Finding The Forgotten Middle
Middle-Skill Jobs in America Today and Tomorrow
A growing number of jobs
require postsecondary
education.
But not all “good” jobs
require a four-year degree.
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SKILL DEMAND
Middle-skill jobs require training
beyond high school, but not a four-year
degree, including an associate’s degree,
occupational certification, or an
apprenticeship.
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SKILL DEMAND
www.Skills2Compete.orgSource: Bureau of Labor Statistics
20 HIGH-DEMAND MIDDLE-SKILL JOBS AMERICA CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT
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DEMAND FOR MIDDLE SKILLS IS STRONG
Source: Harry Holzer and Robert Lerman, America’s Forgotten Middle Skill Jobs, 2007.
www.Skills2Compete.org
Source: Harry Holzer and Robert Lerman, America’s Forgotten Middle Skill Jobs, 2007.
DEMAND FOR MIDDLE SKILLS WILL REMAIN STRONG
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THE RESEARCH
Substantial demand remains for individuals to fill skilled jobs in the middle of the labor market, with many of these jobs paying quite high wages.
Reports that the middle of the job distribution has “hollowed out,” creating an “hourglass economy,” have been overstated.
At a minimum, demand for middle-level skills and occupations will remain robust in the future, with jobs requiring post-secondary education or at least moderate-term training growing substantially over the next decade.
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FINDING THE MIDDLE
Washington state
employer survey.
www.Skills2Compete.org
FINDING THE MIDDLE
Washington state
employer survey.
www.Skills2Compete.org
FINDING THE MIDDLE
Washington’s Opportunity
2006, the Washington legislature approved $4 million for an Opportunity Grant Program.
Groundwork for providing two years of post-secondary education or job training to every state resident by 2012.
2007, state legislature expanded program to all Washington residents below 200% of the federal poverty line and funded it at $23 million.
Vision: Every U.S. worker should have access to the equivalent of at least two years of education or training past high
school—leading to a vocational credential, industry certification, or
one's first two years of college—to be pursued at whatever point and pace
makes sense for individual workers and industries. Every person must also have the opportunity to obtain the basic skills needed to pursue such
education.
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ABOUT SKILLS 2 COMPETE
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VISIT USwww.Skills2Compete.org
National and state research showing demand for middle-skill jobsProfiles of state efforts Information about national
policymakers and politicians making America’s competitiveness conversation include middle-skill jobsEvidence of local and national
demand for a commitment to investing in the education and training that will prepare America’s workforce for middle-skill jobsResources that can help
stakeholders get the word out about the need for a new 21st-century approach to skillsMedia resources including profiles
of the campaign’s endorsers Opportunities to endorse the
campaign, take action, and more!
c/o The Workforce Alliance1701 K Street N.W., Ste. 750 | Washington, D.C. 20006
P. 202.223.8991 | F. 202.223.8354
www.Skills2Compete.org
CONTACT US
