Throughout the month of October, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has been celebrating the critical role manufacturing plays in our state’s economy and drawing attention to the many great employment opportunities in the sector. DEED’s Workforce Strategy Consultants organized virtual and in-person events, like the CTE Jamboree in Cold Spring, MN (see photo at right). CareerForce staff and partners hosted hiring events ranging from events focused on single local manufacturing employers to events featuring manufacturers across the state. DEED helped get the word out about the dozens of Minnesota manufacturers offering virtual tours to students and others interested in learning more about manufacturing careers.
Manufacturing is critically important to Minnesota’s economic success. This diverse, technology-driven sector contributed $50.8 billion of the state’s gross domestic product – that’s 14% of the state’s total GDP –in 2020. Manufacturing accounted for 11.4% of statewide employment in 2020 – it’s the second largest industry sector by employment in Minnesota. More than 309,000 people work in manufacturing in Minnesota. When you consider direct and indirect jobs, manufacturing supports almost 900,000 jobs, or roughly 33% of all the state’s jobs.
“Many Minnesota manufacturers are hiring now, and they offer good-paying, family-sustaining jobs,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “All month, we’ve focused our efforts on getting the word out to Minnesotans looking for work now: explore the many promising employment opportunities in manufacturing.”
Minnesota’s manufacturers make a diverse range of products from food to machinery to medical devices. Close to half of Minnesota’s Fortune 500 companies are involved in manufacturing, including 3M, CHS, General Mills, Land O’Lakes, Ecolab, Hormel Foods and Polaris. Over the coming months and years, manufacturing will continue to be essential to Minnesota’s economic recovery and long-term strength.
It’s important for Minnesota’s current and future economic vitality to encourage more people to consider a well-paying career in manufacturing. The skilled labor shortage was a challenge for manufacturers long before the pandemic – and it continue to be a major challenge today. Even after October is over, Minnesotans interested in learning more about manufacturing can continue to find great information about this sector at CareerForceMN.com/Manufacturing.
- It’s not too late to meet dozens of Minnesota manufacturers hiring now during the CareerForce Statewide Manufacturing Online Career Fair taking place this Thursday, October 28 from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm. See participating employers and register now.
