In the News

DEED Position to Focus on Racial Disparities
Finance and Commerce-12/4/15
The state is doubling down on efforts to bridge economic disparities between white and nonwhite Minnesotans with the addition of a senior staffer who will focus specifically on assisting workers and business owners of color. DEED last week announced its search for an assistant commissioner to oversee the effort. Interested candidates can apply here.

Two State Economies, One Rare Metro
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-12/8/15
One of the biggest differences between the economies of Wisconsin and Minnesota is the thriving Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, which drives Minnesota's economy, a new study from Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance says. About two-thirds of Minnesota's economy is driven by the Twin Cities, unlike Wisconsin's economy, which is fragmented, according to the study.

Holiday Hiring Season is Upon Us
Channel 12, Brooklyn Park-12-11-15
"Now hiring" signs are up all over the Twin Cities as stores and package delivery businesses respond to the surge in holiday shopping. "It is getting harder and harder for employers to find people," says DEED's Oriane Casale. "Part of that is just because a lot of people are retiring from the labor market and there's not too many young folks coming in." 

Did You Know?

Believe it or not, Minnesotans are the best drivers in the country, according to carinsurancecomparison.com. The website based its findings on federal data involving fatal car accidents. The state with the worst drivers: Montana.

Recent Press Releases

DEED Awards Job-Training Funds
DEED awarded Anoka Ramsey Community College a $249,970 grant from the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership to train 166 workers at Dynamic Group. The Ramsey-based company is a privately owned contract manufacturer specializing in providing injection-molded plastic components and assemblies and high precision molds for plastic and powder. Dynamic Group primarily serves the medical, electronics and technology industries.

Serving Our Clients

Information technology (IT) accounts for 3.2 percent of employment in Minnesota. That’s 88,170 jobs. The median wage for IT jobs in Minnesota is $39.75 per hour compared with $18.65 per hour for all occupations statewide. To help job seekers explore IT and connect with employers, the Bloomington WorkForce Center will present a panel discussion and hiring event on Tuesday. Fifteen employers who hire IT workers are expected at the event. More details are here.

Recent Blog Posts

Christmas season hiring is a fairly small blip when it comes to total employment in Minnesota, but it does affect a handful of industries and keeps unemployment lower than it might otherwise be at the start of winter. Get the details here.