As veterans transition into civilian life, pursuing education and career opportunities becomes paramount. In Minnesota, veterans can harness the benefits of the GI Bill to embark on a promising path in the electrical industry through apprenticeship programs. With a robust network of training providers and employers, the state offers a fertile ground for veterans to channel their skills and dedication into rewarding careers.

On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced its final rule increasing the salary threshold for overtime exemptions. Currently, there are numerous “exemptions” for employees to be classified as exempt from overtime pay requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Across the country, statistics show that more than one-third of all construction fatalities are related to falls. This continues to be the leading cause of death for construction employees. In Minnesota, in the past five years, the annual average number of fatalities under MNOSHA jurisdiction was 32. MNOSHA investigated each of those 160 fatalities. Forty of those were related to falls from elevation, which ranked second highest behind “contact with an object or equipment.”    

On May 2, I cohosted a Construction Teacher Conference in conjunction with Project Build MN. We brought in Tim O’Neill from DEED to discuss labor statistics pertinent to teachers and career pathways. Some surprising statistics Tim brought to the group.