In order to meet our state's growing workforce needs and open the doors to good careers for all Minnesotans, we must reach out to people historically underrepresented in high demand fields that pay family sustaining wages. Expanding equitable opportunities for fulfilling and family-sustaining employment benefits all Minnesotans by helping employers meet their hiring needs, families achieve financial stability and communities become stronger. CareerForce staff and partners play a key role in this work to grow our workforce, reduce disparities and encourage equity throughout the state.
Like states across the country, Minnesota faces a tight labor market that is limiting some industries’ ability to grow. This labor force shortage is due to our aging population: labor force participation begins to drop off after age 55 and declines rapidly after age 65. While Minnesota’s labor force participation remains one of the highest in the country, high labor force participation among younger Minnesotans and Minnesotans of Color does not offset the decline for older Minnesotans. If we want Minnesota’s economy to remain strong, we must welcome more people into the workforce so that businesses have the employees they need to thrive.
Over the coming decade, Black, Indigenous and People of Color will represent the fastest growing part of our population and an even faster growing part of our working age population, according to the Minnesota State Demographic Center and the U.S. Census Bureau. However, many Black, Indigenous and People of Color who want to work are unable to find family-sustaining employment. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Labor Market Information Office posts regularly updated employment information race and ethnicity, as well as by gender and age.
Nearly 12 percent of Minnesotans have a disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. As people age, they are more likely to have a disability. As the average age of Minnesota’s population continues to rise, a higher percentage of Minnesotans will have a disability. As of 2023, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 7.2%, more than double the rate of those without disabilities, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means there is an underutilized labor pool among those with disabilities. Employers limit their talent pool if they do not consider people with disabilities when hiring.
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