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Survey profiles St. Cloud area labor force

Minnesota State Roundup

November 1, 2001

Survey profiles St. Cloud area labor force

Preliminary findings of a labor force survey are providing economic development and transportation officials in Stearns and Benton counties with some insight on workforce issues and commuting patterns. Survey results could help shape job development and transportation planning in the St. Cloud metro area. For example:

  • Most workers in the counties have jobs in the St. Cloud area, with fewer commuting to the Twin Cities or elsewhere in the region.

  • More than 70 percent of Stearns workers travel up to 10 miles one way to their jobs; 78 percent in Benton County travel up to 20 miles one way.

  • Workers who spend less than 15 minutes driving to work would consider adding travel time only if they received a minimum pay raise of $3 an hour.

  • Although pay was the most important factor when considering a job, 80 percent said employer-paid training is important.

  • Ten percent of workers in Benton and 14 percent in Stearns said their educational training is better than what their job requires. And 40 percent of Benton workers and 31 percent of Stearns noted their training is in a different field from their current job.

Kathy Cobb