Intelligence H In Minnesota, about 217,000 displaced workers are competing for only 31,000 unfilled jobs. H
There are more than 12 potential job applicants for every central Minnesota vacancy.
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With more than 109,000 Minnesota jobs lost in manufacturing, construction, and professional services alone, a full recovery may take several more years.
“ Quotations” “This is a transformational economy. The best jobs today are knowledgebased, and knowledge is constantly changing. You have to learn how to learn and keep learning in order to stay competitive in the job market.”
About 25 percent of American workers have postponed their retirements in the past year. Most regional colleges reported enrollment increases of 5 to 10 percent during the 2009 fall semester.
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Many in-demand careers require oldfashioned “soft skills” as well as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills.
we failed. We don’t take it lightly.” –Steve Michael, Dura Supreme
“Most of the people who come through our doors want to quickly find another job like the one they just lost. Unfortunately, that’s not an option for many of them.”
“There is hope. (Businesses) aren’t just sitting and waiting for things to turn around—they’re moving forward toward brighter times ahead.”
–Kathy Zavala, Stearns-Benton Employment & Training Council
–Tim Zipoy, Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services
IQmag.org
Trends suggest that healthcare, technology, and renewable energy are emerging industries in central Minnesota.
“We’re constantly surveying the business landscape to meet “I’m not afraid to tell people that we regional workforce needs. The challenge, let them down. They’ve lived up to in the words of hockey great Gordie their end of the bargain . . . it’s our job Howe, is skating to where the puck is as managers to figure out how to grow going to be, not where it is.” the company. Unfortunately, this time
–Kathy Gaalswyk, Initiative Foundation
6 Initiative Quarterly Magazine
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–Dr. Earl Potter, St. Cloud State University