Even though the Great Recession officially ended in 2009, many Minnesotans are still struggling to find jobs and get back on their feet.
An analysis we recently published, Unemployment Picture Remains Grim for Many Minnesotans, finds that overall unemployment is now close to what it was before the recession started, but a large number of Minnesotans who were hit especially hard in the last few years continue to have a difficult time finding work.
According to our report, among those experiencing especially high levels of unemployment are the less educated, the young, single-parent families and people of color.
For example, Minnesotans with a high school diploma or less are finding it much harder to find jobs than people with college degrees. In the third quarter of 2013, nearly one out of eight Minnesotans without a high school diploma were unemployed.
State policymakers can take steps to remove barriers to employment. For example, the Prosperity for All campaign provides greater access to Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, and post-secondary education for parents participating in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). These policy changes would help these low-income Minnesotans be more successful in gaining good jobs and boost their earning potential.
-Barb Brady