Local Look blogs: Opportunities Across the State

Each month, DEED's Regional Analysis & Outreach unit produces a series of blogs exploring local labor market information. Please contact your regional analyst for more information. 

Central Minnesota: 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.

Twin Cities Metro: Each of the seven metro counties has unique industry concentrations, which reveal a lot about the types of businesses and jobs located in different parts of the Twin Cities. For example, employment in Printing and Related Support Activities is approximately ten times more concentrated in Scott County than it is nationally!

Northeast Minnesota: With the release of December’s job numbers, the Duluth MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) ended 2016 with positive year-over-year job growth. According to DEED’s Current Employment Statistics, total nonfarm employment in the Duluth MSA ended at 133,896 jobs in December 2016, up 254 jobs, or 0.2 percent, compared to December 2015. 

Northwest Minnesota: Projected computer and information technology (IT) job growth in Northwest Minnesota is relatively low compared to other parts of the state. However, broadband funding would help businesses and entrepreneurs in Northwest Minnesota keep pace with other areas of the state, and could lead to more regional IT jobs in the future. 

Southeast Minnesota: Over 25 different maintenance and repair occupations – employing over 7,500 workers – can be found in Southeast Minnesota. Many of these jobs are very specific, but one thing is certain: jobseekers need to be well-rounded individuals with good technical and soft skills to succeed in these jobs.

Southwest Minnesota: Information technology workers operate in a rapidly changing environment, which can make the work both challenging and exciting. Employers in the 23-county Southwest Minnesota planning region reported a 50 percent increase in demand for computer-related occupations in 2016 compared to 2015, making it a high-demand, high-growth, high-paying field for jobseekers to pursue.