1. The Future of Engineering in Minnesota
Kyle Uphoff or
Regional Analysis & Outreach Unit
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
Regional Analysis & Outreach Unit
Labor Market Information Office

2. Current Conditions for Engineering Occupations
There are about 1,300 engineering and architecture vacancies in Minnesota (4Q 2004)- about 2.5 jobs for every 100 people currently working.
Job vacancies are up 44% from Q4, 2003 but this “recovery” has been slow to happen. Vacancies are well below the 2,600 vacancies of Q4, 2000.
The number of engineering Unemployment Insurance applicants is down 23 percent from 2 years ago- less competition for existing job openings.
Regional Analysis & Outreach Unit
Labor Market Information Office

3. MN Engineering Openings: 2002-2012 What is driving these openings?
Regional Analysis & Outreach Unit
Labor Market Information Office

4. Cumulative Job Gains in Manufacturing Since 1991 (Minnesota)
Regional Analysis & Outreach Unit
Labor Market Information Office

5. Year of Peak Manufacturing Employment
Regional Analysis & Outreach Unit
Labor Market Information Office

6. Labor Availability: Twin Cities Region
Regional Analysis & Outreach Unit
Labor Market Information Office

7. Projected Population Distribution: Minnesota, 2000-2030
Regional Analysis & Outreach Unit
Labor Market Information Office

8. Laborforce growth slows dramatically after 2015
Regional Analysis & Outreach Unit
Labor Market Information Office

9. Employment and Innovation
Commoditization
Maturation or
“the Golden Age”
Microchips?
Computer Mfg?
Correction
Expansion/
Speculation?
IT Services?
Inception
Nanotech?
Biotech?
Time
Regional Analysis & Outreach Unit
Labor Market Information Office

10. Workforce shortages or skills shortages
Skills areas projected to be most utilized by future occupations:
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Writing
Problem Identification
Information Gathering
Critical Thinking
Knowledge areas projected to be most utilized by future occupations:
Clerical
Mathematics
Admin./Management
Education/Training
English
Sales/marketing
Economics/accounting
Computers/electronics
Mechanical
Regional Analysis & Outreach Unit
Labor Market Information Office

11. Future Prospects for Local Employers
Increasing labor shortage as the economy emerges from the shadow of recession.
Wage pressure for skilled workers.
Increasing use of technology to increase productivity- capital deepening
Greater use of customized training- particularly important for small employers.
Increased diversity in the workplace as underutilized pools of labor are sought out
Communication Issues
Assistive technology and flexible hours etc.
Regional Analysis & Outreach Unit
Labor Market Information Office

12. Where can we find this information? www.deed.state.mn.us/lmi
Regional Analysis & Outreach Unit
Labor Market Information Office