Retooling Minnesota's Job Factory

Recession to recovery:
The new jobs front

May 2010

Minnesota Public Radio explores how the longest and deepest recession since the World War II era has affected the state's job market.

Employment in the hardest hit industries of construction and manufacturing is not likely to return to previous levels, while the health care industry is projected to continue growing.

Workers are forced to adjust and some are faring better than others.

Changing employment in Minnesota by sector
Minnesota's economy by job sector Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
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Voices of the recession

Previous MPR News coverage

Multigenerational living

Video 11/09: Multigenerational living makes a comeback

Estimates showed one-third of Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 were living with parents or in-laws.


More from MPR News

Tell us: Take your economic pulse

Audio from MPR News


Series Credits

Reporters: Annie Baxter, Mark Steil, Madeleine Baran, Elizabeth Dunbar
Photographer: Jeffrey Thompson
Broadcast Editor: Bill Catlin
Web Editors: Jennifer Ehrlich, David Cazares
Web Production: Than Tibbetts, Steve Mullis

Minnesota's jobs forecast

Prepare for a bumpy recovery

Minnesota's jobless rate is likely to remain high by historic standards for years to come. But within a decade retiring baby boomers will leave vacancies that may lead to a worker shortage.

Health care jobs rising

Employment in health care outpacing other industries

Health care jobs are expected to grow in Minnesota. In Blue Earth County, health-related jobs have increased 70 percent, far outpacing the state and the nation.

Race and unemployment

Minnesota #2 in nation in racial gap in jobless rate

The recession didn't hit everyone equally hard. A look at the reasons why African-Americans and Latinos fared the worst.

Interactive Maps: Racial gaps in unemployment rates

A state-by-state look at the difference in average unemployment rates between different races.

Education and jobs

What is the value of an education?

Minnesotans with higher levels of education fared much better than those without in the Great Recession -- and it's key to the growth of the state's economy.

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