The mission of Minnesota CRN, MCRN, is to provide valued policy, services, and resources to help individuals and organizations achieve their goals in lifelong learning, career development and business growth. MCRN provides policy and services that serve the career planning, education, employment and employer marketplaces. Minnesota’s solutions are developed through four core competencies: 1) education and workforce development policy solutions; 2) career and employment planning services; 3) education and e-learning services; and 4) employer resource services.
State Economic Profile
Economic and Environmental Profile
Across all industries in Minnesota, the most significant sources of job growth in 2004 were educational and health, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality. Major industries (by employment) include agriculture, trade, transportation & utilities, government and manufacturing. Computers and electronics dominate the export industries, followed by machinery and medical devices. Growth in high technology occupations has exceeded the national average. Updated employment data are available at www.bls.gov/sae/home.htm. For additional labor market information, please visit: http://www.careerinfonet.org/select_state.asp?from=&next;=lmi1&id;=11&nodeid;=13&soccode;=.
The January 2006 unemployment rate was 4.1%, as compared to 3.9% in June 2005.
Key Economic Sectors
• Health Services
• Government
• Leisure & Hospitality
• Manufacturing
• Professional & Business Services
• Retail Trade
State Career Resource Activities
Highlighted Activities
• ISEEK, the Internet System of Education and Employment Knowledge, is an innovative Web site helping people make informed choices about careers, education, jobs, and business.
• MCRN provides support for career product developers, including information dissemination, planning, coordination, joint marketing, electronic tools (surveys, databases) development, content development, and customer feedback. MnCareers is an annual career exploration publication for career explorers. Web site resources include the MnCareers Parent Guide with Minnesota-specific activities, a facilitator’s guide, and labor market information.
Primary Activities and Trainings
Minnesota has conducted the following activities and trainings:
• Advisory Panels
• Career Day
• Career Fairs
• Career Information Delivery Systems
• Conference Presentations
• Help Line
• National Career Information Activities
• Support for Career Product Developers
• Work-based Learning
Career Information Delivery Systems (CIDS)
CIDS are computer-based systems providing local, state, and
national information about careers and employment opportunities. State sites
for CIDS include:
Elementary Schools
98
Middle Schools
48
High Schools
428
Community Colleges
6
4-Year Colleges/Universities
4
Other
130
Primary Resources
Minnesota has published the following resources:
• Career Pursuit Poster and Guide
• Career Tabloids
• Electronic Newsletters
• MnCareers Facilitator’s Guide
• Career Development Portfolios
• MnCareers Parent Guide
• Online Resource Guides
• Real Game and Smart Options
• State Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Facilitating Career Development
Program Funding and Partnerships
Year
Amount
2005
$141,573
2004
$143,565
2003
$144,417
2002
$150,752
2001
$131,603
Cumulative
$711,910
Other Funding Sources
The program does not report any additional funding sources.
Significant Program Partnerships
• Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
• Minnesota Department of Education
• Saint Paul Public Schools
• iSeek Solutions
• Governor’s Workforce Development Council