The Star Tribune reports that 92% of Minnesota employers polled reported difficulty filling their skilled labor positions. This compares to only 80% nationwide, highlighting the uphill battle we have. This excerpt highlights how we’ve arrived here:
Minnesota’s construction industry grew 20% from 2014 to 2018, said Sean O’Neil, a workforce development coordinator with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. From 2013 to 2017, the latest numbers available, the state’s labor force grew just 2.8%.
Thankfully this issue continues to gain traction inside and outside the industry. Project Build Minnesota will continue to help repair this problem and restore vitality to the construction workforce.