Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
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Basic Chemical Manufacturing (including Ethanol and BioDiesel)

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing chemicals using basic processes, such as thermal cracking and distillation. Chemicals manufactured in this industry group are usually separate chemical elements or separate chemically-defined compounds. This industry also comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing nonpotable ethyl alcohol (ethanol).

Fields of Energy - Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Click here to see the Minnesota Dept of Agriculture's Fields of Energy The mission of Minnesota Ag In The Classroom (MAITC) is to promote understanding and awareness of the importance of agriculture. MAITC has been delivering agricultural literacy to students and educators since 1986. Our educational materials and programs provide a wealth of opportunities for integrating agriculture into the core K-12 curriculum.
Preview the Ethanol segment (WMV: 13.5 MB)
Preview the Cellulose segment (WMV: 7.96 MB)
Preview the Biodiesel segment (WMV: 8.26 MB)

Minnesota Energy Careers website
Click here to visit ISEEK's Minnesota Energy Careers website Find energy careers you'd like, explore careers in energy, and energy industries. The Minnesota Energy Careers website (www.MnEnergyCareers.org) serves Minnesotans interested in energy careers. If you are a student, job seeker, or career changer, the website can help you research energy careers, learn about energy education options, and find Minnesota energy employers. The Minnesota Energy Careers website offers career descriptions in four main energy industries: traditional electric utilities, renewable energy generation, electric and gas distribution, and energy efficiency building operations.

Click here to see the Ethanol Career Pathways BrochureDid you know...?

  • 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

Click here to read High Energy: A Guide to Finding Your Place in the Renewable Energy FieldA 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
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota Hot Jobs in Southwest Minnesota
Chemical Plant & Systems Operators
10
NA
1.1%
NA
Chemical Equipment Operators
10
NA
-5.0%
NA
First-line Supervisors of Production & Operating Workers (Line Managers)
540
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
0.7%
258
Boiler Operators & Stationary Engineers
50
6.8%
35
Chemical Technicians
180
NA
14.4%
NA
General Maintenance & Repair Workers
440
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
4.9%
90
Mixing & Blending Machine Setters
160
2.3%
40
Chemists
80
7.7%
13
Chemical Engineers
20
NA
9.2%
NA
Truck Drivers, Heavy & Tractor-Trailer
1,520
0.3%
763
General & Operations Managers
750
-4.1%
534
Packaging & Filling Machine Operators
340
-8.9%
168
Laborers and Freight & Stock Movers
950
-4.4%
790
First-line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installation, & Repair Workers
240
0.7%
205
Shipping, Receiving, & Traffic Clerks
360
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
0.1%
209
Industrial Production Managers
140
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
2.3%
127
Electrical & Electronics Repairers, Commercial & Industrial Equipment
NA
NA
8.7%
29
Customer Service Representatives
670
13.6%
879
Inspectors & Testers (Quality Control)
290
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
-5.8%
108
General Office Clerks
1,560
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
7.6%
1,402
Separating, Clarifying, Filtering & Still Machine Operators
180
Click here to see DEED's Occupations in Demand Tool
32.3%
109
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


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