Here you’ll learn all about Hutchinson’s skilled workforce development initiative and find the latest labor data available for the City and McLeod County.
Skilled Workforce Development
Skilled Workforce Development Plan Presentation (pdf)
In partnership with ISD 423, Ridgewater College, the Southwest Initiative Foundation, other community partners and 19 local manufacturers the Hutchinson EDA has launched a comprehensive effort to address the skilled workforce needs of our community.
Over $1.2 million has been raised to implement the plan.
Our premise is that the solution to the skilled workforce shortage is right in front of us. It’s not about “recruiting” workers from outside the community, but rather “reallocating” the existing human resources within the community. Specifically we refer to our graduating High School Students.
Right now about 60% of high school graduate will depart for the 4-year University in the fall, but studies indicate that only 33% of jobs in the whole economy require a bachelor’s degree or above. About 57% of jobs in our economy require an Associate’s Degree or some form of credentialed technical training.
With that in mind, we’re in the process of building a talent pipeline from Hutchinson High School to Ridgewater College to local industry.
Five core strategies are currently being implemented:
- Realign high school education
- Build education pathways
- Change stereotypes of manufacturing
- Build school-industry connections
- Upgrade the high school tech-ed facilities dramatically
Our goal is to help students find the best possible educational and career fit based on their interests and aptitudes and get away from “one size fits all” solutions.
For more information, check out the flipbook pdf at the top of the page.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please call Miles R. Seppelt, our Economic Development Director, at (320) 234-4223 or Email Miles
Sources of employees
| Source | Phone |
| Minnesota Workforce Center | (320) 587-4740 |
| Doherty Staffing Solutions | (320) 234-6123 |
| Spartan Staffing | (320) 587-0400 |
Workforce Availability in McLeod County and the City of Hutchinson |
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McLeod County |
City of Hutchinson |
Comparative Rates | |||||||||
| Unemployment | Unemployment | MN | US | ||||||||
| Year | Month | Labor Force | Employed | Un-employed | Rate (%) | Labor Force | Employed | Un-employed | Rate (%) | Rate (%) | Rate (%) |
| 2018 | NOV | 19,185 | 18,755 | 430 | 2.2 | 7,172 | 6,989 | 183 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 3.7 |
| 2018 | OCT | 19,337 | 18,928 | 409 | 2.1 | 7,222 | 7,054 | 168 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.7 |
| 2018 | SEP | 19,243 | 18,834 | 409 | 2.1 | 7,184 | 7,019 | 165 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.7 |
| 2018 | AUG | 19,348 | 18,884 | 464 | 2.4 | 7,202 | 7,037 | 165 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 3.9 |
| 2018 | JUL | 19,730 | 19,205 | 525 | 2.7 | 7,335 | 7,157 | 178 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 3.9 |
| 2018 | JUN | 19,806 | 19,199 | 607 | 3.1 | 7,372 | 7,155 | 217 | 2.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 |
| 2018 | MAY | 19,638 | 19,120 | 518 | 2.6 | 7,314 | 7,125 | 189 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 3.8 |
| 2018 | APR | 19,686 | 18,966 | 720 | 3.7 | 7,317 | 7,068 | 249 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 3.9 |
| 2018 | MAR | 19,651 | 18,765 | 886 | 4.5 | 7,295 | 6,993 | 302 | 4.1 | 3.2 | 4.1 |
| 2018 | FEB | 19,621 | 18,716 | 905 | 4.6 | 7,281 | 6,975 | 306 | 4.2 | 3.2 | 4.1 |
| 2018 | JAN | 19,567 | 18,651 | 916 | 4.7 | 7,245 | 6,951 | 294 | 4.1 | 3.3 | 4.1 |
| 2017 |
DEC |
19,224 |
18,493 |
731 |
3.8 |
7,111 |
6,888 |
223 |
3.1 |
3.3 |
4.1 |
| Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), LAUS Data; Data is seasonally adjusted when available. | |||||||||||
Wage Rates in McLeod County, by Occupation |
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| NAICS Code* | Industry | Employment | Establishments | Average Weekly Wage |
| Total – All Industries | 14,620 | 900 | $894 | |
| 23 | Construction | 548 | 107 | $1,041 |
| 31 | Manufacturing | 4,999 | 80 | $1,256 |
| 42 | Wholesale Trade | 513 | 32 | $1,440 |
| 44 | Retail Trade | 2,043 | 128 | $489 |
| 51 | Information | 168 | 14 | $538 |
| 52 | Finance & Insurance | 365 | 67 | $1,046 |
| 53 | Real Estate and Rental Leasing | 74 | 31 | $485 |
| 54 | Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | 226 | 53 | $1,008 |
| 55 | Management Companies & Enterprises | 101 | 5 | $1,132 |
| 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management & Remediation Services | 343 | 38 | $694 |
| 61 | Educational Services | 101 | 4 | $403 |
| 62 | Health Care & Social Assistance | 2,913 | 104 | $809 |
| 71 | Arts, Entertainment & Recreation | 181 | 17 | $351 |
| 72 | Accommodation & Food Services | 1,075 | 63 | $281 |
| 81 | Other Services | 386 | 91 | $520 |
| Source: Minnesota Department of Economic Development (DEED), QCEW Tool *NAICS = North America Industrial Classification System Note: Data provided is from Q2, 2018 |
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