The Disconnect
Submitted by Michelle Dreier,
Member Engagement/Gov't Affairs Manager
Many of our members are reporting they cannot find people that want to work. Workforce is a problem for just about every industry right now. Minnesota typically has one of the highest workforce participation rates in the nation. However, the people we lost during the pandemic aren’t coming back to work.
Our workforce participation rate used to be 72%. It is now currently hovering at 68%.
The unemployment rate is ticking up as interest rates slow the economy. However, we are still looking at 3.1% unemployment. Four percent is considered full employment, so we’re still short workers.
With the work I do bringing visibility to the electrical industry and potential careers you wouldn’t know this. I speak to high school youth, young adults, and unemployed or underemployed individuals throughout Minnesota and many would love the opportunity for an entry-level electrical apprenticeship.
Getting your foot in the door can be difficult if you don’t already know someone in the industry. For most job seekers the path is unclear.
Ninety one percent of construction jobs are hired by word of mouth, and I believe this is the reason those eager to be an apprentice can’t find electrical contractors willing to supervise them. The Electrical Association does have a job posting board, but it is lightly used. Our Resume Page is seeing increased traffic. Most participants find employment within 3 months. Many contractors hope to find a qualified journeyworker, but unemployed licensed electricians are hard to find.
The Electrical Association we doing what we can to help connect job seekers and electrical contractors. We are continually building new partnerships with workforce-readiness training organizations. If you would like to engage with these organizations directly, you can find upcoming career fairs and volunteer opportunities under the Career Tab on our website. Resumes of talented individuals looking to join your team also reside here. Check it out. You may find just the apprentice you are looking for.
Learn more at www.electricalassociation.com/careercenter
Electrical Association
Remember that our members can learn more at our new career portal on the website. Check it out at
www.electricalassociation.com/CareerCenter.
Let us know how the Electrical Association can best help your business navigate change.
(612) 827-6117