data to inform their career choices and help them determine if cosmetology will meet their expectations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;If you&apos;re ready for a career updo, Central Minnesota has three institutions that offer cosmetologist programs. The total costs are for the 2015 school year and include tuition, books, kits, and taxes. Room and board and typical living expenses, such as food and clothing, are not included:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Regency Beauty Institute in St. Cloud, $18,825&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://mcohd.com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Model College of Hair Design&lt;/a&gt; in St. Cloud, $16,915&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Ridgewater College in Willmar, $13,467&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303810</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:37Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Part-Time Openings in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2015-12-15 PT Openings ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303683&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2015-12-15T16:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Jobs that provide flexible work opportunities.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Part-time jobs (fewer than 35 hours per week) can provide flexible work opportunities benefiting both employers and job seekers. While most workers consider full-time jobs the benchmark of employment, changes occurring in our demographics and society are shifting the perception and pursuit of part-time work. For example:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Baby boomers aging out of the workforce and transitioning into retirement might see part-time work as an opportunity to stay connected with a &quot;work-family,&quot; as well as a way to supplement their retirement income.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;New families beginning the journey of raising children can use part-time jobs to provide the flexibility and income to give their family more time and attention.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Employers dealing with some of the lowest unemployment rates in years can benefit from offering part-time jobs, capturing productivity of workers that might otherwise exit the labor force if no part-time opportunities were found.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In the second quarter of 2015, about 58 percent of job openings in Central Minnesota were part-time, a large increase over last year when only 35 percent of openings were part-time. With about 7,000 part-time job openings in the region this year, there was roughly twice as many part-time job openings compared to the highest amount previously recorded, back in 2006. However, not all occupations have the same opportunities to work part-time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Using DEED&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt; we can see what types of jobs are most likely to offer part-time openings in Central Minnesota. In the 2nd quarter of 2015, the highest share of openings that were part-time were found in the protective service occupational group where 90 percent were part-time (Figure 1). Protective service primarily includes occupations such as security guards, and lifeguards and other recreational workers, but also includes firefighters and police officers. The lowest share of part-time openings were found in the computer and mathematical occupational group, where only 1 percent of the jobs were part-time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/part-time1_tcm1045-222451.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Share of total openings in Central MN that are part-time, 2nd quarter 2015&quot; alt=&quot;Share of total openings in Central MN that are part-time, 2nd quarter 2015&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;part-time1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Looking at the amount of part-time openings instead of the percent of all openings provides a different perspective that is also useful. Although protective services had the largest share of openings being part-time, they have just the ninth highest number of openings.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The largest amount of part-time openings was actually found in food preparation and serving, with 1,803 openings; followed by sales and related with 1,510 part-time vacancies. The region also had lots of part-time openings in personal care and service, health care, transportation and material moving, building and grounds cleaning, and office support. Data show that median wage offers were between $8.00 and $12.00 per hour for many of these occupations. The occupational group with the lowest number of part-time openings was computer and mathematical occupations, with only one part-time opening out of 99 total vacancies (Figure 2).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/part-time2_tcm1045-222452.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Number of part-time openings in Central MN, 2nd quarter 2015&quot; alt=&quot;Number of part-time openings in Central MN, 2nd quarter 2015&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;part-time2&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Part-time jobs are just one of the many options employers and job seekers can use to find a suitable work arrangement.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303683</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:32Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>The Commuting Conundrum</Title><title>2015-11-30 Commuting ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303684&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2015-11-30T16:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Your commute costs more than you realize.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Most of us don&apos;t live in the same place that we work, so every morning we wake up extra early, shuffle out the door, and settle into our car for the daily routine. This routine could include stopping for breakfast or coffee to go, dropping off kids at daycare or school, or topping off the gas tank.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Like most of greater Minnesota, the Central region is a net labor exporter - having more workers than jobs - but is not home to an extensive public transportation network, so many workers drive far distances for their jobs. For a few years I even found myself being a long distance commuter, one of the nearly 34,000 workers in Central Minnesota driving more than 60 minutes to a job EACH WAY! (See Map)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/commuting1_tcm1045-222445.jpg&quot; title=&quot;Amount and share of workers driving 60 minutes or more one way to a job&quot; alt=&quot;Amount and share of workers driving 60 minutes or more one way to a job&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;commuting1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The long commute times in Central Minnesota are due to the proximity to the Twin Cities economy - nearly one-in-five (19.1%) workers in the Central region travel to Hennepin County alone! Wright County is home to the largest amount of road warriors, with almost 7,000 people spending two hours or more driving to and from their job, while Sherburne County nearly matches that amount with about 6,800 long-distance commuters. The St. Cloud MSA (Stearns and Benton County) contributes another 5,500 workers driving more than an hour each way.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although the four counties in Central Minnesota that border Interstate 94 contribute the largest amount of long distance commuters, the largest share of workers driving 60 minutes or more is found along the northern fringe of the Twin Cities. Almost one-in-five workers living in Kanabec County drive 60 minutes or more, while Isanti and Pine Counties also have more than one-in-six residents driving 60 minutes or more one way for work.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Put it on my Tab&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Some costs of long distance commuting are easily measurable, like gas and vehicle maintenance, while others are impossible to assign value to; such as lost family time or how time spent sitting in traffic raises stress levels. Either way, there are significant costs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A simple analysis can help demonstrate how much long commutes cost in monetary terms. In 2015, the IRS standard mileage reimbursement rate is 57.5 cents per mile*, representing the cost to drive per mile. For easy figuring we&apos;ll use a commute distance of roughly 33 miles one way since the national average commute speed by private vehicle was 33.2 miles per hour**. For about 34,000 workers in Central Minnesota, this represents the amount of time and miles they spend driving to their job, especially those commuting into the Twin Cities. However, many folks commuting on Interstate 94 or U.S. Highway 169 could travel considerably further than 33 miles one way. Let&apos;s take a look at what it costs to commute an hour each way, or two hours each day.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;(33 miles x $.575 cents per mile) x 2 (to and from work) = $38 per day, or $9,500 per year***&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Based on IRS reimbursement rates, we know it costs roughly $9,500 per year to commute 60 minutes one way to work, which is a significant amount of money. However, unless you are able to work from home there is typically a cost to commute even short distances. We need to take into consideration what an average commute currently costs. The table below illustrates the additional cost and time spent commuting 60 minutes or more compared to the county average commute times. For example, the average worker in Benton County spends about $3,500 per year on commuting costs, a savings of $6,000 compared to workers driving an hour each way.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/commuting2_tcm1045-222446.png&quot; title=&quot;Average commute costs&quot; alt=&quot;Average commute costs&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;commuting2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The table also shows the additional hours spent commuting. For many, the higher cost is the time away from family, friends, and hobbies. This time spent commuting is much harder to put a monetary value on. For example, long distance commuters from Kandiyohi County who drive at least 60 minutes one way spend an additional 354 hours per year getting to and from work over the average worker, the equivalent of almost nine (9) 40-hour work weeks!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The Take Away&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Workers with long-distance commutes may want to look at saving money and time by reducing their travel times. While commuting an hour or more to your job might be necessary if a similar job isn&apos;t available locally, knowing the true cost of commuting might change your mind on what you want or need.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;*The standard mileage rate is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile, including depreciation, insurance, repairs, tires, maintenance, gas and oil.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;**&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/2010cpr/execsum.cfm&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;2010 Conditions and Performance - Policy&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;***Yearly cost differences based on 250 work days, (5 work days * 52 weeks) - 2 weeks vacation (10 days) = 250 days&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303684</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:32Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Going, Growing, and No Signs of Slowing</Title><title>2015-10-20 Going, Growing ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303687&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2015-10-20T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Growing, no signs of slowing.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Manufacturing continues to be a powerful economic engine in central Minnesota, driving profits, prosperity and job growth.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In the past year alone, manufacturers added nearly 1,300 new jobs, more than any other industry in the region, continuing a four-year growth trend that shows no signs of slowing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Almost 30 percent of all new jobs in central Minnesota are in manufacturing, and the industry has continued to move toward pre-recession employment levels. Though the region still has 2,623 fewer manufacturing jobs now than in 2006, full recovery is within reach. If recent growth trends continue, manufacturing could top its pre-recession employment in the next two years or so.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A closer look at manufacturing in the central region shows:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Twelve of the 18 manufacturing subsectors in the region gained jobs in the last year and two remained level.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The largest job growth was found in miscellaneous (largely medical device) products (up 394 jobs), followed by fabricated metal products (up 319 jobs) and transportation equipment (up 246 jobs).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Central region manufacturers had 610 job openings in the second quarter of 2015, with a median wage offer of $14.95, 31 percent higher than the wage offer for all jobs.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The highest average annual wages in manufacturing in central Minnesota are earned by workers in paper ($63,232), chemical ($61,828), and computer and electronic product ($57,772).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Only 10 percent of manufacturing openings were part-time, compared to 58 percent for all jobs.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;A larger share of manufacturing openings required post-secondary education and prior work experience than the total of all jobs, indicating the high quality of jobs that manufacturers are striving to fill.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Some of the most highly concentrated industries in Central Minnesota are in manufacturing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While central Minnesota accounts for about 1 in every 10 jobs in the state, the region provides 28 percent of all furniture products manufacturing employment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota also provides about a quarter of Minnesota&apos;s transportation equipment manufacturing jobs, and plays a pivotal role in numerous other manufacturing subsectors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Although the labor market continues to tighten and unemployment rates remain low, manufacturers in Central Minnesota added more jobs in 2014 than in 2013.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303687</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:30Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota Occupations In Demand</Title><title>2015-09-25 OID ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303688&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2015-09-25T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>A regional theme to jobs.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Knowing what jobs employers are looking to fill can provide great insight for job seekers, students, and counselors in Central Minnesota. This same information is also useful for other groups, such as policy makers, educational institutions, businesses, and HR professionals.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;DEED&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oid/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Occupations In Demand&lt;/a&gt; tool provides lists of jobs that are in high demand in each region of the state. One of the benefits of having regional lists is so that large economies, such as St. Cloud in Central Minnesota, don&apos;t distort the demands of employers in smaller neighboring labor markets, such as Willmar and Hutchinson to the south and west or Princeton and Pine City to the north and east. Although workers in Central Minnesota commute in and out of their home counties for work, local employer demand shapes much of the job opportunities for the communities across the region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/central-oid1_tcm1045-222443.png&quot; title=&quot;Central MN regions&quot; alt=&quot;Central MN regions&quot; style=&quot;width: 25%;&quot; class=&quot;photoLeftNoBorder&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;central-oid1&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As shown in the map, Central Minnesota is made up of three Economic Development Regions: 6E, 7W, and 7E. The color-coded tables correlate to the regional map and represent just a small fraction of the occupations in demand, but provide an idea of local demand. The full listing contains hundreds of occupations ranked by relative demand in each region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;While each region has slightly different occupations in demand, there are many common themes. For instance, health care occupations are common in the top ten lists for each area, with nursing assistants showing the highest level of demand in both region 6E and 7E.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/central-oid2_tcm1045-222444.png&quot; title=&quot;Occupations in Central MN&quot; alt=&quot;Occupations in Central MN&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;central-oid2&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;You may notice that educational requirements for the top ten occupations in demand in each region are relatively low, with only one job in the three lists requiring a bachelor&apos;s degree. While this might be surprising, it is an example of how entry-level occupations shape demand.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Because they have lower skill requirements, the top job in all three areas and many other jobs found in these demand lists have lower educational requirements and experience higher rates of turnover. However, turnover is normal for these entry-level occupations. One example: after working as a food preparation and serving worker, many people will develop enough skills to move onto another job or a new career.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This is the case for many people that are new to the workforce. While these types of jobs are excellent for gaining work experience and learning the skills to attain other jobs, that also creates turnover, which leads to large amounts of job vacancies that drives up demand.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Knowing what jobs employers are looking to fill allows students and job seekers to align themselves with the current job market and policymakers to govern and establish more effective policies.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Find more &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oid/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Occupations In Demand&lt;/a&gt; information.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303688</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:30Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Keep on Trucking</Title><title>2015-09-22 Trucking ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303709&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2015-09-22T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Ideal location for ground transportation.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Located in the middle of the state, Central Minnesota is ideally located for ground transportation. The combination of the region&apos;s highway infrastructure and geographic location has created a cluster of transportation companies and jobs.
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Industry clustering occurs when companies with similar needs or interests concentrate within a close proximity of each other. Industry clusters have an almost magnetic effect on companies eyeing expansions or entrance into their region. As existing companies expand, so do the training programs for their specialized jobs, which in turn creates a bigger pool of skilled workers for new or expanding companies to draw from.
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The transportation cluster in Central Minnesota is a vast network of interlaced industries including, but not limited to: truck transportation, warehousing and storage, and transportation equipment manufacturing. Together, these three industries have added almost 500 jobs in the last year!
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While the job growth in Central Minnesota was a modest 1.8% from 2013 to 2014, the incredible growth within these transportation-related industries eclipsed the overall growth of the region. Warehousing and storage employment grew 25 times faster than overall growth, while transportation equipment manufacturing grew over five times faster, and truck transportation expanded a little over twice as much.
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
No other region in Minnesota exceeded the growth of any of the three industries over the past year, underscoring the favorable conditions in Central Minnesota for all things ground transportation.
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Moving goods, storing them, and manufacturing the equipment necessary to do those duties also pays higher average wages than normal. In 2014, the average annual wage for all jobs in Central Minnesota was $38,012. The average annual wage for manufacturing transportation equipment was $43,836, wages in truck transportation were $46,228, and warehousing and storage jobs paid an average of $44,252.
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Although manufacturers of transportation equipment don&apos;t always rely on regional customers, a bright outlook for the transportation and warehousing industry in Central Minnesota is sure to help maintain consistent employment levels. From 2012 to 2022, DEED&apos;s Employment Outlook for transportation and warehousing in Central Minnesota has the fastest growth of any region in the state at 10.9%, while the statewide projected growth is a meager 0.6%.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/trucking_tcm1045-222460.png&quot; title=&quot;Central MN employment growth from 2013 to 2014&quot; alt=&quot;Central MN employment growth from 2013 to 2014&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;trucking&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303709</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:30Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Data Driven Job Seeking</Title><title>2015-07-15 Data Driven ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303685&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2015-07-15T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Big data is here to stay.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Big data is here to stay and everyone, including job seekers in Central Minnesota, can benefit from the increasing amounts of information collected and stored by organizations throughout Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;I remember my first glimpse of labor market information in a science class in the early years of my high school career. Yes that&apos;s right, a science class. After completing the lesson plan for the day my teacher went to his office, grabbed and casually tossed a Minnesota Careers booklet on the table, and encouraged us to take a look at the jobs and figure out what we wanted to do with our lives. We looked at things like wages, educational requirements, and job duties. For many of us it was our first glimpse into the future of employment possibilities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Fast forward a decade and career and education guidance is much more accessible and integrated in the high school system. New initiatives and policies are continually trying to improve and increase information available to individuals seeking career information.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Thanks to an incredibly easy-to-use tool recently released by DEED simply named &lt;a href=&quot;https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/cpt/Search&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Career Profile&lt;/a&gt;, all walks of jobs seekers, including students, are able to obtain relevant, timely, and accurate career information.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/data-driven_tcm1045-222447.png&quot; title=&quot;Career Profile tool screencap&quot; alt=&quot;Career Profile tool screencap&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;data-driven&quot; /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Gaining access to regional career information through the Career Profile tool is as easy as two steps: select your location and job. That&apos;s it! No sorting through numeric codes and mountains of irrelevant information to find what you want.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;After selecting the location and job that meets your interest, users are met with an overview page that provides basic information about the job. From here you can dive deeper into the data by selecting one of the four links at the top and bottom of the page, where users will find more detailed information on:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Wages and the cost of living&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Current demand and future job openings&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Educational level typically associated with the specified job, local institutions that provide an applicable training program, as well as relevant certificates and licenses&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;On-the-job tasks and working conditions, as well as different jobs that utilize similar skills&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A fantastic bonus is a link at the bottom that directs the user to actual job openings in their region. Best of all, the new tool is equally useful for businesses and anyone else who has an interest in detailed occupational information!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303685</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:29Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Central Minnesota&apos;s Poultry Situation</Title><title>2015-06-18 Poultry ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303706&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2015-06-18T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Critical industry update.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;According to the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, Minnesota is the number one turkey producing and processing state in the US, raising approximately 45 million turkeys annually. Central Minnesota is pivotal in these production efforts, providing more than 31 percent of turkey inventory and 38 percent of the chicken inventory for the entire state at any given time throughout the year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The poultry industry - both turkeys and chickens - is visible and critical to many residents of Central Minnesota because it provides thousands of jobs in the region. As such, the H5N2 Avian Influenza is impacting Central Minnesota more than any other region in the state. Through the first week of June, Minnesota has lost almost 8.9 million birds on 107 farms to this virus, and over 61 percent of these losses have occurred in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/poultry1_tcm1045-222454.png&quot; title=&quot;Current losses in Central MN are limited to four counties &quot; alt=&quot;Current losses in Central MN are limited to four counties &quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;poultry1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;A large complication to this highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is the relative newness of the strain. The HPAI H5 strain was first confirmed just 6 months ago in December. According to the USDA, the first detection in Minnesota was reported on March 4; since then 23 counties have confirmed cases.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To prevent cyclical viral infections, USDA guidance controls restocking efforts of infected facilities. Once a farm receives confirmation of the virus, the entire site is tested, all bird associated with infected barns are destroyed, and a minimum 28-day composting phase that includes at least two heat cycles begins. Afterward, a 21-day cleaning and disinfecting phase begins, making the combined processes take at least seven weeks. These timeframes, however, are only a starting point and could be longer. All environmental and flock tests must come back negative before a farm can begin restocking. Depending on desired processing weight, chickens take 5 to 9 weeks to reach slaughter size, and turkeys take between 16 and 22 weeks.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The exact impact of the avian flu is not quite clear at the moment because statistics carry a degree of lag time in this rapidly changing situation. Most recent poultry slaughter data from April of 2015 actually show an increase in processing in Minnesota compared to last April - by 16 percent for turkeys and a 2 percent increase for chickens. Although slaughter counts are not limited to birds raised only in Minnesota, it is probable the majority of animals slaughtered in Minnesota are also raised in Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The sectors most relevant to the poultry industry shown in Table 1 below illustrate the high concentration found in Central Minnesota. While these industries represent those directly engaged in the poultry industry, many more industries are and will begin to feel the pinch until the outbreak can be managed.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/poultry2_tcm1045-222458.png&quot; title=&quot;Central Minnesota poultry related industry statistics, Q3 2014&quot; alt=&quot;Central Minnesota poultry related industry statistics, Q3 2014&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;poultry2&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;To help provide context, the &lt;a href=&quot;https://extension.umn.edu/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;University of Minnesota Extension&lt;/a&gt; did a report in May on the &quot;Impact of Poultry and Egg Production Losses and Poultry Processing Losses Due to the Avian Influenza,&quot; which estimated &quot;$113.6 million of poultry production has been lost in Minnesota (through May 11). This does not include the value of future lost production (due to the further spread of the disease or lost production due to barn disinfection and cleaning).&quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303706</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:27Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>School&apos;s Out. Now What?</Title><title>2015-05-22 School&apos;s Out ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303707&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2015-05-22T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Employment for teens.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Summer provides youth with more than a break from school - it gives them a chance to make money, become familiar with a workplace and work etiquette, and lay the building blocks of a successful future.
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Teenagers provide a welcome bump in the available labor force across Minnesota, especially since Minnesota&apos;s unemployment rate lingering below 4 percent for several months has left employers with fewer available workers to choose from. The good news is that Minnesota has the seventh-highest labor force participation rate for teenagers in the country, at 48.5 percent (compared to about 33 percent nationally, according to the American Community Survey).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;In Central Minnesota, the teenage labor force participation rate was well above the state&apos;s rate, with 55 percent of teenagers in the 13-county region working or actively seeking work. These teenagers are an estimated 21,500 workers, or about 6 percent of the total workforce in Central Minnesota. At 61 percent, Benton County has the highest share of teenagers participating in the labor force in the region, while Renville has the lowest rate, with less than 45 percent. Chisago (45.7 percent), Sherburne (48.9 percent), Mille Lacs (49.2 percent), and Pine (49.3 percent) counties also had low teenage labor force participation rates.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/22may15-blog-map1_tcm1045-133174.png&quot; title=&quot;Labor Force Participation Rate, by county, among 16 - 19 year olds&quot; alt=&quot;Labor Force Participation Rate, by county, among 16 - 19 year olds&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;22may15-blog-map1&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
According to Census data from 2013, 17.5 percent of 16 to 19 year olds in Central Minnesota were unemployed. While this might sound like a crisis, Minnesota&apos;s 11.3 percent unemployment rate for teens was the sixth lowest nationally in 2014. The new figures are an improvement from teen jobless rates that surged to more than 20 percent during the recession.
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Where do Central Minnesota youth find work? It may be surprising to hear that almost 1 in every 10 jobs in Central Minnesota is filled by a worker between 14 and 21 years old. About 70 percent of teens and young workers (ages 14 to 21) work in three pretty obvious industry sectors: accommodation and food service, retail trade, and health care and social assistance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The U.S. Census Bureau&apos;s Quarterly Workforce Indicators show that while the overall economy regained jobs lost during the recession back in 2012, there were still 3,290 fewer jobs filled by 14 to 21 year olds in the second quarter of 2014 (compared to the second quarter of 2006). The graphic below illustrates fluctuations in youth employment for each industry in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As the unemployment rate continues to decline and competition for labor heats up, businesses in Central Minnesota can count on young workers for relief. From internships to mentorships, businesses should embrace a new wave of workers entering the labor force.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Try Our Interactive Data Map&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Use the drop-down menu to select from 20 different industries or see all industries at once. To get the data in a spreadsheet, select the download link at the bottom of the page.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;script type=&quot;text/javascript&quot; src=&quot;//public.tableau.com/javascripts/api/viz_v1.js&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;
&lt;/script&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;tableauPlaceholder&quot; style=&quot;width: 654px; height: 719px; position: relative; overflow: hidden; display: block;&quot; xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;noscript&gt;&amp;lt;a href=&quot;#&quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img alt=&quot;MayLocalLook &quot; src=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/static/images/Ma/MayLocalLookGreiner2015/MayLocalLook/1_rss.png&quot; style=&quot;border: none&quot;/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&lt;/noscript&gt; &lt;iframe frameborder=&quot;0&quot; marginheight=&quot;0&quot; marginwidth=&quot;0&quot; title=&quot;data visualization&quot; allowtransparency=&quot;true&quot; allowfullscreen=&quot;true&quot; class=&quot;tableauViz&quot; width=&quot;654&quot; height=&quot;719&quot; style=&quot;display: block; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; width: 654px; height: 719px;&quot; src=&quot;https://public.tableau.com/views/MayLocalLookGreiner2015/MayLocalLook?:embed=y&amp;amp;:showVizHome=no&amp;amp;:host_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublic.tableau.com%2F&amp;amp;:tabs=no&amp;amp;:toolbar=yes&amp;amp;:animate_transition=yes&amp;amp;:display_static_image=no&amp;amp;:display_spinner=no&amp;amp;:display_overlay=yes&amp;amp;:display_count=yes&amp;amp;:showVizHome=no&amp;amp;:showTabs=y&amp;amp;:loadOrderID=0&amp;amp;:increment_view_count=no&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303707</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:27Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>The Silver Lining to the Silver Tsunami</Title><title>2015-04-27 Silver Lining ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303708&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2015-04-27T15:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Retirements bring new job opportunities.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Every week I read, watch, or hear discussions about the inevitable &quot;Silver Tsunami&quot; - or, the aging of the workforce - that is making its way to Minnesota&apos;s economic shore. Various organizations that are fearful of this looming, long-term shortage in our labor supply frequently request data and insight on how the state&apos;s shifting demographics will change the labor market.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Employers with great retention and loyal employees will be burdened with a large share of their workers retiring in a short timeframe, and fewer numbers of possible replacements.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Enter the Silver Lining...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;During the recession, recent college and high school graduates struggled to find a place in the economy due to the limited number of job opportunities. The tables have turned since that dark period, and business expansions coupled with a wave of retirements are creating an environment ripe with new job opportunities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Not all industries are experiencing these changes at the same rate, however. A shift-share analysis of age cohorts in the workforce sheds light on which industry subsectors have the most potential for career progression. The chart below illustrates the change in the share of jobs held by workers 55 years and older from 2004 to 2014, over and above the change for all jobs. Because the Silver Tsunami will affect nearly every industry, we can use this analysis to pinpoint what industries should have a higher share of retirements than normal.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Interestingly, the sector with the fastest increase in the share of jobs held by workers ages 55 or older was the museums, historical sites, and similar institutions sector, which increased 22 percent faster than the rate for all jobs in Central Minnesota from 2004 to 2014!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;If those workers begin to retire in the near future, there will likely be new job opportunities for current employees in that industry to move up, creating openings at the bottom of the career ladder (unless those jobs are left unfilled). Similarly, all ten industries on the chart should have a higher proportion of job opportunities for both those looking to gain employment and those currently employed looking to progress their careers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Of course we do not know for certain how many of these workers age 55 and older will retire or when, but common logic and the current returns on retirement investments tell us that a good portion will retire; creating an opening, an opportunity, and a chance for a new generation to take the reins.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Other variables to consider are job openings using DEED&apos;s &lt;a href=&quot;https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/job-vacancy/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Job Vacancy Survey&lt;/a&gt;, as well as long term &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/employment-outlook/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Employment Outlook Projections&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/silver-lining_tcm1045-222459.png&quot; title=&quot;Change in share of jobs held by workers ages 55 and older, compared to all jobs from 2004 to 2014&quot; alt=&quot;Change in share of jobs held by workers ages 55 and older, compared to all jobs from 2004 to 2014&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;silver-lining&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303708</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:27Z</pubdate></list><list><metadata><Type><Description/><Title>local-look-central</Title><Id>135176</Id><Key/></Type><DublinCore><Description/><Audience/><Title/><Publisher/><Source/><Rights/><Identifier/><Format/><Language>eng</Language><SubjectControlled/></DublinCore></metadata><Title>Electricians in Central Minnesota</Title><title>2015-02-10 Electricians ARTICLE</title><url>&lt;custom:Link urlOnly=&quot;true&quot; type=&quot;Component&quot; destination=&quot;tcm:1045-303686&quot; templateURI=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot; origin=&quot;tcm:0-0-0&quot;  /&gt;</url><Date>2015-02-10T16:09:32Z</Date><ShortDescription>Regional spotlight on this important occupation.</ShortDescription><Subtitle/><publication>1045</publication><BodyText>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;As recently as the 1930s, only 10 percent of people living on farms and in rural areas had electricity. Advances in power and technology have spread across the nation and state since then, making our need for and reliance on electricity impossible to ignore. We owe much of our progress to electricians, who brought power into almost every household in the nation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Central Minnesota is home to about 1,250 electricians, which is the largest concentration in Greater Minnesota of these powerful jobs, according to our &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/oes/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Occupational Employment Statistics&lt;/a&gt; data tool.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Electricians enjoy great wages and a variety of interesting work. Electricians are most closely associated with the construction industry, with 84 percent of them in the 13-county Central Minnesota planning region employed by construction companies.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;This leaves more than 16 percent of electricians working in other industries such as manufacturing, trade, transportation, and utilities, and public administration. Electricians employed in industries other than construction earn higher wages. Since hitting an employment low in 2010, the construction industry has been growing rapidly in Central Minnesota.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;The most recent &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/qcew/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages&lt;/a&gt; data shows that in 2014 the construction industry in Central Minnesota recorded the highest second quarter employment since 2007. Our &lt;a href=&quot;http://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/employment-outlook/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Employment Outlook&lt;/a&gt; tool provides an even more optimistic forecast, projecting more than 2 percent higher projected growth for electricians in Central Minnesota than the average for all other occupations. This is great news for all electricians, regardless of their employing industry.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;/deed/assets/electricians_tcm1045-222448.png&quot; title=&quot;Electrician jobs in Central Minnesota by industry&quot; alt=&quot;Electrician jobs in Central Minnesota by industry&quot; style=&quot;width: 100%;&quot; xmlns:xlink=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink&quot; xlink:title=&quot;electricians&quot; /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;For More Information&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:Luke.Greiner@state.mn.us&quot;&gt;Luke Greiner&lt;/a&gt; at 320-308-5378.&lt;/p&gt;</BodyText><Author>Luke Greiner</Author><id>303686</id><pubdate>2023-11-02T14:48:27Z</pubdate></list></results>