The year 2015 was a good one for Minnesota job seekers;  Minnesota’s low unemployment rate was at 3.5 percent (ranked seventh nationally), and high labor participation rate (those employed or actively looking for work) at just under 70 percent was reported by The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). While these numbers show a good environment for workers, DEED continues to provide Minnesotans with the tools they need to succeed in 2016.

DEED’s Career Profile Tool provides career explorers, job seekers, and employers with a convenient, all-in-one information source for an occupation's wages, demand, education requirements, opportunities, and much more. It is useful whether looking for a first job or seeking a new career.

MNIT staff partnered closely with DEED business staff to build a solution that fulfilled DEED’s business requirements, and that met objectives to support Minnesotans with career opportunities. Providing project management, development programming, and database support, MNIT staff took the lead in developing this unique tool in partnership with the business.

“Career Profile will be the go-to resource for young people who are trying to decide on a career path or for experienced workers who are thinking about switching careers,” said Oriane Casale, assistant director of the Labor Market Information Office at DEED. “With this tool, they can research occupations by region to discover current demand, projected future openings, typical wages paid and much more.”

As a result of the successful implementation of the tool, further development is currently being planned to align the Career Profile Tool with the requirements under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. These enhancements, scheduled for release in the fall, will display cost and performance outcomes and feature an on-line form for training providers to submit updated program/course information.