DEED Roundup – March 12, 2018

Roundup (rounded) header

March 12, 2018

DEED in the News

Construction Tops State Labor Market in Employment Growth
Finance and Commerce-3/9/18

Construction workers

Last year’s growth in the construction sector wasn’t nearly as impressive as previous estimates suggested, according to revised DEED figures. Still, construction remains the fastest-growing employment sector in the state.

DEED's Steve Hine said the tight labor market means construction firms may face challenges filling openings this spring. "Construction firms are going to have to put a little more effort into finding the workers they are going to want to bring on board as we move into the construction season,” he said. 

Barriers to Entry Program Turns Jobs into Careers
Minneapolis Star Tribune-3/11/18

The Barriers to Entry Program and other train-and-place initiatives are helping to get more people of color, women, veterans and workforce returnees into good jobs. DEED figures show that minority employment since the recession in fast-growing fields such as technology, health care and financial services is growing at up to twice the rate of overall growth in some related job categories.


Recent Press Releases

State Gains 2,500 Jobs in January; Unemployment Rate Steady

Minnesota employers added 2,500 jobs in January, according to seasonally adjusted figures released by DEED last week. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in January held steady at the revised 3.3 percent posted in December. The U.S. employment rate was 4.1 percent in January

PFA Awards $10 Million for Koochiching County Project

Voyageurs National Park sign

The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority awarded nearly $10 million in grants for a new sanitary sewer collection system in Koochiching County and to extend sewer service to residents and resorts in the area. The Minnesota Legislature approved special funding for the project in the 2014 and 2017 bonding bills. The Island View Sanitary Sewer Project will help protect water quality in Voyageurs National Park.


Recent Blog Posts

Smiling man and woman

Here's a tip for your job search: Tell your friends. They  will go the extra mile to help you and will spread the word that you're in the market for a job. Friends can introduce you to people working at companies that have job opportunities, and friends might even know of openings at their own workplaces. Read more at MinnesotaWorks.net. 

Did You Know?

Mining trucks

Iron mining is a $3 billion-a-year industry in the state, according to the Duluth-based Minnesota Iron Mining Association. State mines employ 4,200 men and women and support an additional 13,000 people employed by suppliers.