News - Jobs For Minnesotans

Economists Say Millennials Should Consider Careers in Trades

February 2, 2015

MPR News
Chris Arnold

As the economy continues to recover, economists are seeing stark differences between people with high school and college degrees. The unemployment rate is nearly twice as high for Americans with a high school diploma as for those with a four-year college degree or more.

But economists say that doesn’t mean everybody needs a four-year degree. In fact, millions of good-paying jobs are opening up in the trades. And some pay better than what the average college graduate makes.

PolyMet Gets $30 Million Loan from Glencore

February 2, 2015

Duluth News Tribune
John Myers

Polymet is proposing Minnesota’s first-ever copper mine, an open pit project that is awaiting state and federal environmental approval. Regulators are expected to announce this spring whether the environmental review so far is enough to allow the project to move ahead.

The proposed Minnesota mine is PolyMet’s only project and, without any income, PolyMet has been burning through cash for more than a decade as it develops a mine plan, prospects for the best deposits and conducts an environmental review for the so-called NorthMet project.

“This loan facility covers our anticipated costs through 2015 as we work through completion of the final Environmental Impact Statement and subsequent issuance of permits needed to construct and operate NorthMet,” said Jon Cherry, PolyMet president and CEO, in a statement.

Mining for Jobs, and Employees

January 31, 2015

Hibbing Daily Tribune
Marie Tolonen

Job seekers, many with resumes in hand, attended Mining Industry Day Friday at Minnesota Discovery Center.

Now in its third year, the event provides an opportunity for businesses in the mining and mining-related industries to meet with prospective employees.

Marla Beaty, a business service representative with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), works out of the Minnesota Workforce Centers in Hibbing, Virginia and Grand Rapids. She said she was very pleased with the attendance Friday.

3rd Mining Industry Day Friday in Chisholm

January 26, 2015

Mesabi Daily News
Angie Riebe

Job hunters will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with mining industry employers during the 3rd Annual Mining Industry Day.

The free event, set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm, will showcase mines and mining-related companies that have job openings — from entry level to highly skilled.

It is open to laborers, drivers, operators, mechanics, millwrights, electricians, testing and engineering technicians, engineers, IT, human resources, internships, and others.

Good Environment, Good Jobs: We Can Have Both

January 20, 2015

Mesabi Daily News
Opinion: Frank Ongaro (Mining Minnesota)

The Wall Street Journal recently published an opinion piece about the environmentalist’s Catch-22. The article was reminiscent of the cries we hear in Minnesota for sustainability and for reducing our carbon footprint.

Ironically, these pleas for a greener future forget that we rely on metals to execute this utopian vision. The voices are from the same individuals who frame copper-nickel mining as a dichotomous argument — jobs versus the environment.

But this simply isn’t a fair or accurate portrayal of the issues at hand. We are all environmentalists and we all enjoy the beauty and serenity of Minnesota’s wilderness. Our state has a lot to offer outdoor enthusiasts, and with a population above 3.5 million, there are many people who call Minnesota home who have an interest in protecting the outdoors for future generations.

A majority of these 3.5 million individuals also need jobs — jobs that support their families and provide opportunities for future generations of Minnesotans. Thankfully, we can have both — the environment and mining have coexisted for more than 130 years and with modern technologies, will continue to do so as we expand the state’s rich mining tradition.