2024 Workforce Trends for Career and Technical Education
Reports
Slides
Minnesota's workforce landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation, shaped by a confluence of demographic shifts, technological advancements, and evolving economic needs.
As Baby Boomers retire and younger generations enter the labor market, employers are facing an urgent demand for skilled workers across industries ranging from healthcare and manufacturing to tech and green energy.
At the same time, the rise of automation and remote work is redefining traditional job roles, prompting businesses to rethink recruitment strategies and workforce development.
In this dynamic environment, Minnesota must navigate the challenges of upskilling its existing workforce, ensuring young people have access to well-paying local careers, and attracting new talent to ensure long-term economic growth and resilience.
The local job market remains strong in Minnesota, with a variety of high-quality career opportunities available in every career field.
As of October 2024, Minnesota’s unemployment rate remained at 3.4% for the fourth consecutive month, with labor force participation also holding steady at 67.7%.
The state continues to have more available jobs than jobseekers—about 75 jobseekers for every 100 jobs.
Although the job market has changed dramatically since 2018 or 2020, Minnesota is still experiencing significant talent shortages plaguing every industry and career cluster.
This report details the current workforce landscape of Minnesota and the regional nuances of talent demand by career field. The content is intended to support Minnesota Perkins Consortia in navigating changes in their local labor market and guide their understanding of how these changes may impact enrollment, industry, career advancement, and the needed programs of study by region.
Each report includes:
Regional economic and demographic overview
An Origin-to-Gateway-to-Target model analysis for how to help move students from entry points into their field of interest into other aligned careers
Career field analysis including regional importance of each sector, key labor market statistics, and forecasting for future demand and talent shortages in the six career fields:
Health Science Technology
Human Services
Arts, Communications, and Information Systems
Business, Management, and Administration
Engineering, Manufacturing, and Technology
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
