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Workforce

Our greatest asset is the educated, motivated responsible men and women who make up the region's labor pool. Recent labor studies, completed in 2004, show that the right workers are available here - ready for the right opportunity.

  • Under-employment is a significant issue. 12,000 workers are waiting for openings in their fields.
  • Fargo-Moorhead hosts more than 20,000 college students who are looking for career opportunities.
  • Employers rate both entry-level employees and professional staff highly in productivity and attitude.

2004 Workforce Report (PDF 299KB)

   The following is a summary of characteristics of underemployed workers in Cass and Clay County. This report was prepared in 2004 by The Pathfinders, Dallas, Texas.

Underemployed Workers - Gender

Underemployed Workers - Age

Underemployed Workers - Education

Employment Skills of Underemployed Workers

The Fargo-Moorhead MSA Labor Shed (rounded)
Skills* Number of Persons Percentage
Office/Data/Word Processing 7,500 63%
Warehouse/Materials Handling 3,700 31%
Manufacturing/Assembly/Fabrication 3,600 30%
Machining/Welding/Other Industrial Machines 1,900 16%
Telecommunications 3,300 28%
Technician/Quality Assurance 3,200 27%
Maintenance 3,100 26%
Electronics/Engineering 1,100 9%
* Individuals polled may have experience and/or skills in more than one job classification.

Desired Wage Rates of Underemployed Workers

Per Hour by Wage

Percent of Employers Rating the Fargo-Moorhead MSA Total Workforce
Category Excellent Good Fair Poor
Availability of Skilled Workers 12% 35% 35% 18%
Availability of Unskilled Workers 15% 55% 18% 12%
Availability of Porfessional Workers 24% 47% 24% 5%
Availability of Technical Workers 30% 41% 24% 5%
Worker Productivity 54% 41% 5% 0%
Worker Reliability and Attitudes 28% 54% 18% 12%
Reading/Writing Competency 18% 77% 5% 0%
Calculations Competency 18% 70% 12% 0%


Average Salary by Occupation

Median Wage Per Hr Fargo-Moorhead SMSA

Computer Programmers $17.89
Drivers, Truck light incl. delivery      $ 9.99
First Line Supervisors, office $14.52
Machinists $15.07
Operators, Computers $13.90
Operators, Pkg & Filling Machine $11.79
Electric Equipment Assemblers $13.90

Training
Customized training services through Minnesota State Community and Technical College Moorhead focus on meeting the needs of business and industry. Technical training in welding, computer-aided drafting, electronics, and healthcare is available as well as organizational training in leadership and total quality management.

The Skills and Technology Center in Fargo also offers a variety of classes to meet the needs of new or existing employees.

 
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