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Guest column by Gary Schindler

“Any business (person) will tell you that transportation is fundamental to success.”

This quote by Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper captures the value of transportation to our economy. Its value is further reflected in the current and future job openings in southeast Minnesota. In examining DEED (Department of Employment and Economic Development) Occupations in Demand data, the top 75 job openings in the region by field show that 10 percent of the occupations are found in transportation-related positions. As a valued segment of our employment base, we also see that employees are earning a livable wage with median incomes ranging from $46,000 to $62,000 annually.

Here are the transportation-related job demand rankings for southeast Minnesota:

#4 – Heavy and tractor trailer truck drivers

#11 – Light truck drivers

#23 – Automotive service technicians

#54 – Bus drivers

#68 – Diesel engine mechanics

#74 – Industrial truck and tractor operators

The occupations noted above all have a Five Star Employment Demand rating and have a projected growth rate in the future of 4 to 9 percent.

For people who are looking for a career that provides a livable wage and does not require four years of college, training opportunities are in the area. Below is just a sample of area career and technical training programs in transportation careers.

Riverland Community College

• Automotive service technology

• Autonomous vehicle technician

• Diesel technology

• Truck driving

• Commercial driver’s license (CDL) training designed for specific needs

– Automatic transmission Class A training

– Automatic transmission Class B training

– Passenger bus training

– School bus training

– Hazardous materials endorsement

Rochester Community and Technical College

• Automotive service technology

North Iowa Area Community College

• Automotive service technician

• Diesel technology

• CDL driver training

South Central College

• Automotive service technician

The jobs are here, and the training is here. Explore the opportunities in transportation-related careers with college admissions staff or at Career Force Centers.

Gary Schindler is a retired dean of student affairs at Riverland Community College and currently serves on the District 241 School Board and the Business Education Committee of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.