Trade schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota produce qualified technicians, mechanics, nurses, managers, and specialists to help staff the region's booming wholesale, retail, manufacturing, and governmental needs. In recent years, St. Paul and Minneapolis have established themselves as major high-technology hubs. Not surprisingly, technical and vocational schools that specialize in computer science, engineering, mechanics, biotechnology, electronics, medical instruments, automotive design, and information technology work tirelessly to help satisfy demand for technicians and professionals with qualified expertise in these areas. However, health and information technology are not the only thriving industries in the twin cities. The following is a list of the top-hiring job sectors:
- Financial Activities. 140,500
- Leisure and Hospitality. 154,500
- Manufacturing. 202,700
- Educational and Health Services. 216,100
- Government. 240,300
- Professional and Business Services. 245,900
- Transportation and Utilities. 335,900
The Economy and You: Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota
With a metropolitan area population of approximately 3 million residents, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota enjoy an abundance of commercial, manufacturing, trucking, financial, and healthcare activity. Although many industries have become more competitive recently, the region's unemployment rate is still lower than the national average thanks to the cities' diversified economies. Technical and vocational schools that specialize in health, education, and hospitality, for example, are sending their graduates into growing job sectors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows some attractive median hourly salaries for qualified vocational school graduates in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area (from 2008):
- Registered Nurses at $34.55
- Dental Hygienists at $34.75
- Chefs and Head Cooks at $19.51
- Civil Engineering Technicians at $26.25
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants at $24.79
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters at $34.65
- Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians at $21.00
More than 5 Fortune 500 companies have headquarters here and an additional 10 Fortune 1000 firms also call the twin cities home, which helps to explain how the two cities are able to gross nearly $150 billion in revenues on a yearly basis. With the right degree, diploma, or certificate program from one of the area's top trade schools, you're sure to find your career niche--and your future.
