The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reports construction job opportunities increasing
Job opportunities in the construction industry skyrocket nationwide. Minnesota is experiencing the greatest construction job growth rate across the country, promising stable and secure jobs for those already in the trades or for those thinking of joining.
The American construction industry is booming – and Minnesota is leading the charge full speed.
According to Construction Dive, Didi Cadwell, president and CEO of Global Location Strategies, reported that there has been “a huge uptick” in supporting manufacturing projects around the nation, specifically in capital-intensive projects since President Joe Biden signed the $52 billion CHIPS and Science Act in August 2022. This has shifted focus on building facilities to manufacture and store products such as semiconductors, (electric vehicle) EV batteries, food, cars, and consumer goods in the United States.
This is a great time for young people who have been thinking of a career in the construction industry. With an economic boom such as this, the industry will need more people – and especially young people – to build long-lasting careers in construction. Recognizing the sheer volume of potential jobs available now and in the future, the Construction Careers Foundation has been partnering with trades associations, schools, teachers, students, parents, labor groups and businesses to help young people in Minnesota and surrounding states learn about how to kick start a career in construction.
Finance & Commerce, a newspaper focused on construction, finance, and economic development in Minnesota, reported Minnesota’s job opportunities in construction have increased by 2.4%-5.1% more than the rest of the country. The newspaper also reported that Minnesota’s job growth in the construction sector “far outpaces the nation as a whole in the past year – and that should continue thanks in part to major investments in renewable energy and other projects.”
This increase reveals a total of 7,322 jobs for Minnesota construction workers – and it won’t stop there. A press release from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) recently announced that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and DEED awarded more than $23.3 million in grants for infrastructure projects, expected to fund 946 full-time jobs in Hutchinson, Bemidji, and Princeton. These projects include:
- Hutchinson – With awards up to $53,821, the city of Hutchinson plans to construct a stormwater pond and conduct street improvements in order to develop Hutchinson’s industrial park.
- Bemidji – Bemidji was awarded $1,509,300 to construct streets and utilities that enable the development of five hangars at the Bemidji Regional Airport.
- Princeton – The city of Princeton was awarded $750,000 to assist with street and utility improvements to expand the Princeton Industrial Park.
DEED Commissioner Matt Varliek reflected on how these grants will continue to stimulate the economies of these cities, helping to encourage an economic development that will not only continue, but also maintain jobs in Minnesota.
“These investments in public infrastructure are more vital than ever to communities in Greater Minnesota, and we’re excited to partner with Hutchinson, Bemidji and Princeton to spur local economic growth,” said Varliek in the DEED press release.
Educators: Get Involved Today
Educators seeking guidance in informing their students about a career in construction, can visit the Educators Resources page on the ConstructionCareers.org website. We welcome educators and counselors to reach out to CCF on LinkedIn, and to sign-up for the CCF e-newsletter for more stories and current events.
Construction Careers Foundation: Build Your Future
Students, parents, and educators can visit ConstructionCareers.org to explore 30+ careers in the union construction industry, have access to valuable information regarding apprenticeships, read about the experiences of current construction apprentices in Minnesota, and more.