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

(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 Basic Chemical Manufacturing (incl. Ethanol & BioDiesel)
Chemical Plant & Systems Operators	$41,870	10	8.6%	10	13	Long-term on-the-job training
Chemical Equipment Operators	$32,698	10	8.6%	10	13	Moderate on-the-job training
First-line Supervisors of Production & Operating Workers	$39,297	550	9.3%	340	492	Related work experience
Chemical Technicians	$25,813	180	5.4%	20	24	Associate degree
General Maintenance & Repair Workers	$29,672	410	7.9%	300	422	Moderate on-the-job training
Mixing & Blending Machine Setters	$23,371	20	-1.1%	70	70	Moderate on-the-job training
Chemists	$56,738	80	7.3%	30	40	Bachelor's degree
Chemical Engineers	$72,051	20	10.8%	10	20	Bachelor's degree
Truck Drivers, Heavy & Tractor-Trailer	$33,138	1,810	12.7%	740	1,312	Moderate on-the-job training
General & Operations Managers	$64,107	760	11.3%	390	622	Bachelor's or higher degree
Packaging & Filling Machine Operators	$28,546	410	-9.0%	200	200	Short-term on-the-job training
Laborers and Freight & Stock Movers	$25,162	900	-1.5%	710	710	Short-term on-the-job training
First-line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installation, & Repair Workers	$47,481	240	13.2%	180	273	Related work experience
Shipping, Receiving, & Traffic Clerks	$26,813	300	5.4%	190	239	Short-term on-the-job training
Industrial Production Managers	$75,401	140	7.6%	60	82	Related work experience
Electrical & Electronics Repairers, Commercial & Industrial Equipment	$46,779	30	39.6%	10	31	Postsecondary voc. award
Customer Service Representatives	$31,269	460	19.3%	310	708	Moderate on-the-job training
Inspectors & Testers (Quality Control)	$27,914	220	6.8%	200	260	Moderate on-the-job training
General Office Clerks	$21,875	1,680	4.4%	1,040	1,245	Short-term on-the-job training
Separating, Clarifying, Filtering & Still Machine Operators	$28,772	40	33.3%	40	77	Moderate on-the-job training
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Employment & Economic Development 2007 Median Annual Salary Data from the 2007 Minnesota Salary Survey Current Demand Data from the Minnesota Job Vacancy Survey Projected Employment Data from the 2004-2014 Minnesota Employment Projections Program