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Bridging the Middle-Skills Gap: Connecting a Diverse Workforce to Economic Opportunity through Certificates and Associate's Degrees

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Title: Bridging the Middle-Skills Gap: Connecting a Diverse Workforce to Economic Opportunity through Certificates and Associate's Degrees
Language: English
Authors: Emma Nyhof McLeod, Kathryn Peltier Campbell, Zachary Mabel, Jeff Strohl, Georgetown University, Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW)
Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. 2025.
Availability: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. 3300 Whitehaven Street NW Suite 5000 Box 571444, Washington, DC 20057. Tel: 202-687-4922; Fax: 202-687-3110; e-mail: cewgeorgetown@georgetown.edu; Web site: http://cew.georgetown.edu
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 86
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Document Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Two Year Colleges
Descriptors: Labor Market, Labor Supply, Demand Occupations, Labor Needs, Job Skills, Skilled Workers, Associate Degrees, Educational Certificates, Credentials, Certification, Educational Attainment, Labor Force Development, Education Work Relationship, Educational Opportunities, Employment Opportunities, Equal Education, Equal Opportunities (Jobs), Gender Discrimination, Disproportionate Representation, Skilled Occupations
Abstract: There is a wide gap in America's middle-skills economy. On one side are people searching for economic opportunity, striving to make a good living with hard work, on-the-job experience, and a few years of formal postsecondary education or training. On the other side are employers, who are willing to pay high wages for skilled workers who can fill jobs in high-demand middle-skills occupations. Education and training programs serve as the bridge between these potential workers and employers, but this bridge is in need of repair. Despite an ample number of both aspiring workers and projected job openings, there are not enough middle-skills credentials (certificates and associate's degrees) awarded to meet the substantial expected employer demand for workers with these credentials in many occupations. This report takes a close look at the gaps between the potential middle-skills workforce and high-paying middle-skills jobs. Bridging the gaps between workers and opportunities will be critical to sustaining a strong American economy and building communities where everyone can thrive. Addressing multiple challenges at once--including credential shortages and unequal access to opportunity based on a person's race/ethnicity and gender--can create mutually beneficial gains for workers, employers, and the nation. Doing so is imperative to reduce economic inequality, continue to lead the world in innovation, and maintain high standards of living and access to opportunity for all.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: ED676639
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Bridging the Middle-Skills Gap: Connecting a Diverse Workforce to Economic Opportunity through Certificates and Associate's Degrees
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Emma+Nyhof+McLeod%22">Emma Nyhof McLeod</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kathryn+Peltier+Campbell%22">Kathryn Peltier Campbell</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zachary+Mabel%22">Zachary Mabel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jeff+Strohl%22">Jeff Strohl</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Georgetown+University%2C+Center+on+Education+and+the+Workforce+%28CEW%29%22">Georgetown University, Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW)</searchLink>
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  Data: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. 3300 Whitehaven Street NW Suite 5000 Box 571444, Washington, DC 20057. Tel: 202-687-4922; Fax: 202-687-3110; e-mail: cewgeorgetown@georgetown.edu; Web site: http://cew.georgetown.edu
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: There is a wide gap in America's middle-skills economy. On one side are people searching for economic opportunity, striving to make a good living with hard work, on-the-job experience, and a few years of formal postsecondary education or training. On the other side are employers, who are willing to pay high wages for skilled workers who can fill jobs in high-demand middle-skills occupations. Education and training programs serve as the bridge between these potential workers and employers, but this bridge is in need of repair. Despite an ample number of both aspiring workers and projected job openings, there are not enough middle-skills credentials (certificates and associate's degrees) awarded to meet the substantial expected employer demand for workers with these credentials in many occupations. This report takes a close look at the gaps between the potential middle-skills workforce and high-paying middle-skills jobs. Bridging the gaps between workers and opportunities will be critical to sustaining a strong American economy and building communities where everyone can thrive. Addressing multiple challenges at once--including credential shortages and unequal access to opportunity based on a person's race/ethnicity and gender--can create mutually beneficial gains for workers, employers, and the nation. Doing so is imperative to reduce economic inequality, continue to lead the world in innovation, and maintain high standards of living and access to opportunity for all.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 86
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Labor Market
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Labor Supply
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Demand Occupations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Labor Needs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Job Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Skilled Workers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Associate Degrees
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Certificates
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      – SubjectFull: Credentials
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      – SubjectFull: Certification
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Attainment
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      – SubjectFull: Labor Force Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Education Work Relationship
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Opportunities
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      – SubjectFull: Employment Opportunities
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      – SubjectFull: Equal Education
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      – SubjectFull: Equal Opportunities (Jobs)
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      – SubjectFull: Gender Discrimination
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      – SubjectFull: Disproportionate Representation
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      – SubjectFull: Skilled Occupations
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      – TitleFull: Bridging the Middle-Skills Gap: Connecting a Diverse Workforce to Economic Opportunity through Certificates and Associate's Degrees
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