Skills Gap | US : Toward a well-prepared workforce

High and lasting unemployment is the fate of several OECD countries. But at the same time, employers widely report difficulty finding qualified and skilled workers. That used to be called “structural unemployment”. More and more analysts call it the Skills Gap. It has been observed for a long time in countries, or part of them, with high long term unemployment. US used to be one of the counter examples of such a case. This is no more the case.

Corporate Voices for Working Families has published a report, titled, From an ‘Ill-Prepared’ to a Well-Prepared Workforce. The Report says: “The labor market in America today faces a paradox. Although the United States is experiencing high unemployment and joblessness, employers widely report difficulty finding qualified and skilled workers.   “The gap between employers’ needs and workers’ skills — and the imperative to close it — has been an ongoing call to arms from the business community for many years…”   “Yet that course is not irreversible. With decisive action and a sustained commitment, it is not too late to align these trajectories — for the benefit of not only employers and schools but also individuals, families, and the nation’s economy. When business and industry collaborate with education to create opportunities for individuals to advance academically and along career pathways, business, education, and students can all reach their goals.”

As the long term unemployed are generally the poorest, “No group has more to gain from successful employer/education collaborations than low-income, underskilled workers” the report adds.

Full Report @ :

via From an “Ill-Prepared” to a Well-Prepared Workforce: The Shared Imperatives for Employers and Community Colleges to Collaborate | Corporate Voices.