2021 Transportation Supply and Demand Analysis
This report emphasizes the significance of the Automotive Technology career pathway within Minnesota's Transportation Industry. Professionals in Automotive Technology occupy various roles, ranging from automotive service technicians to farm equipment mechanics, and serve industries as diverse as Navigational Manufacturing and Automobile Dealerships. As of the second quarter of 2021, approximately 21,614 individuals are employed in Automotive Technology roles in Minnesota, marking a 1.6% decrease (345 workers) from the previous year.
Overall employment in Minnesota experienced a decline of nearly 92,000 workers (3.1%) between the second quarter of 2020 and 2021. The five-year employment forecast also decreased from an initial projection of 49,053 employment expansion over five years to 31,051 from 2021 through 2026, based on the most recent baseline forecasts, indicating an average annual growth rate of about 0.2%. However, an optimistic forecast, which assumes reductions in labor force exits, improvements in economic conditions, and diminished impacts of COVID-19 on key industries, suggests up to 1.2% average annual growth over the next five years, with approximately 172,340 individuals newly employed by 2026.
During this period, Automotive Technology employment in Minnesota is expected to decline moderately by approximately 324 total jobs annually (-0.3%) due to a tight talent pool. Nevertheless, in an optimistic forecast model, it could grow by about 431 jobs annually (0.4%). The total baseline demand for Automotive Technology talent is estimated to be around 8,991 professionals required to fill positions due to job exits and transfers, such as retirements and job changes.
