Basic Chemical Manufacturing (including Ethanol and BioDiesel)

• Ethanol production provides more than 200,000 U.S. jobs, spurring growth in many rural areas ~ http://www.iowacorn.org/ethanol/ethanol_3a.html
• A typical ethanol plant employs 35 to 50 people, depending on capacity and processing technology ~ AURI Research Report - Talent Development Issues and Opportunities in the Biofuels Industry, Oct. 2007
• Workforce needs are extraordinary and some plants are having difficulty "keeping up" in terms of finding and retaining quality employees ~ Brian Jennings, Executive Director of the American Coalition for Ethanol
• 60% of the jobs in an ethanol plant involve skills that can be acquired in a two-year associate degree program ~ Bob Abbott, human resources manager for VeraSun of Brookings, SD

A Guide To Finding Your Place In The Renewable Energy Field
Mention "renewable energy" and "Minnesota" in the same sentence, and you probably think of ethanol or biodiesel. But there's more going on in alternative energies than making fuel for cars. Biomass, wind energy, and solar power have also experienced serious growth in recent years. The result: jobs. Minnesota is a hotbed of renewable energy resources, and Minnesota West is training the workforce to lead the charge. Want to learn more about today's energy sector and how to find your place in it? Read this web book from Minnesota West, a comprehensive community & technical college with five Southwestern Minnesota campuses and three learning centers. The High Energy publication was made possible in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

(Occupational titles are links to ISEEK career information pages that will open in a new window,
where you can study the career description, work activities, and plan your education)

Occupations in Demand for Chemical Manufacturing, including Ethanol & Biodiesel Production
Chemical Plant & Systems Operators	$41,621	10	NA	1.1%	NA	Long-term on-the-job training
Chemical Equipment Operators	$34,590	10	NA	-5.0%	NA	Moderate on-the-job training
First-line Supervisors of Production & Operating Workers (Line Managers)	$39,995	540		0.7%	258	Related work experience
Boiler Operators & Stationary Engineers	$51,741	50		6.8%	35	Long-term on-the-job training
Chemical Technicians	$45,198	180	NA	14.4%	NA	Associate degree
General Maintenance & Repair Workers	$32,601	440		4.9%	90	Moderate on-the-job training
Mixing & Blending Machine Setters	$34,254	160		2.3%	40	Moderate on-the-job training
Chemists	$66,747	80		7.7%	13	Bachelor's degree
Chemical Engineers	$72,051	20	NA	9.2%	NA	Bachelor's degree
Truck Drivers, Heavy & Tractor-Trailer	$34,563	1,520		0.3%	763	Moderate on-the-job training
General & Operations Managers	$65,508	750		-4.1%	534	Bachelor's deg. + work exper.
Packaging & Filling Machine Operators	$29,086	340		-8.9%	168	Short-term on-the-job training
Laborers and Freight & Stock Movers	$26,615	950		-4.4%	790	Short-term on-the-job training
First-line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installation, & Repair Workers	$49,980	240		0.7%	205	Related work experience
Shipping, Receiving, & Traffic Clerks	$27,587	360		0.1%	209	Short-term on-the-job training
Industrial Production Managers	$74,698	140		2.3%	127	Bachelor's deg. + work exper.
Electrical & Electronics Repairers, Commercial & Industrial Equipment	$46,779	NA	NA	8.7%	29	Postsecondary voc. award
Customer Service Representatives	$27,710	670		13.6%	879	Moderate on-the-job training
Inspectors & Testers (Quality Control)	$29,166	290		-5.8%	108	Moderate on-the-job training
General Office Clerks	$23,690	1,560		7.6%	1,402	Short-term on-the-job training
Separating, Clarifying, Filtering & Still Machine Operators	$28,772	180		32.3%	109	Moderate on-the-job training
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Employment & Economic Development 1st Quarter 2009 Median Salary Data from the Minnesota Salary Survey for Region 6W and Region 8 Current Demand Data from the Occupations in Demand Tool for Region 6W and Region 8 Projected Employment Data from the 2006-2016 Minnesota Employment Projections Program for Southwest Minnesota